A contingent of NMC staff and faculty recently attended the 50th Annual Community Colleges for International Development (CCID) Conference at the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson, Arizona.

The group representing NMC included:

• Dr. Nick Nissley (NMC President)

• Jim Bensley (Director of International Services and Service Learning)

• Marina Call (International Services and Service Learning/Student Success Coach)

• Christa Abdul-Karim (Extended Education Services Program Coordinator)

• Dr. Sarah Montgomery-Richards (Adjunct Philosophy instructor)

Swoop also tagged along for yet another professional development opportunity this year. While the rest of the team focused on global partnerships, our favorite Northern Hawk Owl kept busy in the Southwest. Please read Sarah’s reflection on the event below. Sarah’s participation in the event was sponsored by CIE.

What was the name of the conference/PD opportunity you attended?

Community Colleges for International Development (CCID)

When and where did the event take place?

Tucson, AZ Feb 27-March 1

Please share details from a memorable keynote speaker, conference session, or something else notable from the event.

CCID provides higher education professionals with the unique opportunity to explore international education alongside partners from around the world. Through participation, we are able to share our own experiences, gain valuable insights and inspiration from peers, and expand our toolboxes of resources to better serve our learners and communities. The connections forged at this conference will prove instrumental in advancing our work and fostering collaborations that extend well into the future.

How likely are you to recommend this opportunity to a colleague?

Very Likely

Do you have any big takeaways that you’ll be applying to your pedagogy in the near future?

By incorporating global case studies, internationally-focused modules, and recorded guest speaker sessions, my World Religions courses will expose students to diverse perspectives and lived experiences from communities around the world. This cross-cultural foundation directly prepares study abroad participants with the cultural competency needed to engage meaningfully with the communities they visit, while ensuring that students who do not study abroad still develop the intercultural skills essential for navigating an increasingly interconnected world.

Is there anything else you’d like CIE or your colleagues at NMC to know about this experience?

As a regular presenter and this year’s co-lead of the Faculty Forum, my involvement with CCID has grown into an active leadership role that extends well beyond passive professional development. Next year, I am slotted to take the lead on the Faculty Forum, a responsibility that makes consistent annual attendance essential to fulfilling my commitments to this international conference. I hope the committee will consider this trajectory of leadership and ongoing commitment as context for future funding requests outside of the standard every other year cycle.