Mounting a Global Charge: New Center at Mount Saint Mary's to Create Life-Changing, International Opportunities for Students

LOS ANGELES, June 30, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- In one of the nation's most culturally diverse cities, Los Angeles' only women's university is placing an even stronger emphasis on bringing the world to its students — and sending its students out into the world. 

This summer, Mount Saint Mary's University in Los Angeles opens its new Center for Global Initiatives with a bold goal: By 2025, the University expects that at least 50 percent of its baccalaureate students will graduate with significant, life-changing global experiences.

Mount Saint Mary's already boasts one of the most diverse universities in the nation. The Center for Global Initiatives will build on this rich on-campus culture. The Center will act as a research hub for student-driven projects and as a catalyst for study away and international student recruitment, faculty and student exchanges, a robust visiting scholar program, and global engagement across all disciplines at the University.

Leading this effort is the Center's newly hired director, Eric Apfelstadt, PhD, who brings a wealth of experience and expertise in student and global programming. Most recently, Apfelstadt served as dean of Saint Martin University's College of Arts and Sciences in Lacey, Wash.

Apfelstadt obtained his bachelor's degree from Indiana State University. He earned his MFA and his PhD from Princeton University, specializing in Renaissance art history. Fluent in both German and Italian, Apfelstadt has deepened his international perspective through 20-plus years of studying and working abroad in a number of different capacities.

"International education and the opportunities it represents for both self-realization and increased comprehension among peoples of the most diverse sorts have been central to my life and career since college," Apfelstadt said. "I am thrilled at the prospect of being able to facilitate others' pursuit of similarly life-changing experiences at Mount Saint Mary's University."

About Mount Saint Mary's University
Mount Saint Mary's is the only women's university in Los Angeles and one of the most diverse in the nation. The University is known nationally for its research on gender equality, its innovative health and science programs, and its commitment to community service. As a leading liberal arts institution, Mount Saint Mary's provides year-round, flexible and online programs at the undergraduate and graduate level. Weekend, evening and graduate programs are offered to both women and men. Mount alums are engaged, active global citizens using their knowledge and skills to better themselves, their communities and the world. www.msmu.edu  

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SOURCE Mount Saint Mary’s University

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