VOLUME XII NUMBER 6 SPRING
A PUBLICATION OF THE SCHOOL OF INTERNATIONAL STUDIES AT SAINT MICHAEL’S
Making the Most of Saint Michael’s
from four different Saint Michael’s pro-
W
hen Rikichi Izumiya first came
to Saint Michael’s School of grams and has earned both a bachelor of
International Studies in 1997 science in business and master of sci-
to study English, he did not expect that ence in administration from the
he would still be here seven College. Sitting recently in
years later or that he would his office in the Klein build-
be presenting his business ing with the Saint Michael’s
and marketing recommen- Century anniversary screen
dations to the College in saver on his laptop behind
meetings with President him, Izumiya easily tossed
Marc A. vanderHeyden. off standard English busi-
ness phrases like
“When I came to do the
“fixed asset management,”
Intensive English Program President vanderHeyden and Rikichi
“IT benchmarking,” and
at Saint Michael’s,” Izumiya
“number-crunching.”
explained. “My English level wasn’t so
good. I could say ‘yes,’ ‘no’ and ‘how These are all projects that Izumiya has
are you?’” Since then, the young man tackled since September when he
from Kanazawa, Japan, has graduated became a special assistant to President
continued ...
Please contact us at
School of International Studies at Saint Michael’s College
One Winooski Park, Colchester, Vermont 05439-0253 USA
802.654.2300 • fax 802.654.2595 • www.smcvt.edu/sis • sis@smcvt.edu
Making the Most of Saint Michael’s ..continued
Izumiya has worked with most of the coast of the United States and Canada.
major departments involved with running “I even found my wife,” he says with a
the College. Given special assignments in smile, pointing to a photograph on his
each area, from human resources to office shelf of Natsuko Ikuno Izumiya
finance to institutional advancement, who came to Saint Michael’s from her
he has put the skills he learned at Saint home in Kyoto to study music. Izumiya
Michael’s to good use analyzing market has enjoyed the relatively rural location
research data, building complicated of Saint Michael’s. “I’m not a city boy,”
financial spreadsheets, and interviewing he explains. “Vermont,” he says fondly,
key personnel across campus. “It was a “can be very cold but it’s beautiful,
great opportunity to stay and get more especially in the fall.”
experience because I’m very interested In addition to the strong academic base
in school administration,” said Izumiya, he built in Vermont, Izumiya has also
who will return to Tokyo this summer learned a lot about American culture
to work at a new graduate school through firsthand experience over the
associated with his family’s Kanazawa last seven years, and he hopes he can
Technical Institute, from which he holds help American and Japanese business-
an associate’s degree in engineering. people learn to appreciate each other’s
VanderHeyden, in turn, believes that approach. “American people are much
Saint Michael’s has also benefited from more direct,” he says. “They express
Izumiya’s skills and approach. “Rikichi their feelings very well and they make
has been a real asset to all of us at decisions quickly. This has an impact
Saint Michael’s,” vanderHeyden says. on how they do business. The American
“Obviously his expertise in technology business style can be very effective,
helped in every office where he worked, but they should understand that the
but his particular insights and perspective Japanese business style is very different
on marketing have also been of great and they need to be sensitive [to it].”
interest and importance to us.” Izumiya looks forward to returning to
Smartly dressed in jacket and tie with his home nation, but he hopes to come
a poised and professional manner, it is back to visit Vermont and he will
hard to imagine Izumiya as an under- always treasure his experience at Saint
graduate who, by his own description, Michael’s. “Coming to a different
sometimes felt a little lost and over- country gives you a chance to open
whelmed by the work and the very your eyes and get a broad view of the
different culture. “At the beginning, world. It’s been a very life-changing
there was so much homework and I experience,” he reflects. He can be
felt homesick,” he admits. “My second assured that he has also changed the
home was the library. I almost took College. “Certainly his pleasant character
my pillow there.” and demeanor make him a wonderful
As he progressed in his studies, however, coworker,” says President vanderHeyden,
Izumiya grew more comfortable and “but at the end of this year. we will
developed “many good friends that always be most grateful for the real
supported me from Japan, Thailand, contributions that he has made to Saint
Venezuela, and Korea.” He found time Michael’s College.”
to ski, play tennis and travel the east
New Roles for Familiar Faces
T
wo familiar faces have new and
important roles that will help move
SIS forward into its next 50 years.
Last September, Associate Professor
Susan Jenkins was named academic chair
of SIS. Jenkins had been elected by her
colleagues to take over the directorship
of the Masters in Teaching English as a Jacqui Samale Roden and Susan Jenkins
Second Language (MATESL) program
Cincinnati in Ohio. In addition to
after the completion of Professor
teaching such cornerstone courses
Kathleen Mahnke’s term in that position.
as Introduction to Language and
In addition, the College decided to add
Linguistics, Jenkins has been very
the role of academic chair to Jenkins’
involved with the SIS partnership
responsibilities to help align SIS structure
with the Gama Bell Teacher Training
with other departments, which all have
College in Krakow, Poland, working
a chairperson. As academic chair, Jenkins
on-site in Europe with their cooperative
works collaboratively with Associate
master’s program.
Dean of SIS Rick Gamache, and
Carolyn Duffy, director of the English In her new role as department chair,
language programs, as well as with Jenkins sees the opportunity to work
Michael Maine, director of international with her colleagues to “make sure we
marketing and enrollment for SIS. maintain a state-of-the-art curriculum
that is attractive to students.” All
“SIS is an integral part of Saint Michael’s
academic institutions, she emphasizes,
College and, indeed, the foundation of
“have to continually look at programs,
our international reputation,” said John
courses, and curriculum to make sure
Kenney, Dean of the College. “Susan’s
they stay up-to-date.” This year, the
appointment is intended to further the
faculty team has undertaken a solid
integration of the SIS into the college
MATESL program review to reevaluate
as a whole. SIS now has a stable,
required courses and make sure that over-
structural place among the college’s
lap between courses is complementary
programs that is represented by Susan’s
rather than redundant. Led by Sheena
position. And she is an outstanding
Blodgett, SIS is also completing a
person for the role, someone who has
comprehensive self-study of the English
wide experience and a distinguished
Language Programs (ELP) as part of
academic record.”
the Commission for English Language
Jenkins, a native of England, earned Program Accreditation process.
her PhD in applied linguistics from “The faculty’s energy and willingness
Pennsylvania State University and came to ask ‘what if ’ questions have been
to Saint Michael’s in the fall of 2000 very enjoyable and stimulating,”
after a dozen years at the University of says Jenkins.
continued ...
New Roles for Familiar Faces ..continued
Other major projects include putting activities for new SIS students to helping
more SIS courses online to expand students with basic needs such as getting
distance-learning possibilities with Saint to the grocery store. She also organizes
Michael’s. “That’s becoming increasingly extracurricular activities such as maple
necessary,” Jenkins explains, “and it is syrup farm visits and a recent series of
a priority for us.” SIS faculty and staff salsa lessons taught by SIS students
are also working on developing more from Mexico, Colombia, and Venezuela.
programs for graduate students who It’s often hard for Roden to walk through
would like to continue their professional the halls without a student stopping her
development. For example, this summer, with a question—but that’s fine with
six English language professors from her. “I’ve always been someone who
Colombia will return to Saint Michael’s likes to help,” she says. “I love bringing
to take both SIS and education department people together.”
courses towards advanced certificates. In March, Roden’s job expanded to
Jenkins is also proud of the work that become special assistant for international
has been done to interest more Saint student services and marketing. In this
Michael’s undergraduates in the field of new capacity, she will work closely with
language and linguistics through a Michael Maine, director of international
recently approved undergraduate minor. marketing and enrollment for SIS.
“We’ve always had some undergraduates Some of her responsibilities include
interested, but it’s great now that we corresponding with prospective students,
will have a focused program,” she says. report preparation, compiling an
Overall, Jenkins concludes, much has electronic warehouse, and assisting in
been accomplished so far, with many developing research information. “I am
more exciting opportunities to come. pleased that Jacqui is now a part of the
“The faculty are so enthusiastic and SIS marketing team,” says Maine. “She
they care so deeply,” she says. “They has many talents, and a lot of experience
step up to the plate for whatever is working with international students.
needed. It is very satisfying to work and I see her continuing to make great
share ideas with people as dedicated as contributions to the SIS program.”
those we have at SIS.” For Roden, the marketing piece is just
Jacqui Samale Roden is a perfect example an extension of her commitment to
of the dedication and caring demonstrated supporting SIS students. “I love my job.
by members of the SIS team. Roden I love being surrounded by students
first came to Saint Michael’s College as from all over the world… my greatest
an undergraduate student from her satisfaction is to watch friendships
home in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and develop and see how students move
graduated with a degree in psychology along in their language proficiency
and business administration in 1994. and to see them share their culture with
She went on to earn her MATESL from other students,” she says. “What’s neat
Saint Michael’s in 2001 and has worked about the marketing job is that I get
both as an SIS graduate assistant and to ‘meet’ students before they get
instructor in the IEP program. Two here by supporting them through the
years ago, Roden became coordinator application process,” continues Roden.
of international student activities and “When they do get here, it will be a joy
orientation, for which she has done to put a name to a face.” Students will
everything from planning welcome surely agree.
✃
SIS 50TH ANNIVERSARY
CELEBRATION
School of International Studies
One Winooski Park, Box 253 REGISTRATION CARD
Colchester, Vermont 05439
Name____________________________________________________________________
Address__________________________________________________________________
City________________________________ State_________ Zip______________________
Phone Number(s) home ________________________ work _______________________
E-mail____________________________________________________________________
✃
Come Celebrate with Us!
The School of International Studies invites you to join our
50 th
Anniversary Celebration!
On July 16, 2004 international alumni and friends are invited to observe
this special anniversary with a Lake Champlain cruise on the
“Spirit of Ethan Allen II.” Later this year, SIS will join the Saint Michael’s College
Centennial Celebration (October 17-23, 2004), including an international
luncheon on October 22, commemorating our 50 years with Saint Michael’s.
If you would like to attend either of these functions, please contact the
School of International Studies at sis@smcvt.edu or 802.654.2300.
Bringing Japanese Culture to Life for
Vermont Schoolchildren
their culture with the young Vermonters.
S
haron Corologos, a fourth grade
teacher at Richmond Elementary The school was decorated with Japanese
School just outside of Burlington, flags and huge koinobori (carp flags).
has been working with Saint Michael’s Classrooms buzzed with children
students for more than 20 years to help dressing up in kimonos, rolling sushi,
bring her unit on Japanese culture to and watching stories told with a
life. “I remember when I first learned kamishibai, the traditional Japanese
the song, ‘Okina Kuri No Kinoshita de’ sliding card theater.
from two young women from Saint The Saint Michael’s students helped
Mike’s back in 1983,” she recalled with out in a variety of ways: demonstrating
a smile. Over two decades later, just a origami techniques, teaching songs and
few doors down from a room of young clapping games, showing the youngsters
children gingerly nibbling seaweed and how to write their names in Japanese or
trying out chopsticks, two fourth stamp ‘inkan,’ the first Japanese character
graders were demonstrating the same of their name. “It is
classic Japanese children’s wonderful to have the
song (called ‘Under the students come,” said
Acorn Tree’ in English) Corologos, who says she
with the help of Ryoji is passionate about Japan
Fujikashi, a Japanese and will be traveling
student currently studying there herself for the
at Saint Michael’s SIS. fourth time this summer.
Fujikashi was clearly “I learn something every
having as much fun as the time and the kids just
students. First he spent brighten up. The young
time down on the floor people who come really
demonstrating the use Ryoji teaching the “art” of using chopsticks
like kids and it shows.”
of chopsticks, declaring
The principal of the
convincingly, “I love seaweed!” He also
Richmond Elementary School, Mark
answered questions such as “Why
Andrews, agrees that the Saint
don’t you have chairs in Japan?” Then
Michael’s students bring a special
he moved on to singing. Corologos
dimension to the Japanese cultural
beamed at all the activity and said
days. “It just adds real authenticity to
happily, “He only signed up for two
what we’re doing,” he said. “The stu-
days, but he couldn’t help himself and
dents are so eloquent and articulate—
he came back today.”
you can’t beat the
For each of three days in mid-April, real thing. And the fact that they’re
Saint Michael’s student Aya Oshiro young people and educators makes
arranged for fellow students to share continued...
Bringing Japanese Culture to Life ..continued
Although working with the youngsters market (thinner and taller) and what
was fun, the Saint Michael’s students makes up a traditional breakfast in
admitted that it also had its challenges. Japan (rice and miso soup). A few
“Most of the kids seem very interested,” finally enjoyed success with their
said Tomoko Kanehisa, “but the Japanese chopsticks picking up pretzels. “I did it!
words are really hard to teach.” The I finally did it!” one boy called out with
grade-schoolers did seem to appreciate excitement.
their efforts however. As Kanehisa and A third grader explained that his
her friend, Tomoko Yamamoto, were favorite activity had been making origami
taking a break in the hallway between fish with the help of a Saint Michael’s
activity sessions, a line of students student. It was nice to have the Japanese
filed by. One gave a big thumbs up to students there, he said, because “It
Yamamoto and another boy bowed as makes it more like you’re in Japan.”
he walked and addressed the two young A fellow student added, “It’s good to
women, “Konichiwa.” have them here because they know
Yamamoto soon started her next session more than other people, because
of explaining the foods of Japan, showing they’ve actually experienced it.” A
off a Hello Kitty lunchbox and a variety parent volunteer, who was helping cook
of candies and other traditional foods. up peanut noodles while Yamamoto
The young students were remarkably talked with the kids about food, put it
daring in trying wasabi powder, but very simply: “It’s great that they made
preferred taste testing the candy. They the time to come for the kids. It makes
discussed the difference between a can it real for them.”
of Coca-Cola made for the Japanese
Alumni Corner / SIS Staff Faculty news
Jean Osborne ’00, M’04 organized a Saint Michael’s College alumni
gathering at the TESOL Conference in Long Beach, California in April.
About 30 people attended.
We welcome greetings and news from alumni. Please send them to: sis@smcvt.edu
Pass it on! Do you know someone who could benefit from learning at
Saint Michael’s? Send us the person’s name, address, e-mail address, and, if possible,
what type of program might be right for him or her. Please contact....
Michael Maine, School of International Studies, Saint Michael’s College,
One Winooski Park, Box 253, Colchester, Vermont 05439, USA
802.654.2357 q mmaine@smcvt.edu
PROFILE
This May, Saint Michael’s SIS awarded here are very
its first MATESL diploma to a student supportive. They
from Laos. Phouvong Vilaphanh understand the
came to the College on a Fulbright learning burden
scholarship two years ago and has for international
enjoyed his time in Vermont, although students and
he has missed his homeland very they listen to our
Phouvong Vilaphanh
much. “It’s been a very nice experience voice.” He is not
for me,” Vilaphanh said, “to meet a yet sure how he will use his English
lot of people from different countries. language and teaching skills when he
I have learned a lot about cultural returns to Laos. “I can teach, but I
differences.” In addition to becoming would like to work in a remote area
a rap music and wrestling fan, and help people there, maybe by
Vilaphanh has clearly grasped some working for a development project
basic democratic concepts: “One thing in agriculture or infrastructure,” he
I like about American culture is that said. “Education is important, but
you can question. This is a precious food is also important. If there is
thing to take back and try to spread nothing in the stomach, you cannot
in my country.” On the academic think and learn.”
side, Vilaphanh said, “The professors
Reconnect with Saint Michael’s
In the last 50 years, over 15,000 students have experienced Saint
Michael’s College through the School of International Studies. In an
effort to build stronger alumni relations, the SIS office encourages you
to register online with our new International Alumni Network
Program. The registration form can be found within the alumni
section of the SIS web page:
www.smcvt.edu/sis
A PUBLICATION OF THE SCHOOL OF INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
AT SAINT MICHAEL’S
~Written by Melissa Pasanen
One Winooski Park, Box 253
Colchester, Ver mont 05439-0253 USA
802.654.2300 • fax 802.654.2595
www.smcvt.edu/sis • sis@smcvt.edu