UW Selected as Faculty Enrichment Program Host for Fall Semester

For the second time, the University of Wyoming has been selected as a host institution for the fall Faculty Enrichment Program (FEP) by the American Councils for International Education, which is funded by the U.S. Embassy in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

FEP is a visiting scholars program that was launched in Uzbekistan to advance the pedagogical skills and professional disciplinary expertise of faculty members. While on the UW campus, the two visiting fellows will engage in curriculum development, explore alternative teaching methodologies, expand their knowledge in their fields of study, and gather new teaching materials and resources.

The two UW schools and faculty members who will host the Uzbekistani FEP Fellows are:

-- Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources, Dean John Koprowski and Sara Ghezzi, assistant professor of practice for outdoor recreation and tourism management. They will host Indira Rakhmanova, from the Tourism and Hospitality School.

-- School of Computing, Jeff Hamerlinck, Wyoming Geographic Information Science Center director. He will host Mekhriddin Rakhmanov, a computer science/artificial intelligence professor, from the Tashkent University of Information Technologies.

The visiting fellows will work closely with their UW mentors and will be supported by Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) resources, says Dilnoza Khasilova, UW’s SoTL assessment specialist. Originally from Uzbekistan, Khasilova is UW’s FEP coordinator.

The program shows UW’s strong partnership with the American Councils for International Education and the U.S. Embassy in Uzbekistan that funds and administers FEP, Khasilova says.

“We have incredible faculty who are dedicated and willing to global exchange. Hosting the FEP Fellows or any visiting scholars enriches the campus community by fostering cultural exchange; promoting collaboration and innovation; strengthening global engagement efforts; and enhancing teaching and learning practices,” she says. “It serves as a valuable opportunity for UW as the host university to contribute to international education initiatives and cultivate a more inclusive and globally minded academic environment.”

Specifically, the presence of FEP Fellows on campus enhances UW’s global engagement efforts by facilitating international partnerships and exchanges. Hosting the Fellows strengthens educational ties between the U.S. and Uzbekistan, promotes mutual understanding and fosters long-term relationships that benefit both institutions.

Throughout their exchange program, Fellows will observe courses, attend academic conferences and webinars, and work closely with UW faculty mentors across campus. Fellows may be invited to present lectures or co-teach classes at UW. Through structured opportunities to engage with students and faculty, Fellows will significantly enhance their understanding of the U.S. higher education systems.

Khasilova says she is excited about the opportunity to support the FEP Fellows as part of her Ellbogen Center for Teaching and Learning work on engaging in curriculum development and exploring alternative teaching methodologies during the Fellows’ stay.

“Their insights and expertise contribute to the enhancement of teaching and learning practices at UW, enriching the academic experience for students and faculty alike,” she adds. “They will later present their research and teaching practices with our UW campus community.”

She adds that FEP at UW would not be successful without the support and mentorship of last spring's cohort mentors spread across several departments, divisions and schools on campus.

For more information about FEP at UW, email Khasilova at dkhasilo@uwyo.edu.