Global initiatives
St. Petersburg College has a longstanding commitment to international education. In February 1997, SPC and President Carl M. Kuttler Jr. were presented with the Werner O. Kubsch Award for Achievement in International Education, one of community college education's most coveted commendations. SPC's international connections include:
Argentina | Armenia | Belgium | China | Bulgaria | Columbia | Ecuador | Estonia | France | Greece
Guatemala |
Haiti | Hungary | India | Iraq | Italy | Kazakhstan | Multi-Regional | Puerto Rico
Russia | Trinidad and Tobago | Turkey | United Arab Emirates | West Bank | Western Hemisphere
The SPC International Programs Advisory Committee was formed in 2007-08 to facilitate enriching international activities and exchanges through on-campus and remote programs, linkages and partnerships that provide the college’s constituents with opportunities to gain understanding, skills and knowledge critical for living and working in our global society, and for keeping pace in a rapidly changing marketplace.
Members are Carl M. Kuttler Jr., SPC President, and (in alphabetical order) Anne Cooper, Maria Edmonds, Evelyn Finklea, Tom Furlong, W. Richard Johnston (SPC Board of Trustees member), Dennis Jones, Catherine Kennedy, Patricia Matchette, Violetta Sweet, Karen Kaufman White and Earnest Williams.
SPC has received many international visitors and also cooperated in hosting delegations for several projects with the International Council of the Tampa Bay Region and Mary Ellen Upton, Executive Director. SPC has several contracts with international educational institutions for cooperation in the fields of science, education, culture and more.
For more information about global initiatives at SPC, contact Violetta Sweet at 727-341-4732.
Argentina
In May 2008, five representatives from Universidad del Salvadore, Buenos Aires, arrived to sign an agreement with SPC to develop an exchange of experiences and staff.
In July 2008, four journalists visited to learn more about college activities in Latin America, as well as education and training in terrorism awareness, prevention, preparedness, response and recovery at the Allstate Center.
Armenia
In January 2009, five visitors from three Armenian universities and the Ministry of Education and Science visited to learn more about university administration in the U.S. As a result, an agreement of cooperation that included possible faculty and student exchanges was signed with the Armenian Medical Institute and the Armenian-Russian International University.
Pictured here (left), Jim Olliver, Anne Cooper, Phil Nicotera and President Carl M. Kuttler Jr. meet with leaders from the Armenian Medical Institute and the Armenian-Russian International University to discuss the details of the agreement.
Belgium
In December 2008, the administrator for the Council of the European Union on military and NATO-EU issues regarding defense and military support to disaster relief visited SPC to develop understanding of U.S. perspective on security issues in the EU.
China
In January 2009, SPC was visited by 18 Chinese students (pictured right) from Sichuan Province who had their university damaged in an earthquake in 2008 and were studying at SUNY College, Cobleskill, NY for a year.
Bulgaria
Preliminary correspondence with the U.S. Ambassador to Bulgaria has been initiated with the goal of partnering to promote educational programs at SPC and in Bulgaria.
Colombia
In July 2008, at the invitation of the Tampa Bay World Affairs Council and World Trade Center, SPC International Programs co-sponsored a cultural exchange luncheon in Tampa for 35 high-level governmental and business officials from Colombia.
SPC study abroad instructors, Roxana Levin and Faride Trujillo take a break with students from a Spanish class at Estudio Sampere. |
Ecuador
SPC signed an agreement with Estudio Sampere in the city of Cuenca to offer intensive language experience where students are immersed in the language and culture of Ecuador.
Estonia
Estonia Student Exchange took place September 27-October 5, 2008, for SPC’s international business major students. This exchange was developed in cooperation with Tallinn University of Technology in Estonia.
France
In July 2008, the Prosecutor of the Republic, Court of Besancon, visited to discuss college activities in Latin America. He also learned more about the Southeastern Public Safety Institute and the National Preparedness Institute courses at the Allstate Center.
Greece
In January 2008, Kalymnos representatives were hosted by Provost Dr. Tonjua Williams on the Tarpon Springs Campus to discuss the availability of SPC courses for students in Kalymnos. An agreement between Kalymnos and SPC was signed to work together on cultural initiatives. An SPC faculty member traveled to Kalymnos and other Greek islands to plan a proposal for a study abroad program with the country.
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Guatemala
In June 2008, guests from Mariano Galvez University in Guatemala visited to explore partnership options. A general agreement was sent back with the visitors for review, and was subsequently signed by the University and SPC.
St. Petersburg College is the first and only college in the nation to offer a gang-related investigations specialty track as part of a Criminal Justice Technology Associate of Science degree. Students in the program now are offered a chance to participate in a study abroad program that offers participants the opportunity to explore the challenges of gangs and crimes faced by Guatemala’s Civilian National Police.
SPC has a signed agreement of cooperation with Galileo University for the purpose of exchange of experiences and staff. A truly gratifying result of our partnership with Galileo University has been the gift of about 1,000 SPC computers, which are now used by law enforcement officers (pictured above) throughout Guatemala’s 22 provinces to link different law enforcement agencies and improve record-keeping and training.
SPC soon plans to host the Dean of the Communication School, Director of the Open Learning Institute and the Vice-Rector at Galileo University. The goal of the Guatemalan educators is to broaden their knowledge in public speaking and ultimately be able to give these new skills to their students in Guatemala.
They will team with SPC faculty members and learn about topics such as various forms of public speaking, with the focus on development of critical thinking, personal communication skills and personal effectiveness with audiences. They also will exchange ideas about general education curriculum and differences in both educational systems.
An instructor teaches computer skills at the computer education center in St. Suzanne. |
Haiti
During the past year, representatives from Haiti have visited St. Petersburg College to request assistance with the training of nurses in emergency preparedness and hurricane recovery. Because of the devastation in Haiti as a result of several hurricanes, the Haitian population is suffering from the lack of health care, educational resources and opportunities. In partnership with a hospital and several other organizations, St. Petersburg College is poised to educate and train nurses, law enforcement personnel, and government leaders in an effort to bring much needed technology skills and abilities to the Haitian people.
In cooperation with the Office of the Special Envoy to Haiti from the United Nations and The Haitian League, SPC is collaborating to bring much needed economic development resources to the country. It also hopes to provide leadership and direction for the next Diaspora Congress in Haiti, and is working to establish a university partnership in Haiti.
Recently, SPC donated used computers to a charitable organization for the new computer education center in St. Suzanne, one of the poorest regions in Haiti. These computers are being used to educate Haitian children about basic computer skills.
Hungary
SPC is planning to develop two agreements with the University of West Hungary, one with the university as a whole and the other with the Department of Agriculture and Food. The goal of the agreements is to develop cooperative relations on the basis of established contracts and mutual understandings, to develop academic and cultural exchange in education and research.
India
Dr. Mungara and Dr. Prakash of India are working with SPC’s International Programs Office to explore possible opportunities for SPC to partner with Oxford Educational Institutions in Bangalore.
Iraq
In January 2008, a group of Iraqi business and economic leaders met at SPC for a roundtable. Under discussion were the roles of education institutions, businesses, the courts, civic and religious organizations, and youth groups in advancing young men and women as business leaders; the skills necessary for successful leadership; and methods used to develop skills in critical thinking, decision-making, communication, organization and professional development.
Italy
In March 2008, Fr. Godfrey Onah from Pontificia Urbaniana University in Rome came to visit and discuss SPC course opportunities for exchange with Pontificia Urbaniana University.
An agreement of cooperation was signed.
In July 2008, the Director of the Office for Civil Protection and Emergency Management of Rome’s municipal government met with J. C. Brock for an overview of SPC’s Emergency Administration and Management program.
SPC has planned a summer trip for high school students who are dual enrolled at SPC to travel to Rome and study at Pontificia Urbaniana University.
Kazakhstan
In January 2008, Kazakhstani human rights advocates and political activists in Muslim organizations and the director of NGO Media Life met with Violetta Sweet and SPC representatives from College of Tech and Management to discuss collaboration.
Multi-Regional
In July 2008, visitors from Bangladesh, Burma, Cameroon, Egypt, Hungary, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Montenegro, Morocco, Peoples Republic of China, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Slovak Republic, Sudan, West Bank and Zimbabwe, with their U.S. Department of State interpreters, met for a business roundtable discussion with SPC representatives and Mr. Andrew Hines, retired Chairman, President and CEO of Florida Progress Energy, regarding the Applied Ethics Institute initiative at SPC.
Puerto Rico
For more than 10 years SPC has been educating the police force in Puerto Rico, which now has more than 18,000 officers; 6,000 which have been trained by SPC.
In early April of 2008, President Kuttler and a number of other SPC officials visited Puerto Rico in the latest of a number of visits aimed at forming partnerships. The SPC contingent met with political, academic and law enforcement officials in Puerto Rico and discussed a number of ideas. Just as SPC donated computers to Guatemala, discussions included a similar plan for sending out-of-service computers from SPC to Puerto Rican law enforcement agencies. The group also visited three universities to discuss various academic partnerships and exchanges and there is much enthusiasm on both sides for developing close, productive ties between the college and Puerto Rico.
Formal agreements were signed in 2008 with American University in Bayamon and Inter American University in San Juan. SPC also has a contract with an individual in Puerto Rico who acts as a liaison between SPC and their partners in Puerto Rico.
In February 2009, a delegation of technology staff visited SPC. Computers and equipment have been sent to San Juan as part of the San Juan Police Department and Community Initiatives project, a partnership developed to enhance training and education for Puerto Rican police officers.
Recently, SPC began working with Inter American University to offer a master’s degree in Spanish through our University Partnership Center. Discussions have focused on the different delivery options including traditional face-to-face, blended learning (videoconferencing and SPOC) and online classes. A law enforcement conference at the Seminole Campus Digitorium also is being considered.
Russia
SPC hosted famous Russian cosmonaut Boris Volynov and his wife Tamara in June 2006.
In May 2008, Russian judges from Open World visited SPC. During the summer, Zhemchuzhinka, a student dance group from Orenburg State University, visited SPC and performed a variety of spectacular shows including to a sold-out crowd at the Palladium Theater.
Several Russian Work-to-Travel students spent the summer, 2008 working at SPC and other local organizations. They were assisted in many ways throughout their visit by Violetta Sweet in SPC International Programs.
In September 2008, SPC received the Rector of Kazan State University, Affiliate in Naberezhnie Chelny, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia, and an agreement was signed.
On October 12, 2008, an event was held at the Palladium Theater which was organized by St. Petersburg College International Programs and New Image Line, Inc. Entertainment Company. The program included Russian Ballet by the Russian Ballent Academy of Orlando, Russian Folk Dance by the Academy Ballet Arts of St. Petersburg, Classical Music by Natasha Stoll-piano, Alexsandra Borodina-violin, Nina Slyusar-Accordian and Sacred Music by the Quartet of St. Andrew’s Church.
In May 2009, SPC hosted the Orenburg “Divertissement” Chamber Instrumental Ensemble. The ensemble is one of the most popular classical music groups in the large Volga and Urals Region. The members of the ensemble are high-level professionals and all of them are real enthusiasts in bringing the best examples of the classical music to the audiences. They performed at the Tarpon Springs Performing Arts Center, the Palladium Theater and other venues around Tampa Bay.
During 2009-10, students from Kazan State University in Russia and from SPC are cooperating in a newspaper project writing articles with the theme "The USA from the point of view of Russia; Russia from the point of view of the USA."
In December, 2009, Vladimir Gerts, renowned Russian opera singer stopped by the college’s Music Center to perform with a group of travelling Balalaika players. He also made time to give a master class to some of the college’s voice students.
Trinidad and Tobago
In June, Dr. Kenneth Julian from the University of Trinidad and Tobago visited with SPC representatives to discuss a possible agreement of cooperation between the two institutions. A request for contract is in process.
Turkey
John Hesting, SPC World History and Economics teacher at SPCHS, was selected to study abroad in Turkey through Rotary Foundation Program May 6 to June 6, 2009.
In March 2009, Beykoz Preparatory School Director Leonard Durso and Vice President Dr. Mustafa Melek expressed an interest in developing agreements and creating student/faculty exchange programs between their two-year vocational college in Istanbul and SPC.
United Arab Emirates
SPC signed an agreement with the American College of Dubai. The goal of the agreement is to assist in further developing its academic programs, facilitating the transfer of students from ACD to SPC, and conducting other activities mutually advantageous to both parties. They were seeking a partner for transition to 4-year status.
West Bank
In July 2008, West Bank mayors and village council members met with SPC representatives for an overview of Allstate Center academic programs, the Multijurisdictional Counterdrug Task Force Training , the National Terrorism Preparedness Institute, and a tour.
Western Hemisphere
In September, visitors representing political, media, university and legal establishments from the Antilles, Bolivia, Brazil, Columbia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Netherlands, Uruguay and Venezuela.
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