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"Beyond a change of scenery, I wanted to have a real-world context in order to put college in perspective. I knew that I would not be satisfied if I didn't feel like I was interacting with real people and giving back to the community from which I was absorbing so much. By placing myself in different surroundings and exposing myself to new situations, I learned about myself in many ways."
- Bronwyn, IPSL Mexico program
"Partnerships" E-Newsletter August 2008
New York (July 14, 2008) – The International Partnership for Service-Learning and Leadership (IPSL) announced today that they are pursuing a partnership with Portland State University (PSU) in which PSU will become the new academic home for the IPSL Master of Arts program in International Service.
The International Partnership for Service-Learning and Leadership, founded in 1982, is a not-for-profit educational organization serving students, colleges, universities, service agencies, and related organizations around the world by fostering programs that link volunteer service to the community and academic study.
Portland State University (PSU) has distinguished itself as a leader in the field of service-learning and has been recognized nationally for implementing a campus-wide engagement strategy that involves students and faculty in service-learning activities.
"We are thrilled to announce this new partnership," said Margaret Pusch, Chair, IPSL Board of Trustees. "With similar service-learning missions, both IPSL and PSU see this partnership as a way to develop shared programming, research, and student services."
In addition, with this new partnership, IPSL announced it will relocate from New York City to Portland, Oregon. "By late fall, IPSL will move its operations to Portland to have better proximity to the PSU campus," said Pusch. More information about move date and location will be forthcoming.
IPSL will continue to offer its core undergraduate service-learning programs in Ecuador, Mexico, Jamaica, Italy, India, Thailand, and with the Lakota Nation (USA), as well as offer a new option for customized programs in five different nations for college, university and other groups.
The current M.A. in International Service (MAIS) program, with a degree awarded by Roehampton University, London, will have its final cohort in 2008-09. Beginning in 2009-10, the program will be offered with a revised curriculum through Portland State University. The MAIS program prepares skilled professionals to take on leadership roles in agencies serving
the needs of diverse populations on the local and international levels. Students will engage in service-learning in Portland, Oregon, and in Kingston, Jamaica, or Guadalajara, Mexico.
Updated information for all IPSL programs will be available in August 2008.
IPSL has also appointed Peter Criswell as Interim President for IPSL, effective July 7, 2008.
"Peter brings tremendous skill and experience to his interim leadership role at IPSL," said Pusch. "He will draw upon his hands-on knowledge having previously served as the organization's Director of Student Programs. Criswell has a long history of working with nonprofits and has served two successful tenures as an Executive Director."
Criswell will replace Nevin Brown, IPSL President, who will step out of his role as President on July 15, 2008, and will begin a new position on September 2, 2008 as the Director of the Postsecondary Initiative with ACHIEVE, a Washington, DC-based education policy.
Criswell will serve as Interim President while the IPSL Board conducts the search and selection process that will result in the appointment of a new president, who will be based in Portland. The IPSL board and staff will work closely with Criswell during the interim period to continue a 26-year history of providing high quality service-learning programs around the globe and promoting the theory and practice of service-learning.
