Highlights of the 77th Annual CIEE Study Abroad Conference - Day 1

Today in Rome, international educators and thought leaders gathered for the first day of the 77th Annual CIEE Study Abroad Conference. This year's conference theme is Leading Change in a Changing Climate.

Climate change is a global problem that requires international collaboration on solutions. Over the next three days conference attendees will share ideas for how study abroad can best prepare the next generation of environmental advocates and changemakers through programs that inspire and empower students to address the impact of climate change within their local and global communities.  

This morning, conference attendees had the option to enjoy an exclusive Open House tour at CIEE Rome’s Center in Palazzo Capizucchi, a stunning 16th-century Renaissance palace nestled in the heart of Rome. With its elegant stone façade and ornate details, the palace beautifully reflects the grandeur of its noble past while offering a vibrant academic community to hundreds of CIEE students each semester. 

In the afternoon, CIEE hosted a preconference workshop entitled Strategies for Leading Change: Elevating International Education to Achieve Institutional Goals. CIEE, along with academic leadership from institutions receiving matching grants as part of our Leading Change in Study Abroad Pledge, shared actionable insights to equip senior academic leaders with concrete strategies to develop, enhance, and sustain international programs that can significantly impact key institutional metrics such as enrollment, retention, graduation rates, employability, and economic mobility.

Then, the opening plenary brought together five distinguished experts to examine the scientific, cultural, and policy dimensions of climate change, emphasizing the importance of educational initiatives in fostering effective and equitable climate action. The panel was moderated by Alan Masters, CIEE Academic Affairs Director - Curriculum, and the panelists were:

• Joanna Carey, Associate Professor of Earth Science, Babson College
• Matthew Alford, Professor, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego
• Max Boykoff, Professor, University of Colorado – Boulder
• Rishi Sugla, Climate Resilience Scientist with Climate Impacts Group, University of Washington
• Steph Tai, Associate Dean, University of Wisconsin Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies

Following the plenary, the evening concluded with the Meet CIEE reception where attendees met our CIEE Center Directors from around the world and talked with them a local sustainability initiatives, cultural experiences, and academic programs.