Institute on Community IntegrationCollege of Education and Human Development

FYI, the Institute on Community Integration Staff Newsletter

October 2009

“Accessing the World” is Theme of ICI Kickoff on November 17

“Accessing the World” is the theme of the 2009 Institute on Community Integration (ICI) Community Kickoff on Tuesday, November 17. This year’s Kickoff will be held in the Johnson Great Room at the University’s McNamara Alumni Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will focus on disability work in other countries.

Among the Kickoff’s activities will be the following:

  • Christopher Johnstone, director of ICI’s Global Resource Center and Director of International Initiatives for the College, speaking on trends in disability services in sub-Saharan Africa.

  • A presentation on the Twin Cities-Zambia Disability Connection project at ICI.

  • A poster session by ICI centers and projects showcasing their work.

  • Fun activities with prizes.

  • Introduction of new staff.

  • Award presentations.

  • Remarks by interim College Dean Jean Quam.

  • The opportunity to have a new professional headshot taken by photographer Leo Kim.

This year, the Institute’s Mark Olson will be master of ceremonies at this annual event that connects ICI staff and friends, celebrates accomplishments, and shares information about the work of the Institute’s projects and staff. The Kickoff Committee – comprised of Connie Burkhart, Kristi Liu, Laurene Christensen, Melissa Critchley-Rodriguez, Kara Johnson, Carrie Coslin, and Mark Olson – has been organizing this event for the past five weeks. “We are proud of the tradition of Kickoff and we’ve worked hard to make sure this year’s event continues to provide the opportunity to meet new staff, to reconnect with current staff, and to learn a little about what we all are doing,” says committee chair Connie. “I really appreciate all the hard work of the Kickoff Committee every year in organizing this event. It’s an important opportunity for us all to come together, and I hope everyone at ICI will attend,” says ICI Director David Johnson.

E-mail invitations for the Kickoff will be sent out soon. For the third year, Megan Dushin and Joelle Tegwen are providing online registration that tracks responses by program area. The ICI program area with the most attendees will win a pizza party.

Projects and centers that are interested in profiling their international activities in the poster session should contact Carrie Coslin at cosl0001@umn.edu or (612) 624-2097. For other information or questions about the Kickoff, please contact Connie at burkh021@umn.edu or (612) 626-8675.