Meet the EPIC leaders: Debbie Lee

The Education Partnership for Internationalizing Curriculum (EPIC) Leadership program brings together a cohort of mid- and senior-level administrators from community colleges and minority-serving institutions across the United States to participate in leadership training and design programs at their home institutions to support international education.

Debbie Lee, dean of intercultural and international studies at De Anza College, is one of four administrators participating in this year's program. During her fellowship, she hopes to come up with ideas on enhancing and enriching the global studies program at De Anza College to attract more students. She plans to implement these ideas in such a way that community college students can easily access these opportunities and build meaningful relationships with people from a variety of different cultures. 

Why did you decide to apply to the EPIC leadership program?

I wanted to hear new ideas on how to revitalize the global studies program at De Anza College. I also wanted to learn about what other community colleges and faculty were doing in global studies. Given that the food we eat, the clothes we wear, the gas we purchase, the environment we live in, etc. are now global issues and are impacted by policies and practices in countries around the world, I strongly feel students need to be aware of these global issues, the impact the U.S. has on other nations, and vice versa. We truly are global citizens.

Why do you believe it is important for community colleges to engage in the work of global education?

Our students need to see themselves in the curriculum and understand the relevance of an education. Our students come from diverse backgrounds; they need to see content that is not solely from a Eurocentric perspective. So many aspects of our society and how we live are global issues. Students need to see this and see how they play a role in global society.

What was your favorite part of the 2022 summer intensive workshop?

I really loved building a relationship with the other participants in this program and talking about ideas on how to incorporate global education at our institutions. I also loved the presentation on the archives at the Hoover Institution. The presenter was able to tell stories behind the archives and bring history alive.

What are you looking forward to accomplishing and learning about over the next year as an EPIC fellow?

I'm looking forward to revitalizing the global studies program at De Anza and learning how I can become a leader to make things happen.