- Posted in All University
- Category: Campus News
LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Pa. - Lincoln University students Christene Harris, Shaniece Brown, and Khanina Stanford traveled the world this summer thanks to $23,300 in financial assistance from the Vira I. Heinz (VIH) Program for Women in Global Leadership scholarship.
Christene Harris, Khanina Stanford, and Shaniece Brown
“This trip has made me fall in love with traveling,” said Stanford, an accounting major from Sicklerville, New Jersey, who studied at the American College of Thessaloniki (ACT) in Greece. Stanford will be working with ACT on study abroad fairs at Lincoln and other nearby schools.
Christene Harris, 2019 recipient of Vira I. Heinz scholarship
“I am looking forward to sharing more information about study abroad here on Lincoln’s campus, as well as telling others about the VIH program and scholarship.”
Since 2011, 25 Lincoln University students have participated in Vira I. Heinz Women in Global Leadership Program. The VIH program prepares women for tomorrow's global challenges by offering a unique opportunity for international experiences, leadership development and community service. Universities and colleges across Pennsylvania participate in the VIH Program, which provides three first-time woman travelers from each institution a scholarship of at least $5,000 to put toward the cost of an international experience of their choosing.
Shaniece Brown, a mass communication major from York, participated in the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) Summer Spanish Language Program in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Shaniece Brown, 2019 recipient of Vira I. Heinz scholarship
"…I was able to meet people from all over the world! Classmates became friends, and I even stayed with a family while in Buenos Aires who helped me with my Spanish,” said Brown. “Overall, it was an amazing experience. I hope more young women at Lincoln take advantage of through the Vira I. Heinz Global Women Leadership Program!"
Christene Harris, a computer science major from Wilmington, Delaware, participated in an eight-week internship abroad program in Guayaquil, Ecuador. She worked at a cultural center where she taught a course on American history and tutored students learning English. Harris took Spanish language classes to improve her conversational skills as well as taking a class to learn about the culture and society of Ecuador. In her free time, Harris said she explored the biodiverse country visiting places such as the Equator, the Andes mountains, the Amazon rainforest, the Galápagos Islands, and many large cities.
In March, participants met in Pittsburgh for a pre-departure retreat to prepare for their first international experience by developing global perspectives and international competencies.
Khanina Stanford, 2019 recipient of Vira I. Heinz scholarship
The Office of International Programs is hosting an interest meeting to discuss the program and opportunities to apply for the 2019-2020 cohort.
Interest Meeting: Thursday August 29, 2019 at 4 – 5pm
Location: Langston Hughes Memorial Library
Lincoln University VIH Application Deadline: October 15, 2019
To learn more, contact Dr. Dafina Blacksher Diabate, director of the Office of International Programs, at ddiabate@lincoln.edu or 484-365-7785.
--Terrance J. Young, M.Div.