Developing Global Citizens

Dr. Jackson Sasser's commitment to internationalizing SF

January 03, 2020 Dr. Jackson Sasser Season 1 Episode 6
Developing Global Citizens
Dr. Jackson Sasser's commitment to internationalizing SF
Show Notes Transcript

Dr. Jackson Sasser launched his term as the fourth president of Santa Fe College in the shadow of 9/11. The event literally affected his travel during his interview process. Over the 17 years that followed, he developed many programs to internationalize the college. In this interview with host Vilma Fuentes, he discusses these programs and his motivation in taking a community college in a global direction. 

Vilma Fuentes:   0:00
Hello and welcome to Santa Fe College. This is Vilma Fuentes with a new podcast on developing global citizens. We're joined by a very special guest today: Dr. Jackson Sasser, president of Santa Fe College. He's been president of our college since 2002 and is now bringing his tenure here to an end. So, we'd like to take a few minutes to get his perspective on these last 17 years of his presidency and, in particular, to talk about some of the work that has been done here under his leadership to advance the internationalization of the college and our interaction with global representatives. So, Dr. Sasser, thank you and welcome to our show.

Vilma Fuentes:   0:00
When you assumed the presidency at Santa Fe College in 2002, the United States was experiencing some significant global challenges, could you please explain that national and international context at the time when you assume the presidency?

Dr. Jackson Sasser:   1:03
Yes, Vilma. And thank you for the opportunity to visit with you and others who are affiliated with Santa Fe College and have an interest in this important topic. Literally, 2001—September 11th 2001—the greatest attack on this country occurred. Ironically, I interviewed eight days following that and so I had already discovered, at the college, that one of the gaps was the possibility of internationalizing the college. Many community colleges aspire to having involvement to growing global citizens among their students and employees. Few cross that line. And so I knew the quality of Santa Fe College, but this was one of the areas where there were pockets of international activities, but no real overall abiding commitment to it. So Layne and I—my wife—we boarded the plane in Houston and it was one of the first flights following September 11th that we were able to fly. I remember we had apprehension about the safety. And then we got to 30,000 feet and we realized, probably this is the safest day ever to fly. And then we got here, walked into a meeting with faculty and staff, and immediately I knew I wanted to be here. Through the interview process, I started talking about the importance of a college—any college or  university—allowing a student to have the opportunity to know about different cultures, different religions, different geographies, different foods and all the rich opportunities that come with looking at international affairs. So September 11th was the springboard, um, in a discussion point from which I launched this presidency, knowing I wanted it to be in the sphere of internationalizing the college. Following that, we had the war in Afghanistan. And then I think one of the most ill, um, informed decisions made ever of our country was the war in Iraq. And to tell you how important that is, we had many students that went. The college lost three students in Iraq. So this is not some vague notion. To me, this is personal. One of the students that lost his life called me a week before. During during this period also, um, the European Union was forming. And look what is happening to that. So over that period of time, tremendous change has occurred. But never ever has this country needed, has every student every employee needed to understand the value off meeting with those that are different: those that that practice a different religion, those that live in a different part of the country and those that live in a different parts of the world. So, I'm really pleased that through Provost Bonahue, who literally started this, and in Vilma—your leadership. I cannot tell you how important the college being where it is today, it would not have happened without you and many others.

Vilma Fuentes:   4:35
Thank you. So, um, I think across the United States, people are more familiar with the conversations about the need to internationalize or develop a more globalized curriculum among universities. Certainly, if we look at our own state of Florida, I could cite that you know, the University of Florida, University of South Florida, Florida State, Florida International University, they've all been recognized with national level awards for the really outstanding work they've done internationalizing the their institutions as a whole. How common is it for community colleges to prioritize this type of work?

Dr. Jackson Sasser:   5:16
Well, it's not common, and I don't know why. From the first day of my career in graduate school, through my first job, which was in a community college—I didn't attend a community college and I didn't really know what they were—but I've departed from day one with the notion that you're not academically prepared and that's what open admission allows. But because you have students that could have gone to the University of Chicago—like we have one and we have students have gone to Harvard—but most students can get in from our colleges, they are that well academically prepared. But it's the funds they don't have, even with scholarships. That full spectrum of student needs the same as the best prepared, the wealthiest student at any major university in the country. So the notion that we would not provide the very best that we have, and I think internationalizing the college, you know, represents that. Our commitment was so strong from day one, as you know, within just a few years we won the High school award. And the High School Award represents private universities, the best that that the general society in America thinks of. Santa Fe College won that because our commitment to internationalizing the college. That just simply represents how pervasive it is and how strong the commitment is. Not just my commitment. I saw that early on, saw that in the gap in the colleges work, but it would not have happened if this great faculty and leaders like you had not embraced it.

Vilma Fuentes:   7:05
So during your 17 years as president, the college has applied to several grants opportunities, particularly from the federal government, that have helped advance this work. Santa Fe College has specifically applied, for instance,  to 3 undergraduate international studies and foreign languages grants from the U. S. Department of Education and received all three. Tell us about that. Why was that so significant?

Dr. Jackson Sasser:   7:35
Well, even with with my initial trustees, the thought of internationalizing college when our mission is local, we have two counties. And of course, because of Santa Fe, its reputation and also the great relationship we have with our partner the University of Florida, we get students from every county in the state of Florida. So, um, even with that, the notion that we would be looking at bringing someone from Afghanistan, we would bring someone from Iraq, we would bring someone from Ukraine to be a part of our college was somewhat disconcerting. So I will never, ever forget that initial board that stood with me. One in particular, Colonel Arlette McRae, who was commander of Luke Air Force Base and and many others. Colonel McRae knew the importance. He was prepared to give his life. He flew over 100 sorties in Vietnam. This is not something vague to him, this is something he knew was important. And with colleges particularly like ours, there is not a funding source. I mean, when you're looking at providing basic education, academic preparation for those that are academically unprepared, that's very expensive. That, basically, many times is tutoring one on one students. So to bring some notion of of a program like internationalizing the college to this with the competition for resources, it was an opportunity to inform the importance, and fortunately the trustees in the college allowed that. But all that said, we had to go to external sources to take it to the level that we wanted. Our goal is for every student, not just those that make international trips—which we have, and we have it probably at a higher level than most—but every student can't travel, and it's not just the funds: they have commitments. Many of our students have families and they can't leave, or certainly many cases don't have the funds. So it's through people like Provost Bonahue, like Professor Clark and then one of the most interesting ones, opening doors to Asia that we have from 2012 to 2015, that we're funded by the Department of Education. It is through these programs that we have the funding source, but more importantly, one person like the Provost, like Deborah Clark, like Dr Lever and Capping and others, it is through them that every student has the opportunity to live this experience. And so if you look a return on investment, it maybe best through  inspired faculty and staff that go to these different countries and learn of the value of being friends and partners with  even those with whom we disagree politically, religiously, or economically. If you don't sit in the same room, and as you know Vilma, my expression, if you're not close enough to breathe the same air, then you don't really get to know these people. And so what an opportunity through the funding source, like the Department of Education.

Vilma Fuentes:   11:22
So Santa Fe has also hosted several Fulbright scholars and residents during your tenure. Could you tell us about those experiences?

Dr. Jackson Sasser:   11:29
One of my shocks when I got here and I knew the quality—this was a good college. When I arrived in 2002, it was very good college. One of my really alarming discoveries was that we had not affiliated with Fulbright. And I just didn't understand that. It's a great funding source. Senator Fulbright in 1945, as you know, started this program and the interesting thing is the funding from it came from the sale of equipment from World War Two supplies—and then other funding sources, of course, have been added. Now it's it's the gold standard of international funding sources. And, of course, immediately we were able to get colleagues from around the world. I guess the most meaningful to me was the first. And Dr Asna, who sang,  she, we couldn't ask this, but we learned she practiced Islam. I even had one of the leaders, not an employee but affiliated with the college, that said to me, "Why are you bringing someone here to teach Islam?"And honestly, my thought was, and I didn't say this, but my thought was "You're the very reason we're doing this!" It's that misinformation and misunderstanding. We practice, if we do practice a religion, more because of our geography, more because of our family. And to have the idea that because you don't practice Islam that it's bad, was just something not acceptable. To have her come in as a Fulbright scholar in 2006 and live with us, literally live  with us a full year, I think helped relax this idea because we know what happened in 2001 and it was a radical arm of Islam. But that was what it was. It wasn't from the Islamic faith this tragedy occurred in America. And then to have others. I mean, I remember so fondly Eric Wu from China who came in 2006, and Dr Zacarias who came from Brazil and another colleague from Indonesia. One of the most interesting to date is Dr. Svetlana Sharkova  from Ukraine. Here we are involved in an international crisis, and unfortunately it is of our making it is not Ukraine. Let me give you one thing I learned when we have students from Ukraine here, and I never shall forget this, one of the students said in our conference for him, and you were there Vilma, and we were talking about grades. How do you get grades in American colleges and universities? And how do you get grades in  Ukraine? And so one of the students says, "Well, you give faculty money. You give currency to a faculty to influence your grade." And it was said with just well, that's the standard in Ukraine. And now here is America, America, interfering with a fledgling democracy and not being the example for the world, for Ukraine, of honesty, of moral high ground. So that is not acceptable for this country to be in that position. But what is good for our students that have known Dr Sharkova and still we, as you know, we have a good relationship with professionals and presidents in Ukraine, and we've had several to come to our campus. So what a gift for our students to know both sides of this.

Vilma Fuentes:   15:42
Absolutely. And if I could, I want to add, if I may to your, uh recollection of these two scholars. So Dr. Asna Husin from Indonesia, specifically came from Banda Aceh province right after the tsunami had hit that area. And so it's a very heavily Islamic area, very conservative. Um, but she was a Harvard educated Fulbright scholar with a specialization on women in  Islam. And that was just the coolest thing to expose our students to that. And, um, Ukraine. You just mentioned that—I do wanna share with our listeners that the United States government has been investing heavily into anti-corruption strategies and in particular in the area of higher education, they've been funding a multi-year program called Strengthening Academic Integrity in Universities. So, um, a lot of work remains, but a lot has been accomplished. Thank you.

Dr. Jackson Sasser:   16:37
Well,  thank God for professionals in our government. America will be fine. The question is, at what cost? But it is those that commit their lives, like you and me, to integrity and honesty and good work. And so the professionals in the State Department are still there. They're not going anywhere. And that's the foundation of our country. And I'm not allowing that no mistakes have been made among professionals. Of course they have. But the morality of this country is insinuated in every employee that goes to work and takes the oath to defend our Constitution.

Vilma Fuentes:   17:22
So, um, since we're talking about Fulbright. The college has not only received Fulbright scholars, but we've also had a few employees travel abroad as part of the Fulbright program. Um, could you tell us about that and why these experiences were so significant?

Dr. Jackson Sasser:   17:37
Well, as I said earlier, you know I was just surprised to find that we had not. But through the Provost and—Vilma you have traveled to Ukraine and the work that you've done is just stunning—Doug Jones and Dr Dan Rodkin and again it is through individuals that come back to colleagues and then their involvement with students. And, you know, my obsession has been that students be in the room with these professionals. But for these leaders at our college to go to these different countries, mainly those of fledgling democracies, and to be inspired about what we do in America, but more importantly to take the message of honesty and integrity to these countries, is good. But the bottom line is their work comes directly back to colleagues and then to students.

Vilma Fuentes:   18:39
And for our listeners, we do have another podcast with Dr Dan Rodkin where he has shared his experiences traveling to Russia as part of the Fulbright program and then traveling to Ukraine just a few months earlier. And then what he learned about that and how he brought those experiences to the college. But let's talk more about students. So in 2004, just two years after you assumed the presidency, Santa Fe launched its first study abroad programs. Um, how important are these? And is it really necessary to send students to other countries? Do we need to do this to prepare global citizens? Uh, can't we just do it by teaching things in the classroom?

Dr. Jackson Sasser:   19:20
Well, ideally, every student, 15,000 plus students, could travel to one of these countries. That by far is the best experience. You've been in the room with me when the students return and they talk about how life changing it is. Think about a 20 year old student that comes back, and then his or her family's changed, his or her friends are changed, his or her work associates are changed forever because of that experience. That is the ideal opportunity for students. But because of restraints I've mentioned earlier,  every student can't do that. But through the students that return and through enough employees that have this experience, every student can can have involvement. And one of the things I would like to tell you is this is completely accomplished, but it isn't. But as you know, I operate always from, a pretty high level of understanding of what's needed. But then I always try to get it, whatever we aspire to, try to get it to something practical. My aspiration is that every faculty member, regardless of the subject, wouldn't just be in the syllabus you measured when it's in the course outline. Every course that we teach at some point in the semester, hopefully several times, they would relate it to something international. And then we have more assurance that every student that graduates would have some international experience. My belief of this it's so important to not do it, and double negative intended, is to not be educated. And so how could we graduate today, with the intermingling because of technology because of communication opportunities now, how could we not want every student to have an international experience? And another practical piece of this: think of any job a student acquires after they finish their experience. I can't think of any job that doesn't require doesn't call on some understanding of different cultures, different religions, different geographies. It's the right thing to do and with your leadership and others I think we've made progress.

Vilma Fuentes:   22:05
Dr. Sasser, have you travelled abroad during your presidency here?

Dr. Jackson Sasser:   22:09
I have. I chaired a  college that was forming, a private college that was forming in Dubai. My position has been, and one of the things about retirement now I will aggressively travel, but a lot of colleges, and presidents are the reason for this, they missed the mark because internationalizing a college is not about travel for the president. It's not about growing FTE. It's much richer than that. So, as you know, I have always said, and there's some countries where I need to be there because of just the affiliation, the appreciation of the highest person in the organization. I've always said to you, when I need to go sign that contract I will. Fortunately, most of them have been here, but it has been strategic on my part. So, looking at money spent, the limited resources we have,  I never wanted a thought to be that I used that for personal and or professional reasons. So I have not actively traveled. But we have 3 trip plans. One in Europe on then others around. One I'm not aware of because Layne's planned it for my February one—the first day I moved to a different opportunity. I would be retired, but we will now experience those opportunities that I have foregone during this presidency.

Vilma Fuentes:   23:59
Exciting. So I'll be anxiously awaiting to hear more after your February trip. Um, so in recent years, Santa Fe has been able to expose students and especially administrators, to higher education leaders from around the world. We did this by partnering with Florida State University as the lead community college partner on a community college administrator program funded by the U. S Department of State. Tell us about this program Why has it been significant?

Dr. Jackson Sasser:   24:30
Well, it is through leaders where change occurs primarily if the president of a college or University  doesn't have some vision of the possible then  it just doesn't happen. And so to think we've had two sets of presidents from Ukraine. To think that we've had presidents from Egypt, and then we're hoping, as you allow the next Fulbright will be from Egypt. What a gift. And so to have presidents from these countries that I look at with fledging democracies, they want the help, the hope, that we've lived through through our Constitution and our practice heretofore. And so I think it's one of the one of the best things that has occurred. And also one of the gifts to me was to be able to speak at the Department of State, and you were there. Interestingly, my career started in graduate school in the Department of State when I was invited to go to be assistant program there through my major professor. And then to be able to address colleagues and then to learn our last group under my presidency will be from Africa. And what a moving experience for us to welcome these leaders and to to hear their questions, which was a cry for hope. A cry for doing the work that we've done at this college, to know how to do it. I I think of our contribution to the world. I think that's probably one of the best investments we made. But then, back to the practicality of this, guess how many students met them. Guess how many students learned the difference. Maybe an appreciation occurred for what we have here in America. So I think it's one of the best opportunities that we have. I'm especially grateful to the Department of State and the professionals that work there and for that program still being supported.

Vilma Fuentes:   26:57
And I should add that we have another podcast where we heard from three of the visiting presidents from South African technical colleges. And they shared their perspectives on their experience here at Santa Fe and what they had learned. Um, but let me go back. You mentioned that you were in Washington. There was a meeting at the U. S. Department of State, and specifically it was from select alumni from previous community college administrator programs. So, uh, I think that that event really made a big impression on you for several reasons. But I remember there was one day in particular when everyone gathered at the hotel lobby and you were there, and you looked around the room. Um, tell us about that.

Dr. Jackson Sasser:   27:43
Yeah, well I said to you, and it was it wasn't emotional experience, I said that this is the reason this is the raison d'etre of our internationalizing the college. To see these colleagues now, these friends, these deeply committed relationships that we have, to see them gathering to go to dinner and just reconnect. Some had just landed from Dallas. And to see that connection, that friendship, that is the ultimate goal of our internationalizing the college. It is a peaceful mission. It is about an understanding. Education is about informing and celebrating and confronting differences. And if you don't do that with an informed background with impeccably credentialed faculty on and leaders, then not only have we missed an opportunity for our students, we've missed an opportunity to be ambassadors in the world. And I don't know if a program ever where I saw and it was it was interesting—as you know, I went to the side and it was an emotional experience to see the connections and the joy that that came. Some couldn't even speak the same language. We communicated. We knew exactly.  Friendship was being renewed. And that will be a lifetime memory. And then hopefully a lifetime investment for the good.

Vilma Fuentes:   29:38
So you've talked about how these various programs, some of them grant funded, have enriched our students or faculty are administrators. Let's talk about the community. We've also been able to bring international experiences to the community at a minimum, through fine art. Could could you please give us a few examples

Dr. Jackson Sasser:   29:59
To see the work of genius, the way I would think of it in residence of this college, Alberto Alonzo, who started ballet years ago in Cuba. And then to think that Russia, the only time a non Russian ballet was performed at the Bolshoi was Alberto Alonzo, and then it was brought home. It had been 17 years since it had been performed with a full orchestra and to see the fine arts hall—the pit, the orchestra pit with with an orchestra. And then the professionals from New York perform this beautiful ballet. And to think the college had some role in that, minor as it were, but importance to no end; not just for the audience, but certainly as you mentioned for the community. But if there's anything that I know as I close this portion of my career, is a celebration of people. Celebration of getting the right people in the right positions. And Alora Haynes, department chair of Fine Arts, has just done magnificent work, pulling people together. First, she knew Alberto was in need of a place to live. Alberto and his wife lived with her for a year, and then he became a scholar in residence at the college. Then force through fundraising and other abilities were able, and other resources, we were able to put performances together. A movie has been made of Alberto's life. And so that was almost a culmination of a career from a commitment made like internationalizing. It was it was the crown jewel. It was pièce de résistance.  It was the best. And back to where we started: why would a community college student not be introduced and provided the best? Why not be a Steinway college, if that's the best? And so that's the record and that's the commitment we made here. I think not only were our students, our faculty, our staff, but certainly the community was enriched as well.

Vilma Fuentes:   32:39
And we also have another podcast that talked about the historical significance of the Carmen suite and why it was so important for our college to bring it here. And by the way, are we a Steinway college?

Dr. Jackson Sasser:   32:52
Yes, we are.

Vilma Fuentes:   32:54
did you How did you manage that?

Dr. Jackson Sasser:   32:55
Well, it's about resources. There are men and women in the community. Certainly we wouldn't have the funds, we wouldn't spend limited resources of the college, just like we go to the Department of State Department education. Marvin Grishin and Peggy Grisham, generous donors of the college, love the arts. Marvin was on our foundation board, and I remember sitting in the newly constructed Fine Arts Hall and told him about the need. The Fine Arts Hall really came together. We built it in a recession so we kept adding things because the subs came in less than we had thought. And so it is a beautiful edifice. Not just in looks, but acoustics are almost perfect in the building. Everybody has a good seat. So why not populate that hall with the best instruments? And then if you're going to do that, and that's the Steinway Grand D I think it was. Oh, we went to New York and Evans, the director of the orchestra, and our Provost who is a master pianist—he took piano 16 years—they selected the piano. Then so why wouldn't all of our pianos that our students practice and perform with, why wouldn't they be the best? And so that literally is how we became a Steinway College.

Vilma Fuentes:   34:30
Beautiful. Thank you. So one will you retire as president of Santa Fe?

Dr. Jackson Sasser:   34:35
Yeah. So, my last day is January the 31st 2020. Ah, but I will not retire from the love of this college. And I am so grateful that one of the, um, kind of projects we joined arms around with leaders like you and others. I'm so proud to hand off to Dr Broadie, Paul Broadie, with whom I'm speaking this afternoon again and we have many conversations to come. I'm so pleased to hand this off and I know his commitment will be equal, and then he will enrich it further because of his experience.

Vilma Fuentes:   35:16
So when you look back on your last 17 years as president, do you think you accomplish the goals you set for yourself and the college in the area of internationalization?

Dr. Jackson Sasser:   35:25
Vilma I share this with you before and, you know I don't have parameters. And when I look at something, I want it to be the very best. I just don't accept less than, never have. I've always said people can get to 90%. That's good. A few can get to 100%. And the college aspires to that. This program exceeds anything I could have imagined 18 years ago. It exceeds it. And I can't tell you how grateful I am that you and others have literally placed that opportunity for our students, our employees and the communities we serve. So whether not qualified, yes. And I can't say that about most things. There are areas that we didn't reach the standard. We didn't reach a level of accomplishment. But in the area of internationalizing the college, it's the crown jewel. Yes, not only do we reach it, we exceeded even my bloated expectation and aspiration.

Vilma Fuentes:   36:43
Well, thank you for your time, for your leadership all these years and for helping us produce global citizens.

Dr. Jackson Sasser:   0:00
  Thank you.