JJC Only Community College Selected for International Education Summit

Joliet Junior College (JJC) was the only community college selected to participate in the International Institute of International Education’s (IIE) first in-person International Academic Partnership Program (IAPP) with Greece. 

In partnership with IIE, the U.S. Department of State and the Government of the Hellenic Republic of Greece, announced the Pharos Summit 2022: Greek – U.S. Collaboration in Higher Education, as part of the IAPP Program Greece. With 54 U.S. and Greek higher education institutions participating, IAPP Greece engages cohorts of U.S. and Greek higher education institutions to develop partnerships and foster collaboration.

JJC pursued this opportunity because the college values international academic partnerships. These partnerships build important opportunities, such as student and faculty exchange, joint research, innovative curricula and other collaborative activities necessary to offer a world-class education. 

JJC was represented by Michelle Vale, manager of international student services, and Dr. Nataliya Marchenko, professor of economics and international education coordinator/study abroad advisor. Both Vale and Marchenko viewed this as an opportunity to expand the international services offered to JJC students while representing U.S. public community colleges abroad. 

“Our presence in Greece gave Dr. Marchenko and myself the opportunity to be the voice for community colleges in the U.S.,” stated Vale. “There were many prestigious four-year institutions selected to attend this summit. Being selected as the only community college provided us an international platform to discuss the high quality, affordable education that community colleges such as JJC can provide.”

“Michelle and myself were able to describe the role of community college and the flexibility it provides students as they pursue their education,” Marchenko added. 

Several U.S. and Greek dignitaries were present and participated in the conversations taking place. During their weeklong November visit, Vale and Marchenko had the opportunity to meet the President of the Hellenic Republic of Greece at a reception hosted at the Presidential Palace. They had additional opportunities to meet dignitaries such as the prime minister of Greece, the Greek minister of education and religious affairs, the U.S. ambassador to Greece and the U.S. secretary of state for educational and cultural affairs. Both Vale and Marchenko agree the support from these representatives established the importance of international education to both countries.

“The support from these representatives established the importance of international education in both countries,” Vale said. “They made it a point to listen to our conversations and discussed ways their offices could further support international partnerships.”  

By the end of their time in Greece, Vale and Marchenko were able to meet with 16 Greek universities and identified several that may make ideal partners for international programs such as a summer study abroad or faculty exchange program. 

By the end of their time in Greece, Vale and Marchenko were able to meet with 16 Greek universities and identified several that may make ideal partners for international programs such as a summer study abroad or faculty exchange program. 

“We’re very confident this trip will provide the college with the opportunity to develop new international programs for students and faculty to expand their educational horizons,” said Marchenko. “It will take time to fully develop a new program in Greece, but we are on the right track to do so.”