ENMU assistant professor awarded grant

Eastern New Mexico University Assistant Professor of Career Technical Education Jihyun Woo has been awarded a Fulbright-Hays “Group Project Abroad” grant for the 2023-24 school year.

According to an ENMU news release, the U.S. Department of Education awarded Woo a grant totaling $133,046.

The project titled “open online course design for enhancing cultural awareness and diversity,” will allow 12 ENMU “Fulbrighters” to travel to Korea in June 2024 to participate first-hand with diversity course materials.

“Respecting others’ cultures and understanding differences are critical aspects of our diverse society. These aspects are directly connected to a reasonable manner of employability skills for future leaders,” Woo said.

“The Fulbright-Hays project will bring opportunities for ENMU students, New Mexico teachers, and students to open their eyes to the globe, find the similarities and differences between the US and Korean cultures, and provide direct and indirect educational experiences.”

Goals for the project include:

• To provide educational and research experiences to ENMU students and New Mexico K-12 teachers to integrate these culturally diverse experiences into their classroom teaching and life.

• To inspire the community and public to open their eyes to the other sides of the world and promote critical thinking skills by paying attention to global issues.

• To gain professional and personal growth, such as cultural awareness and a greater appreciation of the importance of accepting diversity in their classrooms and life in general.