In September, Gary Rhodes, representing SOCCIS (the Southern California Consortium on International Studies) and I met with the Secretary of Education at the Governor’s office.  We discussed and advocated for more state support for international education.  In particular we stressed the need for increased articulation between institutions of higher education and the K-12 community to ensure a more efficient outcome to our efforts in promoting international and global education.  A draft of our proposals is available on this newsletter.

Additionally, on November 15^th, NCAGE partnered with CCIE (California Colleges for International Education, www.ccieworld.org) to hold a forum in San Jose followed by an NCAGE Steering Committee meeting.  The forum, as part of the Community College League of California, opened with an inspiring presentation by Provost Sigler of San Jose State University, followed by several great panel presentations and discussions.  It served as a reaffirmation of the strong and diverse infrastructure of global education advocates we have throughout the state.

We are in the process of planning the Spring 2008 NCAGE Forum, to be held at SJSU, and will notify you shortly of the exact dates; President-elect Chuck Powers will be presiding. We do hope that you will be able to join us.

David Schmidt

President, NCAGE