Dear Colleagues and Students,

We are excited to share that we have entered into a precedent-setting agreement with Tilting Futures that integrates immersive, credit-bearing global experiential learning into undergraduate degree pathways. Beginning next semester, students who complete Take Action Lab: Human Rights, a Study Abroad program in Cape Town, South Africa, will earn 12 University of Pittsburgh credits.

This initiative was championed by Pitt–Johnstown, and our faculty played an important role in designing and evaluating the curriculum to ensure it meets the University's rigorous academic standards. Our faculty members will continue to assess the program to guarantee that it reflects the excellence of a Pitt education while offering students powerful, hands-on learning experiences.

The program allows students to apprentice with community-based organizations in Cape Town while participating in weekly seminars that develop cross-cultural communication, ethical leadership, and systems-thinking skills. The outcomes are grounded in research and align closely with UPJ's mission to prepare students for personal and professional success.

President Spectar's engagement with leaders at Tilting Futures and his persistence were key to creating this program. He is excited that it has come to fruition: "We are thrilled to partner with Tilting Futures to launch this groundbreaking venture, offering students across the country and around the world the chance to earn credits from the world-class University of Pittsburgh while learning and doing impactful service in South Africa. This exceptional learning opportunity is a collaboration between Tilting Futures, a leading non-profit committed to transforming students' lives, and talented Pitt-Johnstown faculty. Together, they have designed an innovative and immersive curriculum in which students learn by doing, applying knowledge to practical experiences, resulting in deeper and more lasting learning that contributes to greater resilience, agency, and self-efficacy – attributes that are essential for personal and professional success and for becoming effective global changemakers."

Dr. Chris Cook, Associate Professor of Political Science and Director of International Studies at Pitt-Johnstown, is a teacher and scholar of African politics who helped shape the new curriculum. Reflecting on the program, Dr. Cook said:

"Students interested in studying abroad should take a close look at this exciting new collaboration with Tilting Futures. The program offers three major advantages: first, students earn Pitt-Johnstown credits through creative and challenging courses; second, they gain real-world experience through semester-long apprenticeships that develop essential skills; and third, they immerse themselves in the rich cultural diversity of South Africa. We are excited to launch what we expect will be a long and fruitful partnership with Tilting Futures."

This partnership represents the very best of Pitt–Johnstown's spirit of innovation and commitment to student success. I strongly encourage students to take advantage of this extraordinary opportunity to broaden their horizons, deepen their learning, and prepare themselves to become global changemakers.

As additional institutions join in creating educational partnerships like this one with Tilting Futures, UPJ's pioneering role will further elevate our profile and contribute to enrollment growth.

We look forward to the continuing partnership of our faculty and Tilting Futures to make the most of this transformative opportunity.

Raymond B. Wrabley, Jr., PhD
Vice President for Academic Affairs
Professor, Political Science