University of Maryland University College President Selected to Promote United States Higher Education Initiative

U.S. Department of Education chooses local university president to represent
state of Maryland on international visit for higher education partnerships

For Immediate Release:
August 9, 2007

Media Contacts:
Kerry O’Neill
410-902-5035
koneill@mghus.com
 
Ashley Hrycyk
410-504-8304
ahrycyk@mghus.com

ADELPHI, Md. (Aug. 9, 2007) – University of Maryland University College (UMUC) announced today that Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings has selected Dr. Susan Aldridge, UMUC’s president, to join a high-profile delegation of seven other U.S. college and university presidents on a visit to Latin America this month. Its mission is to discuss the importance of higher education partnerships and cooperation between other nations. Dr. Aldridge is the only college and university president in the state of Maryland to participate in this higher education initiative.

“The University System of Maryland is an economic engine and center of learning for our state,” said Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley. “Building partnerships abroad has become increasingly important to encourage a two-way social, cultural, and academic exchange. I’m deeply honored to have Maryland represented in this vital delegation to make higher education more accessible to the Latin American population.”

While in Latin America, the delegation will meet with students, and university, government and business leaders, carrying the message that the United States welcomes international students to study in this country, and encourages partnerships and exchanges with U.S. postsecondary institutions.
The criteria for choosing candidates for the delegation include the institution’s record and interest in international education, its geographic diversity and the president’s ability to represent her/his sector of American higher education.  The college and university presidents will act as ambassadors for U.S. higher education as a whole.
Under the direction of Dr. Aldridge, the University of Maryland University College has continually used technology to enhance education in developing countries and is currently offering degree programs in more than 20 countries throughout the world. UMUC offers international students the flexibility to study and complete their degrees in a classroom or online.

“Dr. Aldridge’s extensive experience in international affairs makes her an excellent candidate for our trip to Latin America,” said Secretary Spellings. “She has traveled to more than 100 countries and has established educational programs overseas while working with universities to internationalize their campuses and their curriculum.”

The delegation to Latin America is the third high-level delegation of college and university presidents sent to a key world region to promote the value of U.S. higher education and engage in discussions on the future and importance of international collaborations.  Last fall, Secretary Spellings led the first delegation to Japan, Korea and China. Additionally, Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Karen Hughes led a similar group to India earlier this year.     

“I am thrilled to be able to serve on this historic delegation,” said Aldridge. “Latin American students represent only 12 percent of all international students studying the U.S., and I am eager to help spread the word about the opportunities available in U.S. higher education and at UMUC in particular.”

About University of Maryland University College
UMUC is the second-largest university in Maryland, serving 90,000 students and offering undergraduate and graduate programs online and on-site. As demand grows for flexible, high-quality degree programs, the Board of Regents projects that UMUC’s enrollments will grow by 101 percent by 2015. In addition, UMUC is the 12th largest degree-granting university in the United States, is one of the largest public providers of online higher education in the nation, and is a unique provider of degrees at the bachelors, masters and doctoral levels related to homeland security. The university offers classroom-based instruction at 20 locations throughout the Washington, D.C. metro area.

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