Babson Selected for Prestigious New AAC&U Exchange Program

Listen

Babson College has been chosen to participate in the new American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) Institute on Virtual Exchange/Collaborative Online International Learning (VE-COIL).

Babson is among 19 higher education institutions selected for the prestigious program, which is sponsored by Norway to strengthen higher ed ties with the United States and Japan.

A team of four Babson educators—Kristen Getchell, associate professor of business communication; Eric Palson, director of academic technologies; Amir Reza, dean of Babson Academy and global education; and Lorien Romito, senior director of international education—will travel to Norway in late June for a two-day intensive training provided by AAC&U trainers.

Since March, the Babson team has been engaged through virtual webinars and meetings with AAC&U and the team from Norway’s Nord University. They’re developing plans for a graduate-level course to be offered for Babson and Nord students—who will collaborate and work on projects together—beginning in the Spring 2024 semester.

The VE-COIL program is designed to provide professional development opportunities for educators. The program, which offers affordable opportunities to increase global competencies, also increases opportunities for interdisciplinary innovation and global collaboration between faculty and staff on digital teaching, research, and service learning.

Posted in Babson Briefs

More from Babson Briefs »

Latest Stories

Students and friends celebrate and hug after winning the competition
‘Moos’ and Ahhs: Babson AI Showcase Draws Rave Reviews A high-tech solution from two MSEL students to improve monitoring herds of cows wins the top prize at the first Babson College AI Showcase, hosted by the C. Dean Metropoulos Institute of Technology and Entrepreneurship.
By
Eric Beato
Editor / Writer
Eric Beato
Eric Beato is the Editor of Babson Thought & Action and Babson Magazine. A native of Chicago and a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism, Eric has worked as an editor and writer at newspapers across the country, including the Chicago Sun-Times and Boston Herald. Eric joined Babson College in 2019 after working as the communications director for a private educational travel company and as the managing editor of six regional sports publications.
May 9, 2025

Posted in Community, Entrepreneurial Leadership

A woman stood next to a Babson student during her visit to class.
Don’t Wait to Be Ready: UX Pioneer Karen Clark Cole on Graduation and Embracing Uncertainty Tech visionary Karen Clark Cole prepares to deliver the Commencement address at Babson’s graduate ceremony, sharing advice on impact, uncertainty, and starting without fear.
By
Hillary Chabot
Writer
Hillary Chabot
Hillary Chabot is a writer for Babson Thought & Action and Babson Magazine. An award-winning journalist, she is known for her insightful reporting and dedication to detailed storytelling. With a career spanning over two decades, she has covered a wide range of topics, from presidential campaigns and government policy to neighborhood issues and investigative series. As a reporter for The Boston Herald, Hillary earned a reputation for tenacity and integrity. Her work at Babson College fuels her passions—to learn something new every day and conduct thoughtful, empathic interviews. She’s thrilled to be at Babson College, where students, faculty, staff members and classes provide compelling copy daily.
May 8, 2025

Posted in Community

Heidy Magaña talking to someone at an event in Knight Auditorium
Class of 2025: How This First-Gen Student Created a Community First-generation student Heidy Magaña ’25 has spent her time at Babson building a community and growing the support available to other first-generation students.
By
Melissa Savignano
Writer
Melissa Savignano
Melissa Savignano, a content marketing manager at Babson College, has worked in higher education for almost a decade, where she tells authentic, compelling campus and community stories. Before Babson, she managed communications for Boston University’s largest college, the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences. She previously worked in client relations, helping brands of various sizes launch content marketing strategies and storytelling initiatives. When not at work, you will find her in the city of Boston, probably at the movie theater.
May 7, 2025

Posted in Community