Partnerships
UNC-CH and Duke University Area Studies Teacher Advisory Council
The UNC-CH and Duke University Area Studies Teacher Advisory Council is a board of up to 14 educators that helps evaluate and support the direction of the Consortium’s K-12 outreach. Representing a diversity of grade levels and disciplines, advisory council members provide valuable feedback on programs and resources, guide the planning of future opportunities for teachers, and advocate on behalf of UNC and Duke University area studies programs during their two-year term.
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) is charged with implementing the state’s public school laws for pre-kindergarten through 12th grade public schools at the direction of the State Board of Education and the Superintendent of Public Instruction. NC DPI partners with the Consortium to design and offer professional development opportunities for elementary and secondary teachers across the state of North Carolina including seminars for International Education Week and expert panels on foreign language teaching and learning.
World View
World View, a public service program at UNC, equips K-12 and community college educators with global knowledge, best practices, and resources to prepare students to live in an interconnected and diverse world. World View organizes professional development opportunities including seminars and symposiums, workshops, online courses, on-site sessions, and study visits abroad. During these programs, participants immerse themselves with global knowledge and skills in order to integrate global education in all areas of the curriculum.
Learn more about upcoming programs >>
Southeast Regional Middle East and Islamic Studies Society
The Southeast Regional Middle East and Islamic Studies Society – or SERMEISS – is a professional society for specialist or non-specialist educators and other individuals whose professional activities actively engage the Middle East and Islam. The organization was founded in 1977 to provide scholars in the southeastern United States with an opportunity to meet regularly with colleagues to share research findings and teaching concerns. SERMEISS meets twice annually, in the fall and in the spring. Consortium faculty and staff run sessions at past meetings and provide leadership on its board.
Middle East Outreach Council
MEOC is a national network of educators dedicated to disseminating apolitical and nonpartisan information, resources and activities furthering understanding about the Middle East, including the Arab world, Israel, Iran, Turkey, and Afghanistan. MEOC organizes annual trainings and manages the Middle East Book Award. The Consortium is an institutional member.
National Humanities Center
Nationally, the Consortium continues to partner with the National Humanities Center, based in the Research Triangle near UNC and Duke to develop online teacher training opportunities for teachers across the U.S, including Middle East-related webinars for the center’s successful “Humanities in Class” series and a new online course on the Middle East.