TCC launches the Office for Intercultural Learning

The new office will coordinate college-wide activities, including Hispanic Heritage Month (September-October), International Education Week (November), the Virginia Festival of Jewish Film (January), Black History Month (February), Women’s History Month (March), Literary Festival (April) and other offerings.

President Edna V. Baehre-Kolovani said that such worthwhile events often depend on the energies and interests of individual faculty and staff. The events deserve more support, she said.

“This office will pioneer ways to support college-wide developed and themed academic programs that address the larger academic initiative of developing social and cultural understanding in our students,” Kolovani said. “It will also promote intentional interactions among our communities and engage and support faculty who wish to promote intercultural learning both inside and outside of their classrooms.”

Jeanne Natali is taking on the leadership of the Office for Intercultural Learning, which will work collaboratively across the college with the Office of Student Affairs, Global Learning Committee, Student Government representatives and Susan James, the president’s special assistant and chief of staff. Natali was previously the director of International Programs and Interim Coordinator of the Women’s Center.

“This is such an exciting initiative of collaboration across the college to accomplish shared academic goals,” Natali said. “I believe this initiative will have a deep impact on our community.”