Participating in the GCA Seminar in Salzburg has been a transformative experience in my academic and professional journey. Over the span of six seminars, from 2006 to 2019, my role as Lead Faculty Advisor has not only shaped my career but has also profoundly influenced my personal growth and teaching methodologies. Reflecting on these experiences, I realize that the seminar holds an important place in my 32-year tenure at Miami Dade College (MDC), tied as the most meaningful experience alongside a few other significant milestones. To label the impact as “professional life-changing” would be an understatement.
From a young age, I was always a history buff, but my interactions with Visiting Faculty from diverse backgrounds ignited a deeper passion for global historical contexts. This newfound enthusiasm led me to delve deeper into historical studies, enriching my understanding and teaching. Incorporating these global perspectives into my Environmental Science courses, particularly the Environmental Ethics unit, became a new focus. My students responded positively, challenging their preconceived notions and broadening their worldviews. One of the most significant pedagogical shifts I adopted from the seminar was the integration of mapology concepts and innovative group project structures into my curriculum. The seminar’s project assessment tools became a staple in my Honors Environmental Science course, enhancing the effectiveness of group projects. I learned valuable lessons about when to intervene in student conflicts and how to facilitate consensus-based decision-making, which became crucial elements of my teaching strategy.
The seminar also emphasized the importance of teaching students to ask focused and relevant questions. This approach was incorporated into all the First Year Honors Leadership Seminars at our campus, introducing “yellow, green, and red questions” into our educational lexicon. These strategies not only improved classroom engagement but also fostered a culture of critical thinking and inquiry among students. Discussions on populism, nationalism, and patriotism during the seminars provided me with a deeper understanding of these concepts and their manifestations in contemporary society. As Lead Faculty Advisor, I was responsible for preparing both students and faculty for the seminar, collaborating with on-site staff to adjust activities, and compiling final reports for the college. Over time, I mastered the art of connecting seminar principles to MDC’s Learning Outcomes and Honor College Program Outcomes, seamlessly integrating them into my coursework.
Preparing students for the seminar experience was a crucial aspect of my role. We aimed to equip our students with a critical analysis of interdependent global systems and their implications for humanity and sustainability. Recognizing the diverse backgrounds of our students, many of whom were either foreign-born or first-generation US citizens, we focused on fostering global understanding and effective group collaboration. We utilized various group and team-building exercises to lay the foundation for their work in Salzburg, emphasizing the importance of managing conflict productively and developing evocative, material-related questions.
The GCA seminar not only impacted my professional life but also brought significant changes to my personal outlook. After my first seminar, I began identifying myself as a “Citizen of Earth,” shedding the limiting label of nationality. This shift in perspective broadened my understanding of global interconnectedness and inspired a deeper appreciation for world music, which I integrated into my interdisciplinary Environmental Science classes. Even after retiring in 2019 and relocating to Richmond, VA in 2021, the idea of global citizenship continues to resonate with me. Although I carefully balance my consumption of news to maintain hope and sanity, I find solace and inspiration in nature photography. This hobby reinforces my belief in the interconnectedness of all life and the necessity of global cooperation for our mutual survival. I remain hopeful that humanity will eventually embrace this paradigm shift, although it may require a global crisis to catalyze such change.
My most cherished memories of the GCA seminar are the enduring personal and professional connections I made with Seminar faculty and staff, such as Astrid, Jochen, David, and Reinhold. Their openness and willingness to help me translate seminar learnings into my courses at MDC were invaluable. I fondly recall long nights discussing current events, emotionally charged debriefs at Dachau, and the camaraderie of gathering in the Bierstube with students and faculty. On a personal note, visiting the cemetery at the Salzburg Cathedral was particularly poignant. My father, a US Army veteran who helped liberate Salzburg in 1945, had walked those grounds, creating a profound connection to my own history.
As a Faculty Advisor, I have witnessed the profound impact of the GCA seminar on my students. Many former participants remain in contact through social media, frequently citing the seminar as the most meaningful experience of their time in the Honors College. They particularly valued the group learning experiences, the rigorous workload, and the intellectually stimulating interactions with Visiting Faculty. The egalitarian treatment by Seminar faculty left a lasting impression, fostering a sense of respect and mutual learning. To colleagues, I describe the GCA seminars as transformative experiences that leave participants changed, equipped with new knowledge, and inspired to innovate in their teaching. The seminars provided fresh insights into world affairs, practical lessons in innovative teaching methods, and reinvigorated my enthusiasm for learning.
Introducing students to the concept of global citizenship is more crucial now than ever before. In an era marked by increasing military conflicts and global climate change, understanding our interconnectedness is essential. The GCA seminar reinforced the importance of recognizing that our actions affect others globally and that cooperation is vital for addressing the challenges we face. Without this understanding, society risks further fragmentation into tribalism, where there are no winners, only losers.
In conclusion, the GCA seminar in Salzburg has had an indelible impact on my academic, professional, and personal life. It has enriched my teaching, broadened my global perspective, and fostered enduring connections. Most importantly, it has reinforced the critical importance of global citizenship, a concept that I continue to advocate for in hopes of a more cooperative and sustainable future.
Chris participated in the Global Citizenship program six times between 2006-2019. He retired from teaching at MDC in 2019 and was conferred the title of Professor Emeritus of Ecology & Environmental Science.