To connect with the next generation of prospective IEP students, we partnered with URI Admissions to host two webinars, one in October and one in November. Two different panels of current IEP students, IEP alumni and IEP personnel helped out at both of these events. More virtual engagement opportunities like this will be planned for the spring. Representatives from the IEP were also at each of the in-person Open Houses that took place this year, a welcome opportunity following the remote-only options last year.

In addition to meeting with interested individuals both virtually and in person, IEP faculty and staff have also been working with instructors both on campus and remotely to speak with whole classes. After presenting at the larger EGR 105 lectures in early September, IEP Executive Director Dr. Berka, other IEP directors and many of our IEP ambassadors have successfully visited with each and every one of the 15 different EGR 105 recitations over the course of this semester. Through this exposure and by laying out how students can catch up on language classes if they have not yet started, we have noted an uptick in interest and enrollment in our program. Additionally, a group of nine high school juniors and seniors studying German at Cranston High School East came to visit URI in mid November. With their teacher, Baerbel Tully, they heard from IEP Coordinator Melissa Schenck, IEP/ISD Education Abroad Advisor Alyssa Poey, and Dr. Berka about the different language options and signature international programs available to them here at URI. Afterwards, they met with a pair of our students (one from the German IEP, one a German exchange student) to chat and take a personalized tour of the Fascitelli Center. Stopping by the library, the group got to check out the URI Makerspace and then ended their day in the Language Center in Swan Hall. There, they had some more time for Q&A with two more of our students (one GIEPer and one from German International Computer Science) and Dr. Eric Young, a lecturer of Arabic and French, who welcomed them into this newly renovated space.

Regarding off-campus presentations, Dr. Lars Erickson, director of the French IEP, has traveled to a few different local high schools to visit with French classes in particular, with plans to visit more in the near future. In connecting with these students, he hopes to provide them with ample reasons to continue their French studies at URI. Meanwhile, Melissa Schenck scheduled a presentation at Wickford Middle School for December 10th that featured an entourage of guest speakers, including both IEP students and several alumni. Believing that it’s never too early to learn about the IEP, Melissa provided an overview of the program to the entire eighth grade at WMS to drum up interest in the IEP as well as for careers in STEM and languages. She then broke this larger group into smaller ones, allowing presenters more face time with students and more personalized, interactive activities for students in this age group.

In September, the IEP was able to invite students to the IEP LLC for its typical freshman orientations. Melissa and the IEP ambassadors also met with interested freshmen for an IEP drop-in session in the Hillside residence hall to answer any questions they might have. For current students, Melissa also hosted two social activities open to the entire IEP/IBP/ICSP and IEP LLC communities. The first was a game night, which took place in Fascitelli on November 8th and had about 30 participants. Attendees had access to a variety of different board games, video games and snacks. At the end of the event, everyone was still there and no one could believe that it was time to leave! The second activity was a 3-hour challenge course outing on November 20th. This had 11 participants, including Melissa, Alyssa Poey and a mix of IEP students and German exchange students. It proved to be a fun opportunity for these students and staff from different programs and backgrounds to learn how to communicate better with each other and to work together to solve challenges. Bonus points: the challenges got our engineers talking about physics concepts on the weekend!