Global International Studies Taskforce (GIST)

Mission & Vision

The International Education Committee of Elgin Community College, the Global/International Studies Taskforce (GIST), strives to develop and sustain a comprehensive culture of internationalization throughout the campus community. The committee is tasked with providing leadership to enhance the global competence of faculty, staff, and students in support of the strategic plan's goals.

Global Scholar Designation

The Global Scholar Designation recognizes students who have focused their coursework on developing global knowledge, awareness, and intercultural competencies. Through a specialized selection of courses, students gain a deeper understanding of diverse cultures, global issues, and their place within an interconnected world. The designation appears on a student's transcript, highlighting their global learning achievements and helping them stand out in academic and career paths that value international perspectives. For more information, view the catalog.

Beyond Borders: Global Engagement and Professional Development Program

The Beyond Borders: Global Engagement and Professional Development Program is a short-term international training program for eligible ECC faculty and administrators. The program is designed to expand participants’ global consciousness and intercultural understanding through exposure to a foreign culture and various international programming and site visits. Through these engagements, participants will have the opportunity to learn about a foreign educational system, visit various institutions and the host partner organization/institution, experience a new culture, participate in cultural visits to sites of local and historical significance, and make new connections. Emphasis is placed on professional activities that provide participants with international experiences that can be used to transform or complement their professional duties at ECC.

Program Learning Outcomes 

This program’s learning outcomes align with ECC’s mission to improve people’s lives through learning.

Through our decisions and actions, we empower:

• Participants to reach their goals in an equitable and welcoming environment
• Employees to thrive and fully use their collective talents 
• Our Community to transform and enrich the world

Through participation in this program, participants should be able to:

1. Analyze a point of view or cultural experience from outside the United States.
2. Understand the general educational system of the host country.
3. Identify opportunities for future international partnerships or programs that benefit participants.
4. Apply the information and experiences from the international professional program to inform or complement their role at ECC.
5. Examine the global role and value of in-person education abroad programming for ECC participants and employees. 

International Education Week

International Education Week is dedicated to exploring the rich diversity and global perspectives that shape our world. Whether you're a student, faculty member, or community participant, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. ECC recognizes and honors the diverse cultures and heritages that our community brings to campus.

Every November, ECC explores and celebrates global cultures and perspectives through a range of activities, including cultural showcases, international cuisine, film screenings, and insightful lectures. The week is a unique opportunity to connect with diverse communities, explore global issues, and broaden your understanding of the world. Don't miss out on this exciting week dedicated to embracing and learning from our global community. The Global/International Studies Taskforce, Center for Student Experience and Engagement, Center for Global Engagement, and the United Students of All Cultures sponsor the week's events.

International Education Week Events

Bill Pelz Global Speaker Series

The Bill Pelz Global Speaker Series was established as an on-campus series of discussions featuring ECC scholars who explore global issues, trends, and concerns through thoughtful presentations and conversations. The speaker series was named in memory of the late William Pelz, PhD, who taught history and political science at ECC for over 19 years. The event is sponsored by the ECC Global/International Studies Team (GIST). Through thoughtful and engaging discussions of current international events, the series aims to promote critical thinking about global affairs and deepen our understanding of the world.

The series consists of four events during the academic year—two in the fall semester and two in the spring semester.

Watch Former Lectures