Redevelopment of Norris University Center’s East Lawn to begin this summer
April 5, 2024
A one-day institute hosted by Northwestern University on Thursday, June 23, will bring together leaders from Northwestern and across the nation to address best practices in improving safety and security for students studying abroad.
“Beyond the Basics of Health, Safety, Security and Risk Management” is sponsored by the Forum on Education Abroad, the organization that sets the standards for U.S. study abroad administrators.
Julie Friend, director of the Office of Global Safety and Security at Northwestern and a nationally recognized leader in addressing security and safety issues in the world of academe, will be among the Northwestern experts featured on an institute panel.
Dr. Stephen Hargarten, M.D., associate dean for global health at the Medical College of Wisconsin, will be the plenary speaker. An emergency physician, Hargarten will address the need for collaboration between risk management and public health sciences to implement data-driven risk prevention and mitigation strategies for students abroad.
Issues related to study abroad that will be covered include student travel to Israel; study in “high risk” locations; sexual violence; mental health; dealing with pre-existing health conditions; students with unique needs; learning from other industries with safety and risk management experience.
Six Northwestern experts will serve as panelists: Erin Clark, assistant director of the Center for Awareness, Response and Education (CARE); Karey Fuhs, associate director of the Office of International Program Development; Francesca Miroballi, adviser and coordinator of Campus Outreach in the Study Abroad Office; Carrie Wachter, coordinator of Sexual Violence Response Services and Advocacy (CARE); Kathleen Lee, assistant director of external programs at the Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications; and Friend, who also co-chairs the Forum Standards Institute Planning Committee.
This marks the second time Northwestern has hosted this national event, which brings to campus experienced professionals from across the country to discuss best practices in risk management, regulatory compliance and safety and security for students in education abroad.
The Institute reflects Northwestern’s deep commitment to striving for the highest standards in study abroad programming and the expansion of study abroad among higher education institutions. At Northwestern, the number of undergraduates participating in study abroad increased from approximately 100 in the 1997-98 academic year to more than 750 in 2014-15.
