Activities – STAR Scholars Network

STAR emerged as an informal forum to bring together scholars to focus conversation on advancing social mobility around the globe. In the course of various interactive sessions during international conferences, we came up with an idea to establish a transnational forum of scholars. Now, STAR uses research and advocacy to advance its mission to carry out scholarly research and publication related to international education, exchange program, academic mobility and employability. Envisioning a more humane world, we will continue to fulfill our mission by creating dialogue via forums of exchange through our activities such as conferences and consultation. More specifically, STAR will

Carry out research on social mobility in collaboration with various organizations
Publish and disseminate scholarship
Invite and distribute membership to scholars around the world
Arrange conferences
Advocate social justice via research and scholarship

PAST ACTIVITIES

What is the activity?

Early 2016, informally met at an international conference, started cross country webinars that focused on different aspects of higher education in the US and beyond such as college teaching, student affairs, reforms in semester systems (for Mid-Western University in Nepal), student engagement and assessment (for Tribhuvan University in Nepal). These interactions and sharing of ideas were geared to enhance mutual understanding between the United States and other countries.

In 2017, an academic journal focusing on the progress of minority and underrepresented population was established doing business as the Journal of Underrepresented and Minority Progress. An interdisciplinary, peer-reviewed publication dedicated to sharing knowledge about the progress of minority and underrepresented communities in and across different social and national contexts, the Journal of Underrepresented and Minority Progress (JUMP) aims to advance knowledge about the progress of marginalized communities through theoretical and empirically-based research articles, book reviews, narrative essays, and reflective writing about positive changes and challenges, emerging policies and practices. The journal is international in scope and includes work by scholars in a wide range of academic fields including psychology, religion, sociology, business, social work, anthropology, and philosophy. The journal’s audiences include scholars and researchers of social sciences focusing their work on issues such as ethnicity and race, caste and class, religion and spirituality, gender sexual orientation, power and privilege, wealth and income, health and wellbeing, beliefs and value systems, and intersections of these issues. More information can be accessed at: http://minorityprogress.org/.

Also, the Journal of Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Higher Education was started in collaboration with another non-US university. The International Journal of Multidisciplinary Perspectives in Higher Education is a scholarly publication that seeks to create conversations about education (esp. policy, practice, and research of teaching) among scholars across the academic disciplines and across national and cultural borders. More information can be accessed at: http://jimphe.com/

Most importantly, the idea started back in 2010 with the start of an international journal that brings scholars together from all over the world to discuss issues of internationalization of higher education. The academic journal provides interdisciplinary perspectives via this peer-reviewed publication (Print ISSN 2162-3104 & Online ISSN 2166-3750) on international student affairs published from the United States of America. The goal of the Journal is to feature narrative, theoretical and empirically-based research articles, student/faculty reflections, study abroad experience, and book reviews relevant to international students and their cross-cultural experiences and understanding in higher education. This initiative reaches 4,000 professionals including scholars, professors, students; offices of international education, libraries, other programs; in 352 universities and colleges in the US and around the world (Top 5 countries: USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and China). The readership has a reach to 187 countries including United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, India, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Turkey, and Japan (as of June 2017). More information is available at: https://jistudents.org/

Moreover, members of this Society have contributed in several publications including 5 books and about 300 articles published in prestigious academic journals.

Who conducts the activity?

The members of our society in collaboration with many scholars around the world.

When is the activity conducted?

The activities have been conducted year round since 2010.

Where is the activity conducted?

Most of the leadership activity is conducted in Baltimore, MD; Gainesville, FL; Jonesboro, AR; Monroe, LA; Seldan, NY; Northridge, CA; and Memphis, TN. However, impact of our research and scholarship is around the world including in China, Europe, and Africa.

How does the activity further your exempt purposes?

Since our activities generate scholarship that is freely disseminated, it is all for public good. More specifically, our research and publication is geared toward advancing social mobility hence benefiting the human society in the State of Maryland, in the United States, and beyond.

What percentage of your total time is allocated to the activity?

Leaders of the society spend 5 to 10 percent of their time but other members have flexible commitment.

How is the activity funded?

(This should agree with the financial data in Part IX.)

So far, the activities have been funded with personal funds and split between us. We are looking into formalize this financial structure.

List any alternate names under which you operate, including any “aka” (also known as) or “dba” (doing business as) names.

None.

If you have a website, you may attach a paper copy to support your narrative description of activities.

http://www.internationalsociety.us/

PRESENT ACTIVITIES

We are trying to register this organization for a systematic operation. Now, STAR uses research and advocacy to advance its mission to carry out scholarly research and publication related to international education, exchange program, academic mobility and employability.

FUTURE ACTIVITIES

Envisioning a more humane world, we will continue to fulfil our mission by creating dialogue via forums of exchange through our activities such as conferences and consultation. More specifically, STAR will

Carry out research on social mobility in collaboration with various organizations
Publish and disseminate scholarship
Invite and distribute membership to scholars around the world
Arrange conferences
Advocate social justice via research and scholarship