GLEASON RECEIVES FULBRIGHT TO UKRAINE

Sept. 26, 2003

GLEASON RECEIVES FULBRIGHT TO UKRAINE

Gregory Gleason, professor of political science and public administration at the University of New Mexico, has received a Fulbright Senior Specialists grant in public administration to Sumy State University in the Ukraine.

The Fulbright Senior Specialists program awards short-term grants - durations of two to six weeks - to leading U.S. academics and professionals in support of curricular and faculty development and institutional planning at academic institutions in 140 countries. Grantees also undertake activities such as providing teacher training, developing and assessing curricula or educational materials, and leading seminars, workshops or conducting needs assessments.

Created to complement the traditional Fulbright Scholar program, the program increases opportunities to study abroad. Its purpose is to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and those in other countries.

At UNM since 1988, Gleason is an expert in international relations and post-communist political development.

"At this time of significant change in the international community it is crucially important that scholars apply their theoretical knowledge to the solutions of pressing social, economic and governmental problems," Gleason said. "Ukraine is in the advanced stages of the transition from communism. American scholars have much to gain from collaboration with Ukrainian colleagues in studying the changes that have taken place in Ukraine's public sector during the last decade.

"The Fulbright Senior Specialists program is a new and innovative way to increase communication and mutual understanding in ways that will improve international cooperation," Gleason adds.
Patti McGill Peterson, executive director of the Council for International Exchange of Scholars, the organization that manages the Fulbright Scholar program, said the program offers another option for busy scholars.

"The traditional Fulbright Scholar program awards grants ranging from two months to an academic year. Some academics and professionals find it difficult to be away overseas for that length of time," she said.

The program awards grants throughout the year. For more information, visit the CIES Web site at http://www.cies.org.

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