Melinda McClimans
Graduate Teaching Associate at The Ohio State University
50 years old
Columbus United States
Professional Status
Employed
Available
About Me
My objective is to become a leader in the field of Global Education. My goal is to transform the lives of as many people as possible by giving them the means and showing them how to master cultural complexity, and by supporting implementation of global perspectives in businesses, educational organizations and transnational projects. I have been teaching at the university level and training organizations in multiple sectors for the past 11+ years on how to successfully navigate significant cultural difference. Under my administrative leadership the Center has secured $4.5+ million in grant funds, in addition to tens of thousands in donations, and contributions from co-sponsors for the aforementioned events.
I value impact, change and adaptation, and believe in investing in performance and outcomes evaluation. For example, I design, conduct pre-and post activities, and lead the Middle East Studies Center's annual study tour to Turkey for teachers. Prior to the trip I recruit and vet participants, and conduct in-depth evaluation afterward. I leverage funds and other resources to stretch the value of every dollar and maximize impact by working effectively with other units within the OSU university community and beyond, engaging with students, faculty and university colleagues to achieve the mission of MESC.
I know global education. I can connect with diverse audiences and help them the gain the confidence they need to learn about the Middle East and gain a global perspective. In December of 2013 I passed my candidacy exam for a PhD in Global Education. Fulfilling my leadership role in MESC, I nurture enduring relationships with like-minded organizations in the U.S. and the Middle East (West Asia/Turkey/North Africa). While living in Jeddah, I studied Arabic at the American University in Cairo and at the Bourguiba Institute of Language in Tunis. While living in Bangkok, I interned at the UN Environmental Program.
I value impact, change and adaptation, and believe in investing in performance and outcomes evaluation. For example, I design, conduct pre-and post activities, and lead the Middle East Studies Center's annual study tour to Turkey for teachers. Prior to the trip I recruit and vet participants, and conduct in-depth evaluation afterward. I leverage funds and other resources to stretch the value of every dollar and maximize impact by working effectively with other units within the OSU university community and beyond, engaging with students, faculty and university colleagues to achieve the mission of MESC.
I know global education. I can connect with diverse audiences and help them the gain the confidence they need to learn about the Middle East and gain a global perspective. In December of 2013 I passed my candidacy exam for a PhD in Global Education. Fulfilling my leadership role in MESC, I nurture enduring relationships with like-minded organizations in the U.S. and the Middle East (West Asia/Turkey/North Africa). While living in Jeddah, I studied Arabic at the American University in Cairo and at the Bourguiba Institute of Language in Tunis. While living in Bangkok, I interned at the UN Environmental Program.
Assistant Director
The Middle East Studies Center at The Ohio State University
Since July 2003
- I teach, conduct symposia, make academic presentations and host colloquia, write successful grant proposals, and manage the Center’s communications. I manage or oversee 30-40 academic events per year, including major conferences. I design, implement and evaluate professional development and for-credit courses for teachers and the military, including the Center’s annual study tour to Turkey. I manage multiple budgets, up to $300,000 each, from granting agencies and donors and funds from Center clientele. Under my administrative leadership the Center has secured $4.5+ million in grant funds, in addition to tens of thousands in donations. Speaking engagements have included:
- I have been managing the Middle East Studies Center at The Ohio State University for 11 years, supervising a team of 5 employees for the past 4. I oversee the Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowship (FLAS) program, and advise 15-20 fellows per year. Key partners I have worked with as part of my leadeship role at the Middle East Studies Center include: Near Eastern Languages and Cultures (NELC), the Undergraduate International Studies Program (UISP), and the Middle East Studies Library Collections (MESLC), in addition to universities in Turkey, such as Yeditepe, Istanbul University, Anadolu University and Ataturk University. I work closely with The Middle East Outreach Council, and served on the board (2009-2013).
Graduate Teaching Associate
The Ohio State University
Since January 2001
- Assisting in Teaching “Introduction to the Middle East” in OSU’s Undergraduate International Studies Program, and “Contemporary Issues in the Middle East” in Near Eastern Languages and Cultures.
Graduate Teaching Associate
The Ohio State University
June 2010
to June 2012
- Taught course in the College of Education “The Middle East in World Affairs” for Columbus School District Teachers. This was the Center's week-long institute for teachers. The teachers' tuition was paid by the school district, according to an agreement negotiated by MESC and the College of Education with the district.
Graduate Teaching Associate
The Ohio State University
January 2010
to March 2010
- Co-taught online course “World Cultures and Global Issues” in the College of Education and Human Ecology, Teaching and Learning Department, with Merry Merryfield
Graduate Teaching Associate
The Ohio State University
June 2008
to July 2008
- Assisted Merry Merryfield in Teaching “Intercultural Experiential Learning”
Graduate Teaching Associate
The Ohio State University
January 2007
to March 2007
- Taught Near Eastern Languages and Cultures 294 “Introduction to Egyptian Culture” Then led the students on a study tour in Egypt.
Graduate Student Editor
Near Eastern Languages and Cultures Department at The Ohio State University
August 1999
to June 2000
- Produced the academic periodical, "The Middle East and South Asia Folklore Bulletin", published by the Near Eastern Languages and Cultures Department at The Ohio State University. Helped build and maintain their web site.
Audit Administrator
Ohio Builders Credit Bureau
May 1998
to September 1998
- Updated Businesses audit records yearly, and set up new accounts.
Intern
UNEP
March 1997
to June 1997
- Produced instructional materials on biodiversity and sustainable development for general audiences in the South East Asian and Pacific region. Copy editor of other UN publications.
Assistant Director
The Middle East Studies Center at The Ohio State University
Since July 2003
Columbus
United States - Ohio
- Managing projects with major budgets and grants; writing grant proposals and reports; editing and producing the Ohio State University Middle East Studies Bulletin. Teaching courses in Near Eastern Languages and Cultures and the College of Education, including "Egyptian Culture", and "The Middle East in World Affairs".
Presention: Teaching Other Cultures, Identities, (Mis)representation, and Empowerment
Miami University's Annual Graduate Student Educational Leadership Conference
February 2012
Miami
United States - Ohio
- I presented on a panel. We used the Korean game, Yut Nori, to illustrate the topics in the title of our presentation. My part centered on the ways in which games can be used to teach about distant world areas.
Presentation: Teaching About the Middle East: Engaging Students and the Public through Identity
The Middle East Studies Association Meeting
November 2009
Boston
United States - Massachusetts
- History, education and marketing scholars/teachers presented on a roundtable about identity as an increasingly a salient topic in pedagogy for teaching about cultural diversity and world regions. My piece centered on making connections between content and student identities in the classroom.
Graduate Student Editor
Near Eastern Languages and Cultures Department at The Ohio State University
August 1999
to June 2000
- Produced the academic periodical, "The Middle East and South Asia Folklore Bulletin", published by the Near Eastern Languages and Cultures Department at The Ohio State University.
Audit Administrator
Ohio Builders Credit Bureau
May 1998
to September 1998
Columbus
United States - Ohio
- Updated Businesses audit records yearly, and set up new accounts.
Intern
UNEP
March 1998
to June 1998
- Proofread and corrected UN publications and created a powerpoint on biodiversity and sustainable development.
