Tripses fulbright projects

The Fulbright program was created in 1946 after World War II for the “promotion of international good will through the exchange of students in the fields of education, culture and science.” This semester in Ukraine on a Fulbright has been a once in a lifetime experience for me. The opportunity to live in another culture has enriched my perspectives in so many ways. My most vivid impression however, will be of the incredible Ukrainian generosity, kindness, and hospitality I have experienced during my time here. It has truly changed my life and I will never be the same.

My Fulbright proposal was to promote school leadership preparation in Ukraine, which does not formally exist in the current system. So from the beginning I recognized that accomplishing the goals of my Fulbright proposal would be more complex than it would have been if I’d taught a class, given a final and posted the grades. Much of my work here is a work in progress that will continue via technology and hopefully future visits to Ukraine.

Following are the projects I have worked on while at the Vinnytsia Pedagogical University, collaborators for each project, and status as I leave Ukraine in May 2012.

1. Vinnytsia Dean Leadership Project involves four interrelated stages: identification of Ukrainian higher education leadership needs, research on leadership best practices, determination always to apply best practice in Vinnytsia, and an implementation/ evaluation plan. I intend to return to Vinnytsia fall 2012 to continue this work and will write a Fulbright proposal to return to Ukraine for 2-6 during the summer of 2014. Dean Tamara Yamchynska is the primary collaborator on this project.

2. Creation and implementation of a process to support Vinnytsia students to apply for Fulbright and other study abroad programs. This project involves the creation of a testimonial in Russian by Anastasia Chermetskaya, herself a Fulbrighter, on her experiences with Fulbright. Anastasia’s Fulbright involved two semesters at Illinois Central College in East Peoria, Illinois. Her testimonial will be posted on YouTube for Vinnytsia students to view. Materials will be made available to students to review the Fulbright application process. Additionally, plans are underway to develop a preparationprocess to support students in the proposal. Bradley University is starting an online class for this purpose, which I plan to use as a foundation for the process in Vinnytsia. Prior to submission of proposals, there will be a final review process and revision of proposals prior to submission. Svetlana Kuzmina, another Fulbrighter, is the primary collaborator on this project.

3. Back in Illinois, I am the Executive Director of Illinois Women in Educational Leadership. One of the missions of IWEL is to promote women into positions of educational leadership. As part of that mission, I am hopeful that some kind of partnership will emerge between IWEL and Ukrainian women school leaders. On April 28, 2012, educators from Vinnytsia Pedagogical University have been invited to my apartment to Skype with women attending the annual Dare to Be Great conference in Normal, Illinois. From this experience Ukrainian women school leaders can better understand our organization and the benefits it provides women. I will follow up when I return in the fall as seems appropriate.

4. Fulbright provides funding for materials to give to the host institution, which will be used to purchase a Smartboard to be used by faculty at the Pedagogical University. As a former principal and now professor who prepares principals, I recognize the critical importance of careful planning for implementation of instructional technology. Working with Dean Tamara, processes for implementation of the instructional technology, professional development for teachers, and evaluation of uses will be created. Svetlana Kuzmina will be involved in writing a Fulbright grant for the training. I will follow up on this project when I return in fall 2012.

5. My Fulbright proposal was to promote school leadership preparation. Recently, I met Dr. Svetlana Kalashnikova, Deputy Director of Higher Education at the National Academy of Pedagogical Sciences of Ukraine. Based upon several conversations we believe we have similar research and professional interests. We are scheduled to meet May 8 in Kyiv to develop further plans. Hopefully, she and I will be in contact after I return to the U.S. I will follow up on this project when I return in fall 2012.

Each of these projects is well under way and yet not completed. Such is the work of leadership – one thing leads to another direction towards new opportunities. I look forward to continuing rich and productive relationships with my Ukrainian friends and colleagues in Vinnytsia.