UF Center for Latin American Studies
Dr. Swapna Kumar and Dr. Alex Bitton-Bailey gained insights, new networks for innovative international teaching and learning across the Americas
February 28, 2025
In late January, in collaboration with UFIC’s Office of Global Learning (OGL), the Center for Latin American Studies sent a delegation of faculty and staff to Monterrey, Mexico for Monterrey Tech’s annual Institute for the Future of Education (IFE) Conference with the goal of growing US/LAS programs with a focus on teaching and learning.
The Center’s delegates were Dr. Swapna Kumar (third from left, above), Clinical Professor at the UF College of Education and Dr. Alex Bitton-Bailey (far left, above), Director of the UF Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE). Dr. Kumar is a longtime collaborator with the Center’s outreach initiatives on globalizing curriculum; in 2012 she partnered with Dr. Mary Risner to research one of UF’s first virtual exchange implementations, the McArthur Foundation Grant for the MDP “Global Classroom” project. In 2015, she was co-PI with Dr. Risner on the Longview Foundation’s “Global Classroom Initiative” to globalize pre-service education through technology and connecting students to classrooms around the world. After many years collaborating with the Center, this was Dr. Kumar’s first opportunity to attend an academic conference in Latin America and discuss possible collaborations with the region.
Center for Teaching Excellence Director Dr. Alex Bitton-Bailey is a recent collaborator with the Center’s outreach initiatives. In 2022, the Center was a sponsor of CTE’s Interface and Research in Teaching and Learning conferences, where we included two of our Ecuadorean virtual exchange partners and global themes in these events.
Like Dr. Kumar, January’s IFE Conference in Monterrey was also Dr. Bitton-Bailey’s first academic conference in the region, making it a valuable opportunity to network and propose future collaborations with Mexico. “My visit to their Center for Teaching and Learning was truly inspiring,” Dr. Bitton-Bailey said. “Witnessing their approach to faculty support provided invaluable insights and sparked numerous ideas for future opportunities. I envision a collaborative effort where materials and resources are shared, and faculty from our Latin American partner institutions help create workshops, courses, and videos. These resources will equip faculty to better understand their international students and create meaningful learning experiences for all. Additionally, this collaboration will ensure that faculty feel prepared to facilitate study abroad and virtual exchange experiences.”
With our USDOE Title VI funds, we continue to explore ways that Latin American content and expertise can be featured in UF CTE programs and international education curricula.
