Celebration of the Legacy of Cultural Exchanges: A Story Telling Event

Join the World Affairs Council of Maine and the Maine Chapter of the Fulbright Association to celebrate stories that showcase the impact and value of international education programs, people to people diplomacy, and global outreach in Maine and around the world. Our Council's long-standing International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP) and the Maine Chapter of the Fulbright Association represent the two flagship programs of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. State Department. 

In addition to our stellar cast of storytellers from around our state, we are thrilled to have representation from Washington, D.C. as we'll be joined by Susan R. Crystal, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Professional and Cultural Exchanges, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and Shaz Akram, Deputy Director of Fulbright Association.

This event is free to World Affairs Council of Maine members. Tickets for the general public available as well. For those with an ability to pay, we offer a suggested donation ticket in support of WACM programming. Registration required (registrants will receive Zoom login information by email prior to the event).

Please complete one registration per computer or device being used to access the Zoom webinar. For example, if you and your partner will each login from your own devices, please complete a registration for each. 

Our guest speakers:

Susan Crystal, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Professional and Cultural Exchanges, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Washington, DC

Shaz Akram, Deputy Director, Fulbright Association, Washington, DC

Karen Massey, retired attorney and social studies teacher, Freeport, ME: 

Karen's story will focus on the positive impact international visitors have on students' understanding of the world at large.  

Rick Peterson, PhD, Professor of Environmental Studies, University of New England:

Rick’s story will focus on how his Fulbright experience provided valuable building materials with which to build bridges between his African heritage and his American experience, and to share the crossing of those bridges with his colleagues and students. 

Dean Shankle, PhD, Town Manager, Town of Amherst, NH:

Dean’s story will focus on how his Fulbright award experience influenced the development of an ongoing public health initiative in Moldova.

Nancy Smith, Executive Director, GrowSmart Maine:

Nancy's story will focus on the connections she has noticed between GrowSmart Maine's work and the value of community for so many of the international visitors she has met through the International Visitor Leadership Program.  

Michael Socolow, PhD, Associate Professor of Communication and Journalism, University of Maine, Orono:

Mike’s story will focus on how his Fulbright award provided an opportunity to extend his transnational radio research, connect with Australian scholars, provide his family with new international experiences, and create new opportunities for ongoing exchange with Australian organizations. 

Click here for full biographies of each speaker.