CIS Welcomes New BAIS Director as Program Grows
By Julia van Wagenen
Communications Assistant, Center for International Studies
Commitment does not come from a degree, said the new director of Bachelor of Arts in International Studies.
Dr. Saumya Pant is from India, but is no stranger to OU. Pant came to OU about 10 years ago after receiving a MA from the University of Pune in Maharashtra, India. In Athens, she received a Ph.D. and M.A. from the School of Communication Studies.
Pant said she believes she can relate to students well and see things from their perspective because not long ago, she was in their place. This is useful considering one of her roles as the director of the Bachelor of Arts in International Studies (BAIS) program is advising freshman International Studies majors. Pant is also the faculty advisor for ISMA, the International Studies Majors Association.
She is working to improve the BAIS program, which she says is growing rapidly. Two of her priorities for the year are revising and expanding the curriculum of the program and recruiting more students. This winter, Pant will go to India to recruit students at two universities, one of which she attended.
Pant is currently working with professors from around the university to develop a South Asia Studies Certificate for next fall. Eventually, she would like to see the program grow into a major.
In addition to her work in the Center for International Studies, Pant teaches courses for the Women's Studies department. Currently, she is teaching Introduction to Woman's Studies, and this winter, she will teach a class on global feminism.
BAIS senior Molly Gilmore, the president and founder of ISMA, says the student club is growing along with the BAIS program. ISMA was formed last fall in order to join students from across the International Studies major. Gilmore said before the club began, she rarely interacted with students of different specializations. Her goal for the club is to change that, as well as learn about other cultures and get know the International Studies faculty.
This year, Gilmore will work to expand membership in the club, which currently consists of about 30 students. She hopes to continue to have several cultural events including a Chinese tea ceremony or a salsa night, which she says she hopes will draw people to the club. Last year, ISMA had four cultural dinners, which included lessons in etiquette for the culture being highlighted. She also hopes to create a study abroad scholarship, and has already begun to raise funds.
The club meets for dinner at 6 pm every other Sunday at a different ethnic restaurant, and meetings start at 7 pm.
Click here to see past events.
Click here to visit the BAIS info page.