Champlain Faculty and Staff Invited to Participate in 'Intercultural U' Program

Champlain College faculty and staff are invited to participate in the Spring 2013 Intercultural University, a certificate program created by Director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion Ame Lambert. Intercultural U focuses on the personal cultural and societal aspects of diversity and inclusion. "Diversity is diverse," stated Lambert, "One may blatantly accept, 'That's just that individual's personality,' but never assess why one may think or act the way they do. An individual's thoughts and actions are all bi-products of aspects of their diversity."

Lambert says Intercultural U offers a societal experience where one gets to learn about why individuals behave the way they do, whether it be a result of their sex, ethnic culture, geographical region, education, language, religion, or level of physical and mental ability. "Diversity is very present in a college environment - in the classroom, workplace, residence halls, and enrolled student body. It is important to get a better understanding of how to treat, teach, and communicate with diverse individuals," she explained.

"Intercultural U is a 26-hour program over a ten week period to achieve a resume building certificate to bring skills and knowledge of diversity and culture to your workplace and everyday life," she said.

Champlain College participants who earned a certificate in the fall of 2012 include:

  • Melissa Hersh - Director of Center for Professional & Executive Development
  • Jo Ann Patel - Assistant Professor Game Art & Animation
  • Michael Fife - Coordinator of LEAD Financial Sophistication
  • Abigail Mendenhall - LEAD Coordinator
  • David Strubler - Dean of the Robert P. Stiller School of Business
  • Jason Borges - Assistant Director of Residential Life
  • Moneer Greenbaum - Leadership Giving Director in the Office of Advancement
  • Roland Palmer - Director of Advancement Services
  • Toni-Lee Sangastiano - Coordinator of Art, Associate Art Professor 
  • Mika Nash - Academic Dean, Associate Professor, Champlain College Online
  • Marcelle Langan - Senior Writer, Marketing
  • Shelley Richardson - VP Office of Advancement
  • Lynne Ballard - Associate Provost Academic Affairs Office
  • Jennifer Sweeney - Director of LEAD
  • Signe Daly - Instructor of Core
  • Kari Berg - Counselor 
  • Diana Agusta - Executive Assistant to the President
  • Michelle Miller - Senior Associate Provost
  • Jacob Frankovich - Former Assistant Director of Residential Life
  • Irene Webster - Office Assistant, Champlain College Online
  • Mark Zammuto - Career Advisor for ITS Division
  • Ellen Zeman - Sr. Institutional Research Analyst
  • Jessica Clarke - Senior Copywriter, Marketing
  • Susannah Eriksson - Academic Operations Manager, ITS

Graduates of the program praised the interaction and learning opportunities. Besides the knowledge they gained, many said it was great for social engagement and getting to know other Champlain faculty and staff. "Intercultural U continues to be a safe place to have honest, deep discussions where participants get to know each other on a personal level. Participants bring everything they have to the table because they could expect equal interest and intellectual participation from their peers," said Lambert.

The next Intercultural U begins in early February. To register or get more information, contact Lambert at diversity@champlain.edu or (802) 860-2784. To register online, visit https://www.champlain.edu/Office-of-Diversity-and-Inclusion/Intercultural-U/How-to-Participate-x15160.html


Founded in 1878, Champlain College is a small, not-for-profit, private college in Burlington, Vermont, with additional campuses in Montreal, Canada, and Dublin, Ireland. Champlain offers a traditional undergraduate experience from its beautiful campus overlooking Lake Champlain and over 90 residential undergraduate and online undergraduate and graduate degree programs and certificates. Champlain's distinctive career-driven approach to higher education embodies the notion that true learning occurs when information and experience come together to create knowledge. Champlain College is included in the Princeton Review's The Best 384 Colleges: 2019 Edition. For the fourth year in a row, Champlain was named a "Most Innovative School" in the North by U.S. News & World Report's 2019 "America's Best Colleges,” and a “Best Value School” and is ranked in the top 100 “Regional Universities of the North” and in the top 25 for “Best Undergraduate Teaching.” Champlain is also featured in the Fiske Guide to Colleges for 2019 as one of the "best and most interesting schools" in the United States, Canada and Great Britain and is a 2019 College of Distinction. For more information, visit champlain.edu.