GLENSIDE, PA—April 11, 2016 – Six Arcadia faculty members from the College of Health Sciences, School of Education as well as the Dean of the School of Global Business visited the town of San Pedro, on Ambergris Caye, off the mainland of Belize from February 27 through February 28, 2016. All who attended were there to evaluate opportunities for community outreach, student research and education for all three colleges/schools.
Arcadia University has a history of global outreach and global social responsibility that has and will continue to pave the way to inspire growth in small communities internationally. Currently, Arcadia is working with leaders from the emerging community of the island of San Pedro, Belize. Through this partnership, Arcadia will assess, evaluate, and provide assistance in various areas of expertise, including health services, education, and business. This is the first of what will hopefully become several global outreach initiatives.
This relationship is a result of Arcadia alumna, Lara Goldman. Goldman, who currently resides in Belize, saw there was a great need for physical therapy while volunteering at a local camp for children with special needs. Shortly after, Goldman contacted the College of Health Sciences at Arcadia and asked if any alumni would be willing to come down and volunteer at the camp. After seeing what these volunteers could do for the community, Goldman developed a vision and flew to Pennsylvania to meet with members of the Arcadia community where she developed relationships with the School of Education, College of Health Sciences and the School of Global Business.
Arcadia faculty, along with graduate and undergraduate students will play a key role in educating the developing community of San Pedro. Arcadia sees this opportunity as the next step in the process of integrating global awareness by creating opportunities for its faculty and students to engage in global research while contributing to international community based learning.
After a fruitful initial visit to San Pedro, Belize Arcadia plans to move forward with the global outreach initiative as they travel back to Belize in August, 2016 to begin educating the community in the areas of business, education, and healthcare.
Ideally, Arcadia would like to provide assistance to continue future success in building a prosperous community through developing ways to:
* Train community leaders in the areas of leadership, budgeting, and marketing;
* Assist the Polyclinic with general maternity and infant/child care;
* Address Special Education programs at local schools.
A news release with more information and updates will circulate weekly.
