OCC faculty member Sarah Lemelin has been selected for the U.S. Department of Education’s
2022 Fulbright-Hays Seminars Abroad program in Norway. The program provides U.S. educators in the arts, social sciences
and humanities opportunities to participate in short-term seminars abroad to improve
their understanding and knowledge of the world’s peoples and cultures.
Lemelin, who started teaching at OCC in 1994 as an adjunct faculty member, has been
an ESL faculty member since 2001. With a passion for global language, culture and
experiences, she also teaches Italian language classes and a virtual study abroad
Global Studies course—and serves as an advisor to the College’s Auburn Hills International
Student Club, co-directs the Conversation Partner Program, and helps mentor students
who are pursuing OCC’s Global Literacy Endorsement.
Lemelin will spend four weeks this summer with 15 other college and university educators
exploring Norwegian culture in the seminar titled “Typically Atypical: The Many Facets of Modern Norway.” Educators were selected based on their proposals submitted late last year on several
criteria including professional and community activities and plans to implement the experiences
into their classrooms and communities.
When she began the application process last fall, Lemelin started thinking about how
she could incorporate learning about Norwegian culture and civil society into the
many cross-cultural topics that her ESL, Italian and Italian culture students explore.
As a consummate learner and educator, she will use what she learns to develop a curriculum
project for OCC students upon her return in July.
“Since Norway consistently ranks very highly in a variety of global indices, including equality, human development, democracy, transparency, happiness and well-being,
learning more about its people and culture can serve as an interesting counterpoint
when examining a variety of topics that our students are interested in, including
education, health care, environmental sustainability, immigration and acculturation,
quality of life and work-life balance,” she said.
Lemelin said she is honored to be selected for the program and is consistently grateful
for and inspired by her colleagues across disciplines and in the Global Education
Committee.
“I'm particularly indebted to our Auburn Hills ESL Coordinator Jennifer Craft, Dean
Cindy Carbone, and OCC’s Director of Global Education, Eleonora Bagatelia, for their
support in applying to this program.”
Carbone, who provided a letter of recommendation within the application process, said
she is thrilled for Lemelin and the opportunity she will have in this program.
“Sarah’s commitment to global education and diversity is a hallmark for OCC. She is
an ambassador for all our students, especially our ESL students, and this experience
will not only broaden her knowledge about Norway, but once she returns, she will share
her experiences and engage and inspire others,” Carbone said. “We are extremely proud
of Sarah for being chosen for this wonderful opportunity.”
Lemelin encourages her OCC colleagues to check out next year's seminars when the applications
open this fall. For further information visit the Fulbright-Hays Seminars Abroad program
website.
###
About OCC
Offering nearly 100 degrees and certificates, OCC is Michigan’s largest multi-campus
community college and No. 1 transfer institution in the state. The College provides
academic, career training and enriching experiences, designed to empower students
to reach their potential and enhance our community. More than 1 million students have
enrolled in the College since it opened in 1965. A seven-person Board of Trustees
governs OCC. Board members are elected on a non-partisan, at-large basis, serve as
volunteers and are not paid. Mission statement: OCC is committed to empowering our
students to succeed and advancing our community. Learn more at oaklandcc.edu.
Media Contact: Marketing & Communications | (248) 341-2020 | contactus@oaklandcc.edu