Provost's Global Forum 2025
Thursday, February 6, 2025 - Saturday, February 8, 2025
This event is made possible through the generous support and financial contributions from the Stanley-University of Iowa Foundation Support Organization, UI International Programs, and UI Tippie College of Business. Activities for the 2025 Provost's Global Forum are hosted in collaboration with the UI College of Education, UI Tippie College of Business, and the Kosova Education Center.
In today’s global environment, universities must be intentional about their partnerships, particularly with the private sector. Businesses and companies are the sites when knowledge turns into action, practice, or products, and they are the places where students apply what they know, grow, and contribute throughout their adult lives.The Provost’s Global Forum - Private Sector and University Partnerships: Pursuing Pathways for Global Collaboration, Learning, Prosperity, and Democracy - will bring together colleagues from around campus and around the world to identify and showcase evidence, strategies, approaches, and solutions that form sustainable university private sector partnerships that bring added values to stakeholders of campuses, business, communities, and nation-states.
The Forum will feature three days of sessions, including a program highlight of the currently active Private Sector Partnership to Strengthen Higher Education Activity, USAID-Kosovo activity between the University of Iowa and Kosovo, a keynote presentation by Catherine Chong, director of the Office of Industry Engagement at Singapore Management University in Singapore, as well as the 2025 Joel Barkan Memorial Lecture by Dr. Helena Jerregård, deputy vice-chancellor cooperation & vice president at Mälardalen University in Västerås, Sweden.
* Schedule subject to change
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2025
Location for Day One
University Capitol Centre: International Commons, 1st floor – room 1117 (map)
Time | Segment | Sessions & Speakers |
|---|---|---|
2:30 p.m. | Registration Opens |
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3:00 – 3:10 p.m. | Welcoming Remarks | Opening Remarks by Dr. Russ Ganim, Dr. Cassie L. Barnhardt, and Dr. Ken Brown |
3:10 – 3:40 p.m. | Overview | UI’s International Relationships to the Private Sector
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3:45 – 4:45 p.m. | Program Feature | UI Strategy: Private Sector Partnerships to Strengthen Higher Education Activity, USAID-Kosovo
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4:45 – 5:45 p.m. | Reception |
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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2025
Location for Day Two
Pappajohn Business Building – room S401 (map)
Time | Segment | Sessions & Speakers |
|---|---|---|
9:30 a.m. | Registration Open |
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10 a.m. | Welcome | Welcome from planning committee |
10:05 a.m. | Keynote | Catherine Chong, director of the Office of Industry Engagement at the Singapore Manament University |
11 a.m. | Break |
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11:15 a.m. | Panel #1 | Motivations, Stakeholder Perspectives, Outputs & Outcomes: What do universities, companies, and students want out of global applied and experiential learning? This panel will focus on understanding the hopes that students, companies, and universities have in terms of global applied experiential learning- such as internships, or extended field experiences. What are the benefits for stakeholders, and what drives folks to participate?
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12:15 p.m. | Lunch |
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1:30 p.m. |
| Session Introduction |
1:35 p.m. | Panel #2 | Mechanics of Collaboration: What practices and actions enhance universities’ global collaborative initiatives? This panel is devoted to understanding the ways that universities engage in sustainable global relationships. A critical component of this work includes continued cooperation with non-profit organizations that have international ties to the U.S. and other nation-states. This panel will highlight the emergence, formation, and ongoing practices that contribute to successful international collaboration. These practices include an emphasis on how to best cultivate and maintain relationships with professors, administrators, program officers, governmental or non-governmental staff, and other key actors that support enduring global partnerships with universities.
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2:20 p.m. | Break |
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2:30 p.m. | Keynote | The Joel Barkan Memorial Lecture is an annual lecture given as a part of the Provost's Global Forum. Dr. Helena Jerregård, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Cooperation & Vice President, Mälardalen University Strategic Collaborations for Quality and Societal Impact: Bridging Universities and Communities Dr. Helena Jerregård will present her extensive work in fostering strategic collaborations between academia and external sectors. With a robust background in neurobiology and a passion for interdisciplinary research and innovation, Dr. Jerregård's initiatives have significantly enhanced the university's role as a leading collaborative institution. |
3:30 p.m. | Break |
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3:45 p.m. | Panel #3 | Teaching for global Engagement: How do universities and companies work together to build students’ skills and competencies for the global workplace and community? This panel focuses on practical and applied strategies for helping students learn what they need to know to be competent and ready for the global labor force. While much of the learning happens on the university end of the preparation continuum, work sites also play a role in growing students’ competencies.
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4:30 p.m. | Closing Remarks |
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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2025
Location for Day Three
University Capitol Centre: International Commons, 1st floor – room 1117 (map)
Time | Segment | Sessions & Speakers |
|---|---|---|
10 a.m. | Opening |
|
10:05 a.m. | Program Feature | U.S.-Based Approaches to Global Private Sector Partnerships This session will feature a discussion about the ways in which university-private sector partnerships contribute to global economic development, peace, and democracy.
What advantages does the U.S. find in promoting University-Private Sector Partnerships?
How do the internationally-oriented educational, research and outreach resources of universities strengthen the international competitiveness of the U.S.?
How do universities and academics best support international trade and economic development?
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10:45 a.m. | Q&A |
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11 a.m. | Break |
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11:10 a.m. | Community Conversations | Roundtable Discussions Table 1 Private Sector-University: Research Collaboration Table 2 Private Sector-University: Teaching Collaboration Table 3 Private Sector-University: Experiential Learning Table 4 Private Sector-University: Community Service/Cooperation |
11:45 a.m. | Closing | Closing Remarks by Dr. Russ Ganim and Dr. Cassie L. Barnhardt |
Ercan Canhasi
Catherine Chong is currently the director of the Office of Industry Engagement at the Singapore Management University. She leads the engagement with industry, government and professional bodies to holistically support their interest to engage the university for its talent, expertise and technologies. She is responsible for developing the university’s industry engagement strategy and fostering meaningful partnerships that supports the university’s strategic ambitions in creating positive impact in the world. Chong comes with more than 18 years of experience in strategic business development, predominantly in the public sector, such as the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) and Agency of Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), driving key industry sector development and transformation. Chong holds a Bachelor of Science (biomedical science) with honors, from the National University of Singapore (NUS), with a minor in technopreneurship from the University of Pennsylvania, USA.
Monica Ernberger is an assistant director in the University of Iowa International Programs Office. She specializes in international internships, as well as study abroad advising for the UI Tippie College of Business, UI College of Public Health, UI Department of Global Health, and several certificate programs. She is also highly active in the office’s outreach efforts on campus and off. Ernberger works with credit-bearing internships and research opportunities across all majors. She also provides general advice on major-based abroad programs for students from the UI Tippie College of Business. Ernberger has a background in education abroad, crisis response, and risk management. Her graduate work was in marketing, communications, and higher education. Ernberger loves working with students, faculty, and staff, and has been active in the field of higher education since 1998. Higher education and education abroad are currently faced with significant challenges. Her goal is to come up with creative ways to continue to meet the needs of students, faculty, and universities as funding continues to decline. Promoting, advising for, and reading for the Gilman Program is a big part of that effort. Ernberger is currently wrapping up a two-year term as part of the inaugural cohort of the Advisor Ambassador Program for the Gilman Scholarship and the U.S. Department of State, advising colleges and universities around the U.S. regarding the power of combining credit-bearing internships and impactful scholarships.
Flamur Golsaci
Kim Harris
Dr. Helena Jerregård is a distinguished neurobiologist and senior lecturer in medical technology, holding a PhD in neurobiology with a focus on neural plasticity and regeneration from Linköping University. Transitioning from her research career, Dr. Jerregård joined Mälardalen University, where she was instrumental in developing the university's research education. Her dedication to bridging the gap between academia and industry/public sector led her to manage the automation region, an extensive network of over 100 companies. During her management, Dr. Jerregård assembled a team dedicated to develop platforms for mututal communication, business development, human resources, and innovation, culminating in the establishment of a research institute called SICS Västerås AB, the Swedish Institute of Computer Science in Västerås. Under her leadership as CEO, the institute rapidly expanded, emphasizing applied science in digitalization and innovation. As the deputy vice-chancellor for collaboration, Dr. Jerregård continues to spearhead strategic partnerships that enhance academic quality and drive mutual interests between the university and the broader community. She is renowned for her efforts in connecting academia with industry, the public sector, and civil society. In addition, Dr. Jerregård is a fervent supporter of diversity in STEM fields. She actively mentors and supports initiatives that encourage women and underrepresented groups to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Her efforts are not only aimed at achieving gender equality but also at fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce that can drive innovation and sustainability in all its forms.
Sydney Johnson is the assistant director of global programs in the Undergraduate Program Office in the Tippie College of Business. Johnson graduated from the University of Iowa in 2014 with a BA in international studies and earned an MA in international higher education from Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 2019. She has experience teaching in South Korea and has worked in study abroad at the University of Iowa, Massachusetts College of Art and Design, and Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. After completing her graduate studies, she returned to Iowa and spent three years with the Office of Student Financial Aid. In her current role, Sydney oversees Tippie’s short-term study abroad programming in the United Kingdom, Australia, Singapore, and Chile. She also supports semester study abroad programming and international internships through recruitment, course evaluations, scholarship awarding, and workshops for both prospective and returned students. In addition to her work with study abroad, she oversees undergraduate international student support, including managing the Tippie Buddies program and Tippie’s Global Engagement Student Advisory Board.
Sam Kapoor
Geotar Krasniqi is the ICT private sector engagement specialist for the USAID-funded Private Sector Partnerships to Strengthen Higher Education Activity, where he bridges the gap between academia, students, and the tech industry in Kosovo. He develops and implements strategic partnerships between universities and ICT companies, supports the integration of industry-relevant guidance in academic programs, works with student clubs, and fosters innovative collaborations. With a focus on enhancing higher education through private sector engagement, he provides technical leadership and ensures impactful, sustainable interventions.
Professor Lon Moeller earned undergraduate and graduate business degrees, and a law degree from the University of Iowa. For 12 years, Moeller worked as an attorney for two law firms and then later at the University of Iowa and the University of Wisconsin System. Moeller has been a professor in the University of Iowa’s Tippie College of Business, in the Department of Management and Entrepreneurship, for over 25 years. During that time, he has taught thousands of students (in-person and online) in business law, business ethics, negotiation, and leadership classes. He has taught classes in Hong Kong, London, and Italy. Moeller co-wrote five books on business law, conflict management, leadership/management, and negotiations. Moeller has also worked as a mediator and arbitrator, serving on several state and national arbitration panels in the United States. He is a frequent speaker to industry groups on business ethics, conflict management, and negotiations. In addition to being a university professor, Moeller has held several academic leadership positions, including associate dean, associate provost, and dean at the University of Iowa, and senior vice president for academic affairs and provost at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Jane Schukoske
Jay Sehgal
Isak Shabani
Day 1 & 3
University Capitol Centre location – The University Capitol Centre (UCC) sits on the corner of Burlington and Clinton Streets and is connected to the Capitol Street parking ramp. Linked is a map of campus.
Parking – The Capitol Street parking ramp is located at 220 S. Capitol Street, with entrances on both Capitol Street and Clinton Street. Parking is $2/hour and the first hour is free. The parking ramp is within walking distance of the International Commons.
International Commons - room 1117 – The International Commons is located in the northwest corner of the UCC. The address is:
201 S. Clinton Street
1111 University Capitol Centre (UCC)
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
If parking in the Capitol Street parking ramp, you will walk to the far end (the north end) of the building. A convenient ‘marker’ on your way to the IP Office is the coffee shop called T Spoons near the escalator. Once you pass T Spoons, look to your left to see the glass doors labeled INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS. Go through the two sets of doors and the International Commons, room 1117 is on your left. Linked is a map of the UCC building.
Day 2
Pappajohn Business Building location – The Pappajohn Business Building (PBB) is located at 21 East Market Street. Linked is a map of campus.
Parking – To be added.
PBB - room S401 - The Pappajohn Business Building room S401 is located within the UI Tippie College of Business.
All Days
Bus Service – The University Capitol Centre is located adjacent to the Downtown Interchange bus stop. A number of University of Iowa (CAMBUS) and city buses frequent this location.
Visiting from out of town? Below are some highlights for places to eat, things to do, and hotel options close by. If you are a presenter, refer to your event contact for details on what meals are provided and what hotel you are staying in.
Places to Eat
For places to eat located inside the University Capitol Centre, visit the Old Capitol Town Center's directory.
For places to eat in downtown Iowa City, visit the Iowa City Downtown District food and drink guide.
For more options, visit Think Iowa City's restaurant guide.
Hotels
For hotels within walking distance of the University of Iowa campus, visit the Iowa City Downtown District hotel guide.
For more options outside of downtown Iowa City, visit Think Iowa City's hotel guide.
Shopping
Shops located within walking distance of campus can be found on the Iowa City Downtown District shopping guide.
Located 5 miles from campus is the Coral Ridge Mall.
Things to Do
Looking for events and activities happening in the area? Visit the Think Iowa City visitor guide.
Organizers & recipients of Provost's Global Forum Award
Cassie Barnhardt
Dr. Cassie L. Barnhardt received her PhD from the University of Michigan in higher education organizational behavior and management. At the University of Iowa, she is a professor in the College of Education. Her research focuses on how universities contribute to democracy and society. She has been a Fulbright Scholar to the Republic of Kosovo, and a Fellow with the University of California National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement. Dr. Barnhardt’s research has been published in the Journal of Higher Education, Research in Higher Education, Higher Education, Review of Higher Education, and Theory and Method in Higher Education Research, AERA Open, among others. Some of her funded work has been supported by the John Templeton Foundation, the Carnegie Corporation of New York, The Norwegian Centre for International Cooperation in Education, and the United States Agency for International Development.
Erin Johnson
Erin Johnson earned her BBA and PhD from the University of Iowa and is currently a professor of instruction in the Department of Management & Entrepreneurship in the Tippie College of Business. She regularly teaches courses on international business and topics relating to cross-cultural education and cultural exchange have been of great interest to her since graduate school. With support from Tippie and the Department of Online Education, Johnson recently developed a shared learning platform to support a four-week global virtual teams’ collaboration between students at the University of Iowa and students in Kosovo.
Zoie Schares
Zoie Schares is the senior project manager for the USAID-funded Private Sector Partnerships to Strengthen Higher Education Activity at the University of Iowa. Schares' background is in higher education and student affairs—in her current role, she oversees Activity logistics, spearheads in-country student recruitment and engagement, and works on monitoring and evaluation efforts. Additionally, she plays a role in global education capacity building within the College of Education by connecting students, faculty, and staff with global education initiatives, both within the college and across the university.
Ken Brown
Ken Brown, Ph.D., is Tippie Children Professor of Management in the Tippie College of Business and department executive officer of the Educational Policy and Leadership Studies Department, College of Education, both at the University of Iowa. He earned a BS, MA, and PhD degrees in psychology. Brown served as a Fulbright specialist at Seoul National University and a visiting professor at Monash and Deakin Universities in Melbourne, Australia. He has published over 50 articles and chapters related to management learning and leadership. He edited the Cambridge Handbook for Workplace Training and Employee Development, co-authored the textbook Human Resource Management: Linking Strategy to Practice, and served as editor-in-chief of the Academy of Management Learning and Education.
Dimy Doresca
Dimy Doresca is a certified global business professional (CGBP), an international business specialist and consultant, an international trainer in entrepreneurship and innovation, and a recognized international speaker as a member of the U.S. State Department Speaker’s Bureau. He is the executive director of the Institute for International Business and a clinical associate professor in international business and entrepreneurship, both at the University of Iowa. He is also the director of the Mandela Washington Fellowship Program at the University of Iowa. Professor Doresca was appointed in October 2022, as a visiting senior research fellow in the African Leadership Centre at King’s College London. In the last 25 years, his professional experience includes international education (training and program development), leading global learning tours to Africa and the Middle East, international entrepreneurship and business consulting, leading international operations in multiple countries for a U.S.-based company, international strategic planning, business development and market research, contracts administration and negotiations, and international business diplomacy in many countries in the Middle East, Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Doresca holds a BA in international business from Augustana College and an MS in foreign service (international affairs) from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.
Christopher Kromphardt
About the Provost's Global Forum
Through the generous support of the Stanley-UI Foundation Support Organization, the Provost’s Global Forum is the premier annual event on campus focused on international and global issues. The forum brings together experts from the faculty and leading voices from a variety of areas to raise awareness about and contribute to debate on the foremost issues in globalization that face us today.
In addition to serving the University of Iowa community broadly, the forum endeavors to build connections between the University and the state of Iowa, and positions the UI as a national node in discussions of global affairs.
All events are free and open to the public.
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Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact Daniel Vorwerk in advance by email at daniel-vorwerk@uiowa.edu or call 319-467-1619.