PaCIE Seeks Advocacy Consultant
The Pennsylvania Council for International Education (PaCIE) is currently seeking a dedicated and knowledgeable Consultant to advance the organization’s corporate, foundation and government relations. The ideal candidate will have a professional track record of promoting and delivering on international education initiatives K-20 with established working relationships with institutions within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Primary responsibility includes monitoring government, business and philanthropic trends and identifying prospects that will lead to commitments supporting the mission and strategic plan of the organization. This includes preparing and following proposals through to final submission to prospects as well as assisting in the planning, organizing, and implementing of activities and programs designed to secure support from private and public sources.
This part-time position reports to the PaCIE Board President and Executive Director and will be expected to provide periodic progress reports to the Board membership.
Compensation: Salary $3000-$6000 annually based on experience plus travel expenses preapproved by the Board.
Application: Send cover letter, resume and other pertinent credentials to Christina Good, Executive Director, 1854 Old Orchard Road, Abington, PA 19001 or email to ceagood@comcast.net by January 20.
The Struggle for World Language Standards in Pennsylvania
PaCIE has recently taken a strong stand supporting implementation of standards for teaching world languages (i.e., foreign languages) to all Pennsylvania K-12 students. In cooperation with the Pennsylvania State Modern Languages Association (PSMLA), we have actively lobbied the State Board of Education, key state legislators, and others, urging them to finally implement the standards that have remained in limbo for years.
For more information on the struggle for world language standards in Pennsylvania, download a copy of our World Languages Briefing Paper.
PaCIE board members have also given testimony before the State Board of Education:
Testimony by PaCIE President Judy Pehrson, January 19, 2006.
Testimony by Dr. Lewis Jillings, November 17, 2005.
We continue to seek to engage our member schools and institutions in this advocacy effort through letter writing campaigns and calls and visits to legislators and various state officials. For information on how you can help, contact Judy Pehrson at jpehrson@fandm.edu.
Other PaCIE Advocacy Efforts
- PaCIE members are urged to keep up with current issues of concern to international education at the Alliance for International and Educational Cultural Exchange.
- PaCIE supports the efforts of NAFSA and other national organizations to clarify and simplify visa processes for international students. (Click here to view the NAFSA visa policy statement.)
- PaCIE strongly encourages members to inform themselves about the Commission on the Abraham Lincoln Study Abroad Fellowship Program. The Commission has an online discussion forum as well as live opportunities to give comment on the proposed report.
PaCIE Advocacy Approaches
PaCIE’s advocacy efforts take a variety of forms:
Traditional
Expanding the numbers of stakeholders who understand and can articulate international education goals and objectives.
Using this understanding to increase numbers of voters who speak out for or against policies, funding decisions and assumptions that support or undermine those goals and objectives.
Lobbying government entities to achieve an end that maintains or supports desired programs and outcomes.
Progressive, a broader definition of advocacy that incorporates:
Teaching professionals how to negotiate and advocate for international education within their institutions.
Providing opportunities to showcase and share achievements in programs and research.
Providing visibility and recognition for professionals who are operating international programs with limited resources and great creativity.
Researching and disseminating information about funding for international and world language education at all levels.
Using these examples and resources to demonstrate to institutional and governmental “powers that be” how things can be done.
PaCIE Advocacy Foci
Advocating for Our Members
K-16 Collaboration Award – members nominate programs in which colleges and universities have worked effectively with public schools in promoting language and international cultures education. PaCIE’s annual conference includes:
An award presentation;
A showcase of several exemplary programs; and
A poster session for others.
Enrollment connections – providing opportunities for PaCIE institutions to connect to secondary school teachers and officials interested in international education.
Opportunities to present at the annual conference (often needed to receive institutional funding).
Advocating with Our Members
Become informed about state funding priorities and proposals related to international education.
Develop organizational positions and strategies related to state policies on funding related to international issues.
Collaborate with PSMLA by providing supporting testimony and appropriate legislative lobbying for World Language and Cultures Standards in PA.
Develop a mechanism to efficiently inform PaCIE members about state and national issues and give guidance on effective endorsement or protest of such issues.
PaCIE Letters
Title VI Funding Letter to Senators Greg, Kennedy, Santorum, and Specter.
Title VI Funding Letter: April 13