Beginning with a chance encounter last summer, networking began that led to an invitation from the Minister of Health for Mauritania.  Following a transformational trip to visit with the leaders in healthcare in that country, SESI has been awarded a contract to support the elevation of the healthcare system there.  Among the many important issues that will be addressed are; improvement for women's healthcare issues, reduction in maternal and infant mortality rates, the launch of a burn unit, support for the national transfusion center, and help provided to the national public health research center.  This work will include partnering with key universities throughout the United States and around the world to offer education and training for the professionals who provide healthcare there.  The University of Nouakchott, in the capital of Mauritania will be central to the success of these efforts.

From October 23rd through October 25th, 2016, CUMU hosted their annual conference in our nation's capital.  The agenda was action-packed with opportunities to listen to the national thought leaders who address the critical issue of what it means for a university to truly be, "Stewards of Place."  The theme of the conference, "Charting the Future of Metropolitan Universities" provided the umbrella under which featured speakers such as, Dr. Bob Caret, Chancellor, University System of Maryland, Dr. Karen Stout, President, Achieving the Dream, and Wes Moore, Founder and CEO, BridgeEDU shared their viewpoints.  SESI was honored to provide executive support to this extraordinary, international meeting.

Bethesda, MD was the site for Lilly Conference on Evidence-Based Teaching and Learning, June 2-5, 2016.  Dr. Kimberly Luse led a presentation at the conference entitled, "A Blueprint for Diversity and Inclusiveness in Higher Education."  The work that has been conducted by SESI at Clemson University was shared, and the progress that has been made there created rich discussion among the attendees.