In her new role as the associate director of global education in the Office of the Vice Provost for Global Affairs, Sharmila Udyavar looks forward to equipping UNC students for the global professional world. She began her appointment in January.
“It was a very strong, competitive pool of candidates," Heather Ward, associate provost for global affairs, said. "And we were thrilled to find our most talented and experienced global education expert right here in North Carolina at Fayetteville State University."
Udyavar said that she spent years at FSU working with students on partnerships and study abroad experiences. But she realized it was time for a change.
She plans to focus on preparing students for careers in diplomacy in international affairs in her role at UNC.
“I am extremely passionate about the need for every student to get a global experience,” Udyavar said. “I think Carolina has the resources, the commitment, the focus to help me provide that.”
The Office of the Vice Provost for Global Affairs works to ensure a "Global Guarantee," — a commitment from UNC to make global education available to every student. In her position, Udyavar will support this University promise by overseeing the Collaborative Online International Learning program.
COIL is a virtual exchange between faculty and students across the world that can be implemented throughout different curriculum. Udyavar said that COIL is something that UNC can give to all students, especially those unable to study abroad.
And Udyavar is familiar in the international learning space. She said she used the virtual exchange model when she connected her sociology course at FSU to an English class in China via Zoom. The Chinese students talked to American students about social issues in English, while the American students learned about society in China.
“It often leads to really surprising friendships,” Udyavar said.
