Building bonds through shared space
On October 8, 2022, ten high school and community college educators from across the U.S. congregated on the UW–Madison campus to participate in a workshop as part of the Engaging Eurasia Teacher Fellowship (EETF) program. Coordinated by Title VI international area studies centers at UW–Madison, Harvard University, The Ohio State University, and the University of Pittsburgh, the EETF is a professional development program that provides educators the opportunity to spend one academic year undertaking an in-depth study of the people, histories, cultures, and current events of Eurasia.
This year, UW–Madison’s Center for Russia, East Europe, and Central Asia (CREECA) hosted the EETF workshop. Eight fellows traveled to Madison for the workshop, while two participated virtually. UW–Madison’s Office of the Registrar generously lent CREECA their hybrid conference room for the event, which allowed the remote attendees to interact with their counterparts in Madison. Not to mention that the 11th-floor conference room overlooking lakes Mendota, Monona, and Wingra offered the visiting attendees one of the most scenic views in Madison.
It is partnerships across the campus and community, like this, that strengthen DEM. Whether it be sharing space or sharing a perspective, connecting with those outside our immediate groups or partnerships builds a stronger campus and creates potential pathways for future connection.