As announced in the May 11, 2021 Cardinal Update, the university’s long-standing theater program in London is being expanded to serve all Saint Mary’s undergraduate students beginning in Fall 2022. We will partner with Saint Mary’s University in Twickenham/London to make available a high quality international experience for our students. Students will be able to choose from a variety of courses, including theater, and they will have access to amenities provided by Saint Mary’s University in Twickenham/London. More details including scheduled information sessions for students will be shared soon.
Over the summer, Provost Brian Schmisek charged a task force with exploring potential partner universities in the London area that would appeal to all Saint Mary’s students, particularly theater. The task force initially identified ten possible partners and paid special attention to curriculum, costs, and the student experience, including support services, orientation, housing, dining, excursion opportunities, mental health and wellness, and compliance with US standards for student support. At the end of the summer the task force recommended three universities for further consideration.
During the fall Provost Schmisek, Dean Cosby Ronnenberg, Dr. Bickerstaff, and Rebecca Vogel held multiple meetings via zoom with study abroad and theatre/drama departments from these three universities. The meetings were used to gather specifics regarding each university’s partnership protocols pertaining to: institutional logistics (tuition/fees, billing policies, direct enrollment, and affiliation contracts); academics (curriculum compatibility, experiential learning, module (course) availability, transfer procedures, calendar, and GPA requirements); support services (health, counseling, academic, social, and pre/post arrival programming); as well as accommodations (room, board, and campus location/amenities). Saint Mary’s University in Twickenham/London was chosen after this deliberative process, as it meets and exceeds our criteria while also providing special opportunities for theater students.
Many thanks especially to the task force, which consists of:
Susan Cosby Ronnenberg, Dean of the College, Chair of the Committee
Ned Kirk, Department Chair, Fine and Performing Arts
Jimmy Bickerstaff, Associate Professor of Theater
Becky Vogel, Director of the International Center
Carolyn Ayers, Associate Dean of Integratus
Moni Berg-Binder, Associate Dean of Sciences
Kristina Lemmer, Director of Admissions
And many thanks to Gary Diomandes who led the program for years before his retirement after 2019.
The program will be known as the Stefannié Valéncia Kierlin Program in London and will be a feature of our undergraduate admissions strategy going forward to grow enrollment (Goal 2 of the strategic plan). The plans for London 2022 and beyond also help us allocate resources in an effective and efficient manner (Goal 5 of the strategic plan), and we continue to create partnerships that foster innovation (Goal 3 of the strategic plan).
