University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC) Updates

1. Save the Date – USAC Quarterly Update

Please save the date for our next USAC Quarterly Update:

·       Friday, November 21, 2025

·       10 AM Pacific Time

·       Register to Attend here: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/5f536c52-a535-4ca2-8910-39af10fcee95@93785cd6-2c29-4c60-9817-e42e730ab9e9

We’ll share USAC enrollment trends, program updates, new initiatives, and resources to support your advising and outreach. Please feel free to pass this along to colleagues who may wish to attend.

2. Professor Highlight Recording – Reggio Emilia Insights: Inspiring New Ways to Learn

In case you missed it, I invite you to watch the recording of our recent Professor Highlight session:

Reggio Emilia Insights: Inspiring New Ways to Learn

In this presentation, Prof. Chiara Borelli (USAC Reggio Emilia, Italy) discussed the Reggio Emilia educational approach and philosophy and shares how USAC students engage with this world-renowned model through:

• Courses in Early Childhood Education, Reggio & Montessori approaches, models of teaching, and child development
• Field trips, internships, volunteering, and hands-on projects in local schools and community organizations

Prof. Borelli has been teaching with USAC since 2014 and brings extensive experience as a preschool, elementary, and special education teacher, along with a Master’s and Ph.D. in Pedagogy. She is a postdoctoral research fellow and visiting lecturer at the Universities of Bologna and Parma, and co-founder of Il Tappo di Sughero (“the cork”), a center in Parma focused on psycho-physical wellbeing for children and adults.

Recording: https://youtu.be/4GBpqCBknFY?si=gycbAh7QmMzC6Il8

Please feel free to share this recording with interested faculty in Education, Child Development, Psychology, and related fields.

3. USAC Institutional Relations – China Session: “Modern China Unfolded”

I’m also pleased to share details about another recent session:

Modern China Unfolded: Social Dynamics, Commerce, and Learning in Context

Featured Speakers

• Prof. Ren Xiankai – Associate Professor of Comparative Literature and Chinese Studies, Ph.D. in Comparative Literature. Prof. Ren has taught in the USAC Chengdu program since 2005, including the course Modern Chinese Culture and Society.
• Prof. Yang Baohua – Associate Professor, School of Business, Shanghai Normal University, Ph.D. in Economics. She teaches Chinese Business Issues and Practices and International Business Management for USAC.

Session Overview
This presentation discussed the social and cultural environments where USAC students live and learn in China today. From the politics, education, and everyday traditions of Chengdu to global business practices and company visits in Shanghai, the session highlights how social dynamics, traditions, and business realities shape students’ experiences.

Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lto1U1TXQIA

4. Spring Travel Planning – Now Accepting Save the Dates

Spring travel planning is right around the corner, and I’d love to coordinate with your office. Please let me know any dates you have in mind for:

• Campus visits and advising tables
• Study abroad fairs and info sessions
• Classroom presentations and faculty/department meetings

If you already have tentative dates in mind, or if you’d like to brainstorm what might work best for your campus, email charles.petranek@usac.edu and we can start planning.