Wright State becomes host institution for Dayton Council on World Affairs

Wright State University is now the host institution for the Dayton Council on World Affairs (DCOWA), a nonprofit organization that has served the Dayton region for more than 60 years. Its mission is to “promote informed opinion and decision making concerning international issues. We engage people on diverse world issues, points of view, and cultures to link individuals and organizations with common interests.”

“We’ll be overseeing Dayton Council on World Affairs programming—that will include adult programming and Junior Council on World Affairs programming,” explained Michelle Streeter-Ferrari, director of Wright State’s University Center for International Education (UCIE). Streeter-Ferrari will also serve as program administrator for DCOWA, primarily focusing on adult programming.

“It certainly falls under the university’s mission. President Hopkins was very enthusiastic about the proposal when it was made last summer. It really is a very natural fit, we are complementary institutions,” said Stephen Foster, associate vice president for international affairs. “It establishes linkages that are consistent with Wright State’s strategic plan for community outreach and support, international education, and international affairs.” Foster will also serve as an ex-officio member on DCOWA’s Board of Directors.

“The DCOWA Board believes that the organization’s ability to promote informed opinion and decision making on international political, economic, and social issues will be significantly enhanced by its new relationship with UCIE,” said Mark Meister, president of DCOWA’s Board of Directors.

Wright State has had a long association with DCOWA even though the University of Dayton previously served as host institution. WSU’s Special Collections and Archives houses DCOWA’s archives, and three faculty members serve on DCOWA’s Board of Directors: Jacob Dorn, professor of history; Riad Ajami, professor and chair of management; and Donna Schlagheck, professor and chair of political science.

Meister approached WSU President David R. Hopkins last summer about becoming the new host institution for DCOWA. “They were looking for a different kind of partner, a different relationship, while at the same time maintaining a university connection,” said Foster. “It will be great for outreach to potential students and for our visibility in the community. It pushes our internationalization aspirations to a different level as well.”

The new partnership between WSU and DCOWA will officially kick off in early November as part of International Education Week. The President’s International Education Reception, hosted by President Hopkins in the Pathfinder Lounge, will be held on November 5, following a panel discussion on the new partnership.

Donna Schlagheck, professor and chair of political science, will moderate an International Forum Discussion on Iran-U.S. Relations in E163 Student Union from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. on November 5. Riad Ajami, professor and chair of management; Vaughn Shannon, assistant professor of political science; and Jonathan Winkler, associate professor of history, will serve as panelists.

Bridget Federspiel, a teacher at Stivers School for the Arts, will serve as youth program director for the Junior Council on World Affairs (JCOWA), which provides programming for high school students. Approximately 150 high school students will visit Wright State’s campus on December 4 for a JCOWA program focusing on the Arctic.

Visit www.wright.edu/ucie/dcowa to learn more about the Dayton Council on World Affairs and upcoming programs.