Below is a conversation between a GenX woman (Mary Churchill) and a man from the Baby Boomer generation, part of our “Voices from Mars” series.
MARY: I’d like to introduce Denis Sullivan, a leader at Northeastern University in Boston. Denis is a Full Professor in Political Science and Director of both the Middle East Center and the International Affairs Program. He is also a fantastic friend and colleague of over fifteen years. Denis continues to be a close confidant and a key voice in my feedback loops. So, Denis, did I cover the important pieces?
DENIS: Definitely! The main "piece" is our friendship. That is our primary connection, link, driving force. All the professional "goodies" on top of that are, in some ways, "means to our ends" - ways to keep working together, keep promoting great things for students and colleagues and friends around the world.
MARY: I agree. I wanted to include a conversation with Denis on The University of Venus because he has always been such a strong advocate for women, the next generation, international students and scholars, and international education.
DENIS As a bit of background -- Growing up with 4 sisters, a strong single mother - and at 84, still strong! - and a nurturing grandmother, and then becoming a father of 2 amazingly brilliant and talented daughters ... that helps explain a bit about the 'strong advocate for women' you mention - for which I thank you!!
see: http://uvenus.wordpress.com/ for the rest of part 1.
and here is "the rest of the story" (okay, I guess I *am* a boomer - 'cuz what is running through my mind now is "Paul Harvey ... GOOD DAY!"):
MARY: Ok, let’s move to international education What are the best things that have happened in the last 10-15 years with regards to the globalization of higher education?
DENIS: First, that Americans finally get it! When I started teaching at NU in 1987, I felt I was a lone wolf, a “solo act” in the push for Middle East Studies and international studies more broadly. Oh, I had some like-minded colleagues - but we were a rare breed. Sadly, after 9/11, Americans woke up to the world around us. Of course, we were "slumbering" after the fall of the Soviet Union/fall of the Berlin wall, but that also led to more complacency. "We won", so to heck with the rest of the world. 9/11 gave Americans a shocking wake up. So we get it. Now what? While we get it, many folks also want simply to make money out of globalization. Thankfully, many more want to promote peace and justice. And others simply want to really really get it: i.e., By going around the world, learning languages, connecting with people and then figuring out their lives after that.
MARY: I hope you are right Denis. I love your positive attitude! I agree that this is a time for transformation for many. We are used to seeing this with 18-22 year olds and now it seems that people of all ages are becoming aware of the need to be global.
DENIS: Women are in the lead on this one. I would say 70% of our students in International Affairs are women. And in study abroad, the number is - and has been - generally the same. More women go abroad than men, traditionally. That gives them a huge advantage - in government, business, and academia (at least these days). And it gives them the global perspectives, global experiences that are to their life-long advantage.
MARY: Women are often more open to seeing the world from multiple perspectives and less afraid of studying abroad, more likely to get outside their comfort zones.
