As always, MIIS students lead the way as we march into 2015.
As we look forward to a 2015 full of promise and exciting new initiatives, here are some of the most important and compelling stories we shared with you in 2014:
Leadership Transition at MIIS
The Middlebury Board of Trustees announced in November that it had chosen Laurie L. Patton to become the 17th President of Middlebury. Later in November, MIIS President Sunder Ramaswamy announced that he will step down in early 2015. Succeeding him at the helm of the Institute is Jeff Dayton-Johnson, who has been appointed vice president for academic affairs and dean of the Institute.
TEDxTalks Features Talk by MIIS Professors and Alumnus
A unique tri-lingual TEDxMonterey talk by Professors Laura Burian and Barry Olsen and then-student Miguel Garcia offering a live demonstration illustrating the profession of interpretation was featured as an Editor's Pick on TEDxTalks. Another highlight for Burian was when she interpreted for First Lady Michelle Obama and family on their trip to China in March.
Gifts to the Monterey Institute Double
Gifts to the Monterey Institute more than doubled in the FY14 fiscal year, topping $6.5 million, a development President Ramaswamy called “gratifying and humbling.” Large gifts included a pledge of $2 million from an anonymous donor for immersive learning opportunities and the endowment, and another anonymous gift of $2 million for language scholarships.
MIIS Student Wins Projects for Peace Fellowship for Cholera Prevention Project in Haiti
Monterey Institute student Wesley Laine received $10,000 in funding for his Cholera prevention project in Haiti through the prestigious Projects for Peace fellowship. In 2013, Wesley was invited to speak about his project at the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting.
Academic Programs at MIIS Continue to Evolve and Innovate
Reflecting the changing demands on graduates in their chosen fields, the Monterey Institute made several changes and enhancements to programs offered in the Graduate School of International Policy and Management. In addition, a new master's degree in International Trade and Economic Diplomacy will launch next fall.