VISION
The vision of the Corban University Center for Global Engagement (CGE) is to provide a place for scholars to work together to discuss and address global issues affecting Christian education, the church, and other Christian organizations working to further the gospel in international contexts. The CGE also serves as an incubator for new initiatives aimed at creatively responding to global challenges.
Corban faculty and global scholars involved in the CGE conduct research, teach internationally, lead gospel-focused projects and facilitate student learning opportunities.
The Center also serves as a hub for equipping Christians with cultural awareness and leadership skills to make a difference in the world for Jesus Christ.
THE TEAM
Janine Allen, Ed.D. (George Fox University)
Associate Provost of Global Engagement
JAllen@Corban.edu
Dr. Allen serves as Associate Provost of Global Engagement at Corban University. From the beginning, she has overseen the development of Corban’s global initiatives in Southeast Asia and now leads Corban’s Center for Global Engagement. She believes interacting cross-culturally requires self-awareness, a commitment to confront blind spots and truly seeking to understand others to work towards a shared purpose. Cross-border partnerships, which rely on relationship, are a great fit for Janine’s passion for learning about others and their cultural ways of being. Janine coordinates dual degree and certificate professional development programs worldwide and builds Corban’s partnerships in Australia, China, Indonesia, Israel, New Zealand, Peru and other countries. The focus of partnership development is building the domestic infrastructure in the given region and contextualizing best practices to further educational access and equitable learning opportunities
Kristin Dixon, Ed.D., (George Fox University)
Dean of Education and Counseling
KDixon@Corban.edu
Dr. Dixon serves as Dean of Education and Counseling at Corban University. She initially taught secondary business and computer courses including teaching at an international school in Kenya. She began her career in higher education as an adjunct at Chemeketa Community College. She also spent 11 years teaching MAT candidates at George Fox University. Kristin joined Corban in 2013.
Sang-Eun Dyer, Ph.D. (Ball State University)
Associate Professor of Education
SDyer@Corban.edu
Dyer joined the Corban Education Department in the fall of 2006. Currently, she is a member of the IRA (International Reading Association), ORA (Oregon Reading Association), and the NAME (National Association for Multicultural Education). Sang-Eun was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea. After nine years of teaching in elementary schools, she decided to come to the U.S for graduate school in 1999. She married Jim in 2004, and they adopted two children from South Korea, Iris and Isaac. Sang-Eun likes to travel, read books, watch Korean dramas with her husband (with English subtitles) and eat Thai food. Dr. Dyer reflects that “my teaching experience at Corban leads me believe that Corban is an academically rigorous school and that it has a dynamic Christian environment surrounded by friendly people.”
Samuel Pearson, M.A. (Durham University)
Associate Director of the Center for Global Engagement
SPearson@Corban.edu
Pearson serves as Associate Director of the Center for Global Engagement. As a Corban University graduate, he is grateful to return to the gospel-driven, globally minded community at Corban. Sam oversees Corban’s domestic and international off-campus study locations, prepares students for the cultural and logistical challenges of study and service abroad, assists in Corban’s dual-degree partnerships in Indonesia and Israel, and hosts international visitors.
Kara Sappington, M.A. (Wheaton College)
Associate Director of Curriculum and Student Support
Corban Language Institute
KSappington@Corban.edu
Kara Sappington, M.A. (Wheaton College brings teaching experience combined with a B.S. in Human Development and Family Sciences and a M.A. in Intercultural Studies and TESOL. Kara has worked in a variety of administrative and teaching positions helping families and students, including a non-profit community center offering companion English classes for both children and adults. She has experience teaching in university and community college settings, in the United States and abroad. Her interests include incorporating technology into language learning, providing support to current language teachers and deepening understanding of cultural issues.
GLOBAL SCHOLARS
The CGE’s Global Scholars Program connects Christian professionals to meaningful opportunities that will allow them to share their knowledge and experience in an international setting. Opportunities range from one week to one semester in length and consist of dual-degree undergraduate course instruction, professional development seminars, graduate courses and short-term faculty assignments. Global Scholar appointments will be based on the individual’s professional background, training and experience.
Jay Mathisen, Ed.D. (George Fox University)
Global Scholar
Jay Mathisen, Ed.D. serves as Deputy Superintendent of the Bend-La Pine schools. Leading school leaders and launching innovative efforts in school design are key areas in which he serves. As Global Scholar in the Center for Global Engagement, Mathisen supports Corban University’s dual degree partnerships and leads professional development seminars for in-country teacher educators and administrators. Mathisen has experience leading teams each year to East Africa to support and mentor teachers and administrators in Rwandan schools.
KEY OBJECTIVES
- Implement innovative programs that meet the current and future needs of leading Christian organizations worldwide.
- Develop and maintain university global partnerships for collaboration and service, and to enhance student learning from a Christian perspective.
- Provide Corban faculty and students leadership development opportunities abroad.
- Strategically develop international sites that will function as the gateways for global education purposefully linked to different majors and programs.
- Conduct research to inform Corban’s strategic direction and communicate the impact of the university’s global commitment.
KEY STRATEGIES
Working collaboratively with the academic and administrative entities of the university, and through outreach initiatives to external constituencies, the Center for Global Engagement promotes internationalization through:
- Global scholar and professional development programs
- Scholarship and presentations
- International initiatives and partnerships
