Danielle Walters is excited to join ETSU’s study abroad programme and hopes to continue its growth.
Walters accepted the offer earlier this summer and started the position this school year. “I could see that it was such an opportunity to join an amazing team and help grow a programme that’s already really robust and significant,” said Walters.
Walters is looking forward to working with Joan Doll, Assistant Director of Study Abroad, and Courtney Lucas, Education Abroad Coordinator. “They’ve been running the whole show. . increasing the capacity of study abroad and making the opportunity available to so many more students,” said Walters, “They’ve grown the programme so much, I’m in awe of them.
Hoping to keep the momentum going, Walters will begin to streamline the department. Walters said her main goal for the year is to make things simpler and clearer so that faculty can more easily create programmes for students.
Walters said her mission is to create a space and environment that fosters global citizenship for students. “I want us to think bigger and think about how we fit into the world and how important it is that we all work together and understand each other,” Walters said.
Walters previously worked at Lincoln Memorial University for three years as director of international programmes. She said coming to ETSU from a smaller university was an adjustment.
As she settles in at ETSU, Walters is getting to know the faculty and the courses they want to teach to students from different countries. Walters said, “I’m so excited, it’s such a robust portfolio of international opportunities.
When asked, “Why study abroad?” Walters cited building empathy as one of the main reasons. “When we have a powerful experience like this, it helps us realise that things are different in other parts of the world,” Walters said. “People are the same and have the same needs.”
