by Elaney Tedder
On Thursday, July 16th, the University of Pennsylvania English Language Programs (ELP) was recognized by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Office of English Language Programs at a virtual awards ceremony for their creation and implementation of online courses through the Online Professional English Network (OPEN) Program, formerly known as the American English E-Teacher Program. Elizabeth Gillstrom, the ELP Manager of Testing and Programs, accepted this award on behalf of the
Among those in attendance at this ceremony was Assistant Secretary of State for Education & Cultural Affairs Marie Royce, who congratulated all of the U.S. universities receiving recognition for their work with the Online Professional English Program.
Gillstrom holds the certificate of recognition from the U.S. Department of State
According to a letter written to Gillstrom by the Branch Chief of the Office of English Language Programs, Diane Millar, the recognition was presented to the ELP “for your partnership with us through the American English E-Teacher Program on course development and implementation of the course English for Journalism.” This course was developed and taught by ELP Language Specialists Michael Sullivan and Eve Litt, with support from Gillstrom, ELP Associate Director of Curriculum and Instruction Sarah Grosik, and ELP Instructional Technology Specialist Ula Cutten. This course recorded 144 active participants during its 2019 iteration. To learn more about the creation and implementation of the English for Journalism course, please click here. Additionally, there is a similar version of the course available on Coursera, which can be accessed here.
In the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Arts & Sciences (SAS) 2020 Strategic Plan, Dean Steven J. Fluharty discusses one of the definitional strengths of the school: a mission to “teach the world.” The English Language Programs continues to contribute to this strength each day, and the recognition provided by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Office of English Language Programs further shows our dedication to this mission.
