The Provost’s Office, in collaboration with the Office of Global Programs, recently honored Associate Professor of History Dr. Kristina Boylan and Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) and Multicultural Affairs Director Melissa Prest, for significantly contributing to the advancement of the Global Learning for All initiative at SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly), and more specifically, for introducing Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) components into the curriculum, since Fall 2021.

COIL connects students and professors in different countries for collaborative projects and discussions as part of their coursework, providing meaningful, significant opportunities for global experiences built into programs of study.

Four of Dr. Boylan's classes have included COIL components in collaboration with Universidad de Monterey and TEC de Monterey in Mexico, the latter of which is an ongoing partnership. 

First year students in the EOP program under Prest have had the opportunity to participate in a short COIL experience in collaboration with UNIMINUTO in Colombia. 

“As the Director of Global Programs/Study Abroad, I’ve seen firsthand the invaluable benefits COIL provides our students,” said Interim Provost Dr. Zora Thomova. “Kristina and Melissa have played an integral role in its implementation at SUNY Poly and are more than deserving of this recognition.”

Currently, Dr. Rebecca Weldon and Denese Savoy serve as the SUNY Poly COIL coordinator and study abroad advisor, respectively. Dr. Boylan and Prest were honored as part of a student panel discussion about international learning that was held on March 31.

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About SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly)

SUNY Poly is New York’s globally recognized, high-tech educational ecosystem. SUNY Poly offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in the emerging disciplines of nanoscience and nanoengineering, as well as cutting-edge nanobioscience programs at its Albany campus, and undergraduate and graduate degrees in technology, including engineering, cybersecurity, computer science, and the engineering technologies; professional studies, including business, communication, and nursing; and arts and sciences, including natural sciences, game design, mathematics, humanities, and social sciences at its Utica campus; thriving athletic, recreational, and cultural programs, events, and activities complement the campus experience. As the world’s most advanced, university-driven research enterprise, SUNY Poly boasts billions of dollars in high-tech investments and hundreds of corporate partners since its inception. For information visit www.sunypoly.edu.