The Mission of Toucan Education Programs is to Serve, Learn, Explore, Ethically, and Responsibly.
THE SLE FACTOR™—Serve, Learn, Explore—is an innovative framework designed to ensure intentionality in program development, administration, and accountability to our stakeholders.
Toucan Education Programs (TOUCAN) is a Belizean-owned and operated Social Enterprise Program Provider of short-term experiential and service-learning programming in the country of Belize and where else we operate.
The organization was established in 2010 with the intent to provide visiting students and educators with authentic, high-quality short-term education abroad programs that incorporates a reciprocal learning model.
TOUCAN blends academic excellence with experiential learning and cultural immersion, promoting intercultural competence through practice and a specialized facilitated co-curriculum embedded in each open enrolled and faculty-directed program.
Leveraging its extensive host organizational network and expert mentors, we deliver transformative experiences that equip students for purposeful living and career fulfillment
Through sustainable and respectful partnerships, learners and educators are connected to community-integrated learning opportunities to provide meaningful support that addresses immediate needs.
Stakeholder centric, social and environmental responsibility, operate with integrity, a commitment to intercultural learning
Focused on health & Safety, Empathy, Preparation of participants, commitment to learning outcomes, respectful intercultural interactions
Re-entry preparation and support, alumni engagement
Prioritize sustainable relationships, build and maintain mutual respect and value.
Through THE SLE FACTOR™ program model, students engage meaningfully, gain skills, and explore Belize’s diverse culture and environment. The SLE approach aligns with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, emphasizing social responsibility and ethical community engagement.
Through a partnership with Shenandoah University, students can earn 3 U.S. accredited academic credits in Sustainable Development, Natural Resource, and Culture Learning during Toucan Education Programs’ summer field intensive opportunities in Belize.
Rhondine Petrof, Founder and CEO of Toucan Education Programs, has extensive experience in reciprocal education abroad and community-integrated learning. She has over two decades of experience in short-term program design and administration.
Her background includes 12 years in Hospitality Management, over 6 years in Higher Education in Belize in various departments, and 5 years working in Non-profit roles, including serving on the Board of Directors.
Originally from Belize, Rhondine focuses on integrating Belize’s rich learning environment into the programs, ensuring students gain professional skills, personal empowerment, and cultural fluency.
She surrounds herself with highly competent local and international educators and team. The programs are designed to meet the academic standards of Higher Education Institutions, while fostering global citizenship, human development potential, and respecting cultural and national identities.
Dive into a nuanced exploration of the global discourse surrounding higher education in the United States. Join us for a panel discussion with esteemed international educators as we embark on a journey through the lenses of culture and international perspective, examining how global audiences interpret and engage with the ‘anti-woke’ discourse within the context of U.S. higher education. This engaging panel discussion will delve into the intersections of culture, ideology, and education, and the complex landscape of how international audiences perceive the ‘anti-woke’ narrative that has emerged within U.S. academia.
Whether you’re a senior international officer, or simply curious about the diverse viewpoints shaping U.S. higher education, this podcast episode will provide an invaluable space for critical analysis and insightful conversations.
Fanta Aw is a distinguished leader in international education, renowned for her extensive contributions to global learning, cross-cultural understanding, and educational equity. With a deep commitment to fostering connections between diverse cultures and promoting educational excellence, she has significantly impacted the international education community.
Fanta Aw’s career has been characterized by her dedication to advancing global education initiatives, promoting diversity and inclusion, and nurturing partnerships that transcend borders. She has held influential roles in various organizations, advocating for the importance of international collaboration and learning experiences that empower individuals to navigate an increasingly interconnected world.
As a thought leader and visionary, Fanta Aw’s insights and expertise have shaped discussions on the future of international education, emphasizing the significance of equitable access, cultural exchange, and lifelong learning. Her work has not only elevated institutions but has also inspired countless individuals to embrace the transformative power of global education.
Date: September 14th, 2023
Time: 12 noon ET
An experienced global researcher and administrator, Mark Beirn brings a critical approach to risk management, factoring structural racism and identity-based violence into his rubric for supporting equitable global mobility.
Specialization Areas:
– Global Risk Management
– Education Abroad
– Diversity, Equity, Inclusion in International Education
– Health and Safety
– Curriculum Development
Stephen Appiah-Padi is an international educator with several years of teaching and administrative experience in both 4 and 2-year HEIs. An experienced global education practitioner-scholar, with a demonstrated history of success in the field.
Dr. Appiah-Padi has a Ph.D. from the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada in Educational Policy & Administration with a specialization in International/Intercultural Education.
At Northwestern College, he provided oversight in the administration of education abroad and international student services. In Lansing, Michigan, he first oversaw diversity and intercultural education at Lansing Community College, and later created the Center for International and Intercultural Education (CIIE) which merged intercultural engagement and international education programs of the institution, and he became its first director. Additionally, Dr. Appiah-Padi taught a course, “Diversity in the American Workplace”, to undergraduate management students of the College. In his current position, he provides leadership and vision in advancing strategic internationalization initiatives, including international partnerships and study abroad programs at Bucknell University.
Dr Appiah-Padi has created and facilitated several workshops for faculty and staff development in higher education and in business organizations. He has presented at several national and international conferences. In NAFSA, among several volunteer leadership positions, he has served as Dean of the Fundamentals of Intercultural Communication Workshop, the Leadership Development Committee member, Chair of the Africa Special Interest Group, and a Fellow of the Global Fellowship Program for mentoring emerging leaders of internationalization in African HEIs. He currently serves as a member of the NAFSA Board of Directors.
Dr. Rosa Almoguera has worked as an international educator for over twenty years. She was trained as a Hispanic Philologist at the Universidad Complutense, in Madrid, and did her M.A. at the University of Pennsylvania. Her Ph.D., from Universidad Complutense included a field study and edition of written balladry “Romancero”. During many years Rosa combined teaching and her role as a senior administrator at the Fundación Ortega-Marañón in Toledo, Spain. At the Foundation, Rosa directed and, in many cases created, programs for the University of Minnesota, Notre Dame, Princeton, Ohio State, Arcadia, and the University of Chicago. She has also been a visiting professor at the University of Minnesota, University of Portland, and Interamericana de Puerto Rico.
Beginning in 2016, Rosa works as an international education consultant for both public and private European and US higher education institutions. Rosa has been successful in developing new partnerships and programs, as well as helping improve already existing ones.
Rosa is a member of Forum and NAFSA and has presented with higher education professionals on innovative academic and research programming, STEM in study abroad and Nationalism in Europe. Rosa is currently completing the final Professional Certification from the Forum on Education Abroad.
