The agreement renews a relationship established between the two institutions in 2013 and strengthens a partnership to encourage VSPU students to obtain their Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) at Southeast.

During the past six years, 11 VSPU students have earned their Master of Arts in TESOL from Southeast. Additionally, 32 VSPU students have participated in a summer internship program at Southeast.

"We are honored to continue to build upon our successful relationship between VSPU students and faculty and the Southeast community," said Dr. Carlos Vargas, president of Southeast Missouri State University. "We are very proud to host VSPU students and provide them the opportunity to reach their higher education goals at Southeast. As they learn our language, traditions and culture, their visits also contribute to enhancing the University communitys understanding of global cultures."

Dr. Kevin Timlin, executive director of Southeast's International Education and Services, said the renewed agreement showcases the Universitys dedication to serving international students and its commitment to creating a diverse and globally-oriented campus.

"Our relationship with VSPU is valuable to us, and we are happy to have the articulation agreement renewed. This will pave the way for more collaboration and cultural sharing," Timlin said.

Commemorating the ceremony was Svitlana Kuzmina, senior lecturer in VSPUs Department of Foreign Languages, and four VSPU students who, as part of the three-week summer internship program at Southeast, are learning about American education and culture.

Kuzmina, who completed a Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence at Southeast during the 2009-2010 academic year, also was recognized for her commitment to the two institutions partnership over the past 10 years.

Kuzmina is the perfect exemplification of the spirit of the Fulbright program, as she is deeply committed to promoting mutual cultural understanding between people at both institutions and communities through numerous person-to-person exchanges, said Timlin.

"We are so proud to recognize Svitlana for her efforts to maintain the collaboration between Southeast and VSPU over the past decade and for her dedication to providing impactful opportunities for VSPU and Southeast students and faculty to interact and learn from one another," he said.

Top Photo Caption: Bottom row are Dr. Kevin Timlin, executive director of Southeasts International Education and Service; Dr. Irina Ustinova, professor of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) in Southeasts Department of English; Dr. Carlos Vargas, president of Southeast; Svitlana Kuzmina, senior lecturer in VSPUs Department of Foreign Languages; and Ben and Pam Ellis of Jackson, Missouri, friends and supporters of Kuzmina. Top row are Floyd Lockhart, Learning Management System administrator in Southeast's Office of Instructional Technology; and VSPU students Viktoriia Kisil, Yuliia Petlinska, Anna Mkrtycheva and MarynaShvets.