��������

Table of Contents

• From the Director's Desk
• Building Bridges in Nigeria: Expanding Kent State's Global Reach
• Calling Our Fulbright Alumni: Help Shape the Next Generation of Global Educators
• Spotlight: Aggarwal-Blackburn Visiting Scholar Seiya Ogihara
• Honoring Dr. Raj Aggarwal Through the Aggarwal-Blackburn Visiting Scholar Program

From the Director's Desk 

This summer has been one of growth, collaboration, and global connections for the Gerald H. Read Center for International and Intercultural Education. From welcoming international scholars and supporting their research, to advancing new partnerships in Nigeria and across the globe, to preparing teacher trainings that will impact hundreds of educators, our work continues to expand the reach and reputation of ��������. Along the way, we’ve celebrated the legacy of long-standing friends of the Center, contributed to meaningful grant proposals, and deepened our engagement with alumni and professional networks. As we move into the fall semester, I am energized by the opportunities ahead and grateful for the remarkable community that makes this work possible.

Pictured above: Amanda Johnson with His Royal Majesty, Oba Abdul Rasaq Adeshina Adenugba, the Ebumawe of Ago Iwoye (center) and Dr. Kayode Adewale, former Kent State Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement (TEA) grantee and Education Ambassador for Ogun State, Nigeria, pictured with his family.

Building Bridges in Nigeria: Expanding Kent State’s Global Reach

This summer, Amanda Johnson, Director of the Gerald H. Read Center for International and Intercultural Education, traveled to Ogun State, Nigeria, to strengthen partnerships and advance Kent State’s commitment to global education. The visit was part of a broader collaboration with the Ogun State Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology, and provided a platform for deepening educational and cultural ties between Kent State and Nigerian institutions.

During the five-day visit, Johnson met with a wide range of stakeholders, including university leaders, government officials, principals, and educators. She delivered a series of professional development trainings, including sessions on the scholarship of teaching and learning and mindfulness in the classroom, reaching hundreds of teachers, school leaders, and Ogun State policymakers. These programs were designed to promote innovative approaches to teaching and learning, while also providing practical tools that educators can apply immediately in their classrooms.

The trip also highlighted the strong personal and professional connections fostered through Fulbright and other exchange programs. Johnson spent time with Dr. Kayode Adewale, a former Kent State Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement (TEA) scholar and current Education Ambassador for Ogun State. Dr. Adewale introduced her to his community and family, underscoring the power of educational exchange to build lasting friendships and networks that extend beyond borders.

Cultural immersion was an integral part of the journey. Johnson had the honor of meeting His Royal Majesty, Adetoye Alatishe, Gbegande of Ososa, experiencing Nigerian hospitality, and engaging with local traditions. These moments of cultural exchange enriched the trip, offering new perspectives on the role of education in community life.
The visit was also marked by recognition of Kent State’s leadership in global education. The U.S. Consulate in Lagos awarded a $50,000 grant in support of the Center’s work in Nigeria, affirming the importance of this partnership and opening new opportunities for collaborative projects in the region.

Reflecting on the experience, Johnson noted, “The week was both demanding and deeply rewarding. It was an opportunity not only to share knowledge but also to learn from Nigerian educators and leaders. The exposure for Kent State was tremendous, and I look forward to building on the momentum of this visit.”
As Kent State prepares for the academic year ahead, the Center remains committed to advancing international partnerships that expand opportunities for students, faculty, and communities at home and abroad.

Calling Our Fulbright Alumni: Help Shape the Next Generation of Global Educators

This spring, the Gerald H. Read Center for International and Intercultural Education will launch a new program, “Teaching Without Borders,” in collaboration with the Office of Professional Development and the Office of Clinical Field Experiences, designed to support U.S. undergraduate and graduate teacher trainees in bringing international perspectives into their future K–12 classrooms. 

The four-part series will guide teacher candidates through:

• Exploring international education theory and its connections to K–12 learning.
• Designing classroom-ready activities that bring global perspectives to everyday lessons.
• Engaging in real-time virtual exchange (COIL) with an international K–12 classroom led by one of our Fulbright TEA alumni.
• Reflecting and planning how to sustain international perspectives throughout their teaching careers.

We are reaching out to you, our Fulbright alumni, because your expertise and experience are essential to this vision. By sharing your classrooms, co-leading an exchange activity, or offering mentorship to teacher trainees, you can help demonstrate the transformative power of international education.

This is a unique opportunity for alumni to:

• Showcase how you are internationalizing your own classrooms.
• Provide teacher trainees with authentic, cross-cultural experiences.
• Stay connected with Kent State’s international education initiatives and strengthen the Fulbright alumni network.

If you are interested in participating—or if you would like to learn more—please reach out to us at ciie@kent.edu.  Together, we can ensure that tomorrow’s teachers are prepared to foster globally competent students who are ready for a connected world.

Spotlight: Aggarwal-Blackburn Visiting Scholar Seiya Ogihara

The Read Center is pleased to welcome Seiya Ogihara, an administrator from the University of Tokyo, as our newest Aggarwal-Blackburn Visiting Scholar. Mr. Ogihara is participating in the Long-Term Education Administrators Program (LEAP), a professional development initiative sponsored by Japan’s Ministry of Education (MEXT) and hosted by Montana State University. LEAP immerses Japanese higher education leaders in the U.S. university system through English study, extended campus placements, and a capstone in Washington, D.C.
At Kent State, Mr. Ogihara will be working closely with the Gerald H. Read Center and the Office of International Admissions through March 2026. His practicum focuses on advancing global engagement strategies and exploring best practices in international student recruitment and support. We are honored to host Mr. Ogihara and look forward to learning from his insights while strengthening ties with the University of Tokyo.

Honoring Dr. Raj Aggarwal Through the Aggarwal-Blackburn Visiting Scholar Program

The Gerald H. Read Center for International and Intercultural Education is proud to continue advancing global scholarship through the Aggarwal-Blackburn Visiting Scholar Program. This program, supported by an endowed fund generously established by Dr. Raj and Karen Aggarwal provides research fellowships each semester for international visiting scholars at ��������.

Beginning in January 2026, the program will award stipends each fall and spring to incoming scholars, with priority given to those who are self-funded. Each fellowship provides financial support to help scholars pursue collaborative research, engage with faculty, and share their expertise through public lectures. Selected scholars will formally affiliate with the Read Center and the Aggarwal-Blackburn Fellowship, ensuring their contributions are recognized as part of this enduring legacy.

The program reflects Dr. Aggarwal’s lifelong commitment to fostering academic exchange and international collaboration. While we mourn his passing, we celebrate the impact of his vision: enabling scholars from around the world to contribute their knowledge to Kent State while building lasting ties with our community. Through these fellowships, Dr. Aggarwal’s legacy will continue to shape scholarship, dialogue, and global engagement for years to come.

To learn more about the Aggarwal-Blackburn Visiting Scholar Program, please visit our website.