WKU, Six Gatton Academy Students Selected to Participate in Prestigious Chinese Language Flagship

In today’s competitive global economy, U.S. undergraduate and graduate students are under increasing pressure to gain skills that set them apart from the rest of the pack upon graduation.

The Language Flagship, an innovative and relatively new initiative established  by the National Security Education Program, has scholarship and fellowship awards available to students with the motivation and determination to successfully complete an advanced language immersion and cultural studies program.

Western Kentucky University was selected earlier this year as of eight funded programs in the United States to receive the honor.  Other universities participating in the program include: Indiana University, Ohio State, Brigham Young University, Arizona State University, University of Rhode Island, University of Oregon, and the University of Mississippi.

Additionally, six Gatton Academy students have been selected to participate in the program’s first cohort: Jared Mink, a second-year student from Laurel County; Megan Stulz, a second-year student from Kenton County; Amy Cordero, a second-year student from Pike County; Jason Ludden, a second-year student from Adair County; Sarah Schrader, a first-year student from Warren County; and Ben Venable, a first-year student from Oldham County.

By enrolling students from across all majors and disciplines—including the sciences, economics, business, and literature—Flagship programs mainstream language study into a student’s curriculum, ensuring that they will be capable of functioning in their profession in the target language. A U.S. workforce with language proficiency and more sophisticated cultural understanding will create goodwill leading to greater international cooperation and collaboration.

According to Michael Nugent, director of the initiative based in Arlington, VA, “Graduates of The Language Flagship already have started taking their place among the next generation of global professionals through superior proficiency in languages critical to U.S. competitiveness and national security.” In fact, alumni of the program now work in key leadership and diplomacy positions in the government, business, and civic sectors.

For many careers pursued by top college graduates today, it’s not enough to study political science coupled with two years of language instruction that may not have direct relevance to the student’s major.  Today’s professionals need to be able to function at a high level in their chosen fields as well as in their language of study. To meet this need, Flagship programs include intensive language training with long-term overseas study in a non-language subject.

According to WKU’s Office of Scholar Development, these programs are rigorous but rewarding and come with highly personalized advising and lucrative scholarships.  Moreover, participation in the program can increase students’ competitiveness for outstanding jobs in both government and industry.

All of the Flagship programs include two components: a domestic component at one of the U.S. Flagship institutions, and an intensive study abroad component at the Overseas Flagship Centers in China.   Both components are mandatory and essential to student success.

Amy Cordero, Ben Venable, China, Chinese Language Flagship, Jared Mink, Jason Ludden, Megan Stulz, Office of Scholar Development, Sarah Schrader, study abroad, WKU