Six Guilford Education Studies students and six local Guilford County teachers will build an entrepreneurial curriculum for South African students thanks to a $150,000 Fulbright-Hayes grant.
Guilford College has been awarded a $150,000 federal grant for a global educational collaboration between Guilford Education Studies students, Guilford County Schools teachers and young entrepreneurs in South Africa.
The Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad (GPA) Program, entitled “Exploring South African Culture through an Entrepreneurial Lens,” will help develop an entrepreneurial-based curriculum for K-12 South African students working with six local teachers and six College students.
Meredeth Summers, Chief of Staff at Guilford, worked alongside a team of Guilford colleagues to create and submit the proposal, which was awarded in September. “This grant truly embodies Guilford's commitment to and closely aligns with the core values of community, diversity and excellence,” she says.
Meredeth says the project will immerse local teachers and Guilford students into South Africa’s complex and diverse culture while creating a foundation for other students and faculty to take part in future exchange programs.
The teachers and students, who will apply and be selected in the coming weeks, will develop an entrepreneurial curriculum that demonstrates Guilford's commitment to community service and community engagement.
Guilford students will have the opportunity next summer to immerse themselves in South African cultures for a month working alongside students and teachers at the University of Pretoria and the University of Venda, South African schools the College is partnering with in several ventures.
Meredeth says Guilford’s students will gain first-hand experience in South Africa’s rich history and modern advances. They will return from the summer overseas with a proven curriculum that will enhance African studies programs for K-12 students in Guilford County schools and the experience to teach it.
“Guilford creates global citizens,” says Meredeth. “This grant is a beautiful example of that.”
Guilford County teachers and Guilford students who are interested in applying for the program should contact Meredeth at summersm@guilford.edu.