(Sept. 5, 2023)
From a historic partnership with Tennessee State University to a renewed commitment to international excellence, it has been a banner year for the East Tennessee State University Honors College and the Center for Global Engagement.
Dr. Danielle Walters wants to keep the momentum going.
Named the director of Education Abroad earlier this summer, Walters hopes to generate “a space on campus that fosters global
citizenship and creates opportunities for students to explore and grow in their identity
as a global citizen.”
“Study abroad is a life-changing opportunity for students, allowing them to step outside of their comfort zones to
expand their horizons and interact with international destinations as text in an experiential
learning experience that can only be achieved through educational travel,” said Walters.
Walters, who earned a Ph.D. in romance languages from the University of Georgia, comes
to ETSU from Lincoln Memorial University, where she served for three years as director
of International Programs.
She commended the work done by Associate Director JoAnn Doll and Program Coordinator
Courtney Lucas.
In the months ahead, she plans to create new and innovative study abroad opportunities. In addition, she wants to streamline processes and create policies that will make ETSU faculty-led study abroad programs as efficient and effective as possible.
From hands-on learning opportunities to incredible experiences, ETSU places a premium
on helping students move from enrolled to employed.
“The rewards of study abroad, both personal and professional, are unparalleled, including once-in-a-lifetime travel
experiences and the development of highly valued skills like intercultural communication,
cross-cultural understanding in an increasingly global economic environment, adaptability
and problem-solving, as well as greater empathy and understanding,” she said. “These
in-demand skills can differentiate students from the rest of the applicant pool in
their future job searches and prepare them for the global workforce.”