By Joan C. McKinney, news and publications coordinator
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. –Campbellsville University hosted 16 Brazilian higher education administrators from various private universities for a workshop July 20-28 dealing with how Campbellsville University and other public and private universities operate.
Most of the Brazilians were working toward their master of business administration degree – after having other advanced masters and doctorate degrees.
“My dream has come true,” Norma Astréa Nunes Grunewarld said. “It is very emotional to be here and learn.”
“Campbellsville University is our American home,” Wille Muriel Cardoso, president, Carta Consulta, said.
“We feel closer to Campbellsville University because we have about the same problems in Brazil,” he said. “Once we get back to Brazil, we will spread the word about Campbellsville University.
“We want to strengthen the relationship between us.”
Ana Angélica Gonçalves Leão Coelho, president, UNIVALE, said they liked how Campbellsville University treats its faculty expressing the feeling they are important. She also said Campbellsville was “student-centered” and “cared for its students.”
“We were amazed at the hospitality we received,” she said. “We will go back to Brazil renewed, and we will apply what we’ve seen and learned to our universities.”
Maria Zélia de Melo said the educators would always “carry Campbellsville University in our hearts.”
The schools the educators, which included presidents, vice presidents and directors and other administrators, represented enrollments ranging from 650 to 5,300.
Attending were the following, with their institution listed also: Ana Angélica Gonçalves Leão Coelho, president, UNIVALE; Ana Beatriz de Oliveira Pretto, vice president for academics, Católica do Tocantins; Ana Maria Paraíso Dalvi, president, Unilinhares;
Chade Rezek Neto, president, Centro Unificado de Educação Barretos; Gesilda de Sales Bicalho Silva, president, Faculdades de Medicina e Fisioterapia do Vale do Aço; Ilton Pereira, president, Associacao Filantropica Amigos do Brasil; José Wilson dos Santos, president Faculdade AGES;
Pe. Joao Batista, president, Centro Universitario Sao Camilo; Norma Astréa Nunes Grunewarld, vice president for academics, Unilinhares; Olivio Carlos Nascimento Souto, vice president, Centro Unificado de Educação Barretos;
Tiago Augusto Ribeiro Cardoso, president, CONSAE; Vanilson Almeida Nascimento, president, Associação de Ensino do Vale do Gurutuba; Maria Zélia de Melo, director for development, FDC;
Sandro da Silva Campos, Faculdade Santa Rita de Novo Horizonte; Daniela Gonçalves dos Santos Campos, Faculdade Santa Rita de Novo Horizonte; and Wille Muriel Cardoso, president, Carta Consulta.
Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of Campbellsville University, told the administrators he welcomed the opportunity for the senior staff to exchange ideas with them.
“We learned so much from you,” he said.
Asked about his leadership style, Carter said he has an internal drive, and there are challenges “at every level.” He said his team must be able to determine what is most important at any given time.
Carter said his personal beliefs and approach to higher education was a “good fit to Campbellsville University.” He said an administrator must know the mission of the school and “must be able to embrace it. It becomes a part of who we are.”
“A president can only be as effective as the governing board of the institution,” Carter said. “We have been very fortunate to have a strong governing board.”
He said Campbellsville University will continue to recruit talented faculty, and “As the world changes and cultural barriers drop, we want to be a welcoming campus because we have much to learn.”
He said Campbellsville University “looks forward to great things happening in the future” with the Brazilian administrators.
Dr. Frank Cheatham, vice president for academic affairs at Campbellsville University, said there are 17.5 million students in the United States in post-secondary education.
He explained the history of Campbellsville University and academic programs which are offered by Campbellsville University. Cheatham also discussed assessment with the educators, accreditation in the United States, qualifications for faculty and staff, academic support and retention.
John Chowning, vice president for church and external relations at Campbellsville University, explained the organizational structure of the university, institutional planning, committees, external relations, the institution’s affiliation with the Kentucky Baptist Convention, and how a private university is founded in the United States.
Otto Tennant, Campbellsville University’s vice president for finance and administration, explained how a university is structured with bylaws and state and federal requirements. He explained the budget process, charges and collections, human resources including budgets and the campus master plan.
Benji Kelly, vice president for development, discussed alumni relations, fund raising and university marketing.
Dave Walters, vice president for admissions and student services, talked with the educators about student recruitment and student services.
Campbellsville University deans, Dr. Brenda Priddy, dean of the School of Education; Dr. Pat Cowherd, dean of the School of Business and Economics; Dr. Robert Gaddis, dean of the School of Music; and Dr. Darlene Eastridge, dean of the Carver School of Social Work, address program accreditation and participation in national organizations within education, business, music and social work.
Tony Cunha, assistant professor of music and associate dean of the School of Music, interpreted for the educators, the majority of whom did not speak English.
He said a big reason the educators wanted to visit Campbellsville University was to learn how small institutions survive with larger institutions nearby.
Vanedson Ximenes, an executive with Carta Consulta and husband of Dr. Heidy Ximenes, a music professor at Campbellsville University, was instrumental in having the group on campus.
The group also visited Transylvania University, the University of Kentucky, Belmont University, Vanderbilt University, Jefferson Community and Technical College and the University of Louisville.
Campbellsville University is a private, comprehensive institution located in South Central Kentucky. Founded in 1906, Campbellsville University is affiliated with the Kentucky Baptist Convention and has an enrollment of 2,405 students who represent 98 Kentucky counties, 25 states and 36 foreign nations. Listed in U.S.News & World Report’s 2008 “America’s Best Colleges,” Campbellsville University is ranked 22nd in “Best Baccalaureate Colleges” in the South and eighth in the South for “Great Schools, Great Prices.” Campbellsville University has been ranked 15 consecutive years with U.S.News & World Report. The university has also been named to America’s Best Christian Colleges®. Campbellsville University is located 82 miles southwest of Lexington, Ky., and 80 miles southeast of Louisville, Ky. Dr. Michael V. Carter is in his tenth year as president.