Seminars teach faculty, staff to be 'Global Gorillas'

Several seminars at Pittsburg State University have been designed to help PSU faculty and staff become "Global Gorillas." The series has multiple objectives, according to Chuck Olcese, director of International Programs. Those include: increasing the comfort level of all employees who work with international students, promoting 2006 as the 'Year of Study Abroad,' providing a broad view of international initiatives at PSU, helping all employees understand the importance of internationalization at PSU, providing training in intercultural communication, and working with cultural differences.

The next seminar in the series will be "Intercultural Communication." The program will be offered at three times and locations March 6-7. On March 6, the seminar will take place from 3-4 p.m. in the Balkans Room of the Overman Student Center. On March 7, one session will be held from 10-11 a.m. in the Balkans Room and a second session will be held from 3-4 p.m. in the Kansas Technology Center.

"Intercultural Communication" will be an introduction to cultural differences and how to communicate with persons from different cultural backgrounds. The session will include an interactive component to help participants experience communication techniques in this environment. This seminar will be especially good for persons who have direct contact with international students on campus or who are planning to travel to another culture.

For more information, contact the Office of International Programs at 620-235-4680.

---Pitt State---