The Online Reflector

Galen University, one of University of Indianapolis’ partner campuses, is undergoing new Belizean management that is looking to focus on academic programs.

Galen University has partnered with the University of Indianapolis since its opening in 2003.

According to its Web site, Galen’s mission is “to provide excellence in undergraduate, graduate and professional education to prepare students to achieve their dreams and goals. Galen University is committed to providing an exciting and stimulating learning environment, innovative and supportive teaching, scholarship, and active service to the community-with a unique focus on ‘sustainable development’ throughout our courses, programs and service.”

Also central to Galen’s mission is the theme of sustainability and environmental awareness.

“Part of what Galen does is to expand the opportunities for faculty and students, and expands it in an area that our students care about, which is environmental,” said Vice President for Research, Planning and International Partnerships Mary Moore. “And in creating a sustainable plan, Galen has at the center of its curriculum the theme of sustainability.”

According to Director of International Division Mimi Chase, the original owners of Galen University made an investment in the institution, but the institution was looking for new Belizean ownership.
“It took quite some time to find the right partner to have new ownership and leadership that is Belizean,” Chase said.

The old provost of Galen was a Canadian citizen who recently resigned. The new Belizean provost, Henry Alegria, has a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of South Carolina. He has served as director of the environmental science program at California Lutheran University and chair of the environmental science and geography department at the University of South Florida. Alegria is dean of undergraduate studies and professor of environmental sciences and chemistry.

“Dr. Alegria brings a rich experience with the U.S. educational system back to Belize, which is his home country,” Moore said. “So he is someone that made sacrifices, giving up the position that he had to go back to help grow the higher education opportunities within Belize.”

Because of the tropical location of Belize, science students are better able to study locations than they would be able to in Indianapolis. Belize is located near the rain forest, coastal waterways and coral reefs.

“As another location, it really is fairly close,” Moore said. “We may have a partnership with South Africa, but it is so far for our students to travel, even though we have a few that are interested. But with Galen, it is a manageable distance.”

Being such a close partner with Galen enables students easier access to service learning sites, according to Moore. Instructor of Art and Design and Key Advisor of Fine Arts Marilyn McElwain has traveled to Belize for the past four years during Spring Term to locate partners for service projects. This year, McElwain’s co-leader is Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice and Sociology Kevin Whiteacre.

“This spring term is a continuation of two of our service projects with an elementary school in Benque Vejo, a few miles from the Guatemalan border, and with a senior citizen assisted-living facility in San Ignacio,” McElwain said. “We also have a new project in the works at a domestic violence center in the same community.”