Post date: Aug 5, 2011 5:58:20 AM
Memo
5/18/2010
Dear SIT Institute Graduate Students:
SIT and World Learning are in a period of change. This is both exciting and hard. Over the last week, I have had a number of productive dialogues with graduate students, including SISTA. As I talked with them, it became clear to me that I should be communicating more regularly with graduate students during this period of change. Consequently, I want to share with you some of what I communicated during these small group discussions.
This year, the senior team and I have been focused on ensuring that World Learning and SIT will grow and prosper over the next few years. To that end, we have begun to articulate a vision for our future anchored around two observations:
Our greatest strength is the vast global network of people and program sites. World Learning runs programs in 70 countries, including 50 Study Abroad programs and international development programs that engage people from over 140 countries a year.
We can strengthen World Learning by pulling this network together into a Global Platform that can drive programmatic innovation, entrepreneurship, quality and growth across all of our programs.
What does this mean for the SIT Graduate Institute? We have a strong foundation to build off, including:
An important vision, mission and pedagogical approach
Excellent students
A committed faculty and staff
A strong reputation among those who know us
Using these four attributes as a starting point, we plan to enhance the SIT Graduate Institute in three specific ways:
Ensure the absolute highest academic quality and rigor- By better leveraging the global array of faculty and partners connected to World Learning, we can ensure that every academic experience a student has is of the highest quality and rigor.
Improve the Practicum and Job Placement Process- You are connected to a strong global network of people who could and should be more of a resource for you during the practicum opportunities and job search process.
Create an environment where experimentation can thrive- We are at our best when we are continuously experimenting with new methods and models.
Simply put, the vision is to connect the SIT Graduate Institute to the World Learning Global Platform in ways that will strengthen the academic experience while making the practicum and job search process easier.
Over the next few years, we will:
Test new models that use the platform effectively- This will include new components of our current programs, as well as new degree programs.
Streamline and Simplify Processes- This summer will embark on a comprehensive process to improve our operating systems. Our processes and systems that support the work we do are too complicated and slow. Too often, this creates needless problems for students.
When you came to SIT you made an investment of your time and financial resources. Our obligation is to ensure that the investment was a wise one. By better connecting the SIT Graduate Institute to the World Learning Global Platform we can ensure that your investment will grow over time, as our reputation continues to broaden and deepen.
I am deeply committed to The SIT Graduate Institute. We have a proud history and a promising future. We have an important mission and a special pedagogical approach to education. I am proud of all that our students have accomplished this year. Congratulations on your accomplishments. I hope that your off-campus phase is a good one. I hope you will keep in touch with us. You are our most important ambassadors and source of information on how to best position The SIT Graduate Institute for long term health and success.
Sincerely,
Adam S. Weinberg
President