Sasha Cokuslu selected as 2021 Virtual Exchange Academy participant

(January 25, 2021) - Clayton State University’s study abroad manager, Sasha Cokuslu, has been selected to participate in the 2021 Virtual Exchange Academy hosted by the Stevens Initiative. She joins 55 other individuals from across the globe in the is unique training opportunity to  learn how to develop and execute virtual exchange programs to prepare young people for the workforce and to be active global citizens.

“It is an immense honor and an incredible opportunity to be a participant in the program during their first inaugural year, which prepares education and exchange leaders, and practitioners to participate in the innovative and powerful field of virtual exchange for education abroad programming,” Cokuslu says. “Our hope in International Programs is to utilize and learn from this experience so that we may aid Clayton State University’s faculty and students to develop and participate in these new global exchange opportunities that have begun to shift the education abroad landscape.”

Sponsored by the Stevens Initiative, the 2021 Virtual Exchange Academy will take place over four weeks, from March 8 to April 2. Participants will learn foundational elements of virtual exchange planning and implementation.

“Virtual exchanges encompass a range of sustained opportunities across borders and cultures and this program will provide the foundational elements of virtual exchange planning and implementation with a comprehensive introduction from experts, allowing trainees to be in a better position to adopt this powerful global learning tool at their institutions,” says Cokuslu.

The Stevens Initiative is an international effort to expand the virtual exchange field to build global competence and career readiness skills for young people in the U.S., Middle East and North Africa.

The Stevens Initiative is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, with funding provided by the U.S. Government, and is administered by the Aspen Institute.