Photo courtesy of Texas A&M University-Texarkana.
TIEC is proud of all 31 of its member universities. In the #WhyTIEC series, we sit down with members of our Operating Council, and discuss what makes their Texas university so special. For our inaugural series we spoke with Jennifer Felps, the Director of International Studies at Texas A&M University-Texarkana. For our inaugural series we spoke with Jennifer Felps, the Director of International Studies at Texas A&M University-Texarkana.
1. Why TIEC?
Jennifer Felps (JF): “TIEC is a contributing factor to Texas A&M University Texarkana’s international efforts. They provide guidance on best practices in the advancement of our international student recruitment and study abroad efforts, while also providing an invaluable networking opportunity with other public universities across the state.”
2. Tell us a little bit about your Texas university, and what makes it so special?
JF: “Texas A&M University-Texarkana is known for its academic excellence, community leadership, and student success. We are a small university located in Northeast Texas. We have a sprawling 365-acre campus located on a scenic landscape.
New 32 million dollar academic and 11 million recreational center buildings will be complete in 2018. Our academic programs are spread between two colleges: the college of business, engineering, and technology & the college of arts sciences and education. We are a twin city which makes us known as a city that is twice as nice.”
3. What are the priorities and/or strategic goals for international programs at your university?
JF: “Our main international priories are to increase our international student representation, to promote on-campus intercultural competency, and to build partnerships with universities abroad. We also want to increase study abroad opportunities for domestic students, and to raise awareness of active global citizenry.”
4. What is the utility of having a Texas-wide consortium for your university?
JF: “It helps to be able to network with like-minded individuals that have similar institutional goals. Being kept up to date with trending international topics in the state of Texas and beyond is great!”
5. Is there anything else you’d like to add?
JF: “International education is a multi-faceted area of higher education that energizes local, national, and international communities to embrace global citizenry. I am excited to lead this effort at Texas A&M University-Texarkana and I’m thankful to have TIEC as an ally in this effort.”