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The United States is undergoing a significant demographic shift. By 2050, the Hispanic population will more than double, and the African American and Asian American populations are also expected to grow by a significant margin. In the workplace, due in part to globalization, customers and employees will represent an even more diverse mix.
“Most organizations are already experiencing this as they hire employees and serve customers from multiple cultures, religions, and ethnic backgrounds." - Ravi Hutheesing, global keynote speaker and author
In a recent publication of the National Association of Colleges and Employers, “global/multi-cultural fluency” was listed in the top 10 “career readiness competencies” (2020). Similarly, the Association of American Colleges and Universities ranks the "ability to work well in teams—especially with people different from yourself” as the number one key attribute employers look for in college graduates.
From the study of religion to computational linguistics to visual media, SLCL is a center for intercultural competence.
Our undergraduate and graduate students gain the skills in communication, critical analysis, and global expertise that serve them in a huge variety of careers, in the public and private sectors, from providing humanitarian aid, to teaching, to practicing international law. Our school's collaborative environment promotes world-class research, innovative teaching, opportunities for outreach and community service, and enhanced learning experiences.
SLCL provides instruction in dozens of languages to students from across campus and the world and runs residential study-abroad programs in Athens, France, Japan, Spain, and more.
School faculty, staff, and students are active in various community projects, such as the Education Justice Project and the East Central Illinois Refugee Mutual Assistance Center.
Our diverse and talented faculty author major books and articles, lead externally funded projects, and receive national and international awards and fellowships for their scholarship, teaching, and service.
Since the school's founding, our faculty have been awarded more than $4.5 million in grant funding for research from federal, state and private sources. Faculty and graduate students also host several large international conferences as well as colloquia and workshops every year, bringing lively exchanges and diverse thought to the campus community and beyond.