by Elizabeth Ashford
Staff Writer

Appalachian State University hopes to increase possibilities for diversity by beginning a faculty and student exchange program with Winston-Salem State University next spring.

The program will focus initially on an exchange program between faculty and may lead to an exchange program for students as well.

“Broadly, we want to use a faculty exchange program to pursue social diversity and multicultural goals and initiatives,” Associate Vice Chancellor for Diversity Dr. Harry L. Williams said.

“There is little doubt that today, given the magnitude of the demographic, economic, and political changes that are occurring not only here at home but also internationally, a proper education is a multicultural education,” Williams said.

Williams said that students need to be prepared to live and work in diverse situations and have an increased awareness of other people’s interests and traditions.

Williams said the official signing to begin the program will take place once Dr. Kenneth E. Peacock takes position as chancellor, July 1.

The first group of students to participate in the program will be from the Reich College of Education.

“We have some education students who have to do an internship in Winston-Salem

and instead of staying in hotels, they will be staying on the campus of Winston-Salem State in residence halls,” Williams said. He said the students and faculty would have access to all of the school’s facilities.

Williams said the two schools are also working on international exchanges so that Appalachian and Winston-Salem students will be able to go on each other’s study abroad trips.

“Winston-Salem State has 20 faculty in their college of business and we have just over 80 in our college of business, and so we’re looking at ways to work together to create additional opportunities for our students,” Acting Dean of Walker College of Business Lyle F. Schoenfeldt said.

“Winston-Salem State has an international program in South Africa, and we have some in Asia, and so Appalachian State can involve some of Winston-Salem State students in our trips to Asia and they can involve some of our students in their trip to South Africa,” Schoenfeldt said.

Williams said they hope the faculty exchange program will be ready to go by next spring. They hope to start with an exchange of one faculty member from each school. He said the student exchange program has not been worked out yet.

Senior Associate Provost for Undergraduate Programs Merdis J. McCarter of Winston-Salem State University said that when the deans from both schools met, they began to focus on the benefits for students, particularly in the area of a study abroad opportunity in Mexico. She said it would be an opportunity to study a language and culture for the students involved in the trip.