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MSE Seminar: “Managing Intercultural Interactions in a Challenging Global Higher Education Landscape”
October 31, 2019 at 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM
The rapidly diversifying face of colleges and universities in the United States including the University of Pennsylvania require that we are able to manage intercultural relationships from different backgrounds. We are all working in a multicultural institution, with students, faculty and staff from all over the world. This makes for a very diverse, vibrant community – and at times, a rather confusing one. This session will promote intercultural competence, cultural humility and heighten cross-cultural awareness. You will engage in a presentation and discussion about culture, values, perceptions, and communication styles and cultural patterns of thought and behavior that will help you understand the basic concepts, theories and issues of intercultural communication related to intercultural relationships and how these concepts apply to your personal and professional lives.
Rodolfo (Rudie) Altamirano
Director, International Student & Scholar Services and Immigration and Integration Services
Dr. Rodolfo (Rudie) Altamirano is the director of the International Student and Scholar Services and director of Immigration and Integration Services at the University of Pennsylvania. His main responsibility is to provide overall leadership in determining and implementing organizational and campus-wide strategies including the delivery of quality services and programs to international students, scholars, faculty, staff, exchange visitors and community members. Dr. Altamirano coordinates Penn’s International Students Advisory Board (ISAB) and International Partners Outreach Group (IPOG). He conceptualized and is spearheading Penn’s Intercultural Leadership Program (ILP). He has developed creative endeavors and innovative programs to advocate for international education and intercultural learning. He has previously served in international education leadership positions at Michigan State University and the University of Michigan. He holds a doctoral degree from Michigan State University. He was elected national Chair of KCISSS (Knowledge Community for International Students and Scholars
He was a recipient of the International Education Administrators Fulbright award. He has presented and conducted more than a hundred immigration, cross-cultural communication and conflict resolution workshops nationally and internationally. He has developed creative strategies and innovative programs to advocate for international education and intercultural learning. He enjoys traveling to different cultures because of the colorful educational experience that he gains from these journeys. He cherishes meeting students from all corners of the world because of the cross-cultural learning opportunities that are within his grasp. On the other hand, He savors sharing his cultural experiences not only through formal workshops that he conducts but also through the informal interactions that he has with the students, scholars, staff and faculty. He is greatly fascinated with learning the cultures and languages of the world. He and his wife have three beautiful daughters.