Keene State Faculty to Go to Cuba

With the United States and Cuba restoring diplomatic relations after over half a century of limited engagement, colleges in both countries are now forming partnerships that once were heavily restricted. Only months after the U.S. eased travel restrictions, two Keene State College faculty members, Professor of Geography Jo Beth Mullens and Assistant Professor of Spanish Lisa DiGiovanni will be traveling to the Caribbean island nation with COPLACuba, a program intended to introduce Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC) faculty members to contemporary issues in Cuban society.

COPLACuba is being organized by three faculty members from COPLAC institutions. One of the organizers, Associate Professor of Political Science Dr. Steven Elliot-Gower of Georgia College, described the program as “an historic opportunity to get involved in Cuba.” Elliot-Gower and two other COPLAC colleagues collaborated with the Instituto Cubano de Investigación Cultural Juan Marinello in Cuba to plan the program.

According to Elliot-Gower, participants were selected based on their interest in either developing faculty ties or future study abroad programs in Cuba that would amplify institutional and disciplinary diversity. “We wanted to give this opportunity to as many COPLAC institutions as we could,” he said. “We made it clear we didn’t want to involve those already established as experts on Cuba. Instead, we were looking for those who had scholarly interest in Cuba, but didn’t have the infrastructure in place to further that scholarship.” Mullens and DiGiovanni met these criteria and are two of 20 faculty members from across the country selected to participate in this program.

“I was very pleased this summer when we got notices about the opportunity,” said Mullens, a former Fulbright Senior Scholar who is on sabbatical this year. “When I looked at the number of individuals interested and the competition across campus, I had no expectations of being selected. I was very thrilled when I found out.” Digiovanni added, “We have a great faculty at Keene State, and I would’ve been excited if any of my colleagues were selected for the program. It was certainly an honor to be chosen.”

The program will be based in Havana and will examine issues such as population demographics, natural resource management, economic integration, and civil society from multidisciplinary Cuban perspectives. COPLAC faculty members will be able to converse with Cuban scholars, and have the exceptional opportunity for on-the-ground study in their specific field.

Most days will begin with a presentation by Cuban scholars, followed by discussion. Local field trips and cultural events will be provided in the late afternoon or evening. The longer-term goals of the program include the development of collaborative research between COPLAC and Cuban scholars, a visiting faculty program, and a COPLAC study abroad program. The unfolding normalization of U.S.-Cuban relations creates a major opportunity to develop ties with Cuban scholars that complement and support closer political and economic relations between the two countries.

Mullens’s academic focus centers on sustainable natural resource management and environmental issues, particularly those issues pertaining to water resources. The planned itinerary for COPLACuba presents, in Mullens’ words, “a unique opportunity to directly learn from Cuban scholars about the nation’s efforts to sustainably manage their natural resources in the face of urban development, current economic expansion, political shifts, and demographic changes.” She added, “I’m particularly interested in the scheduled discussions regarding Cuba’s eco-tourism development and the opportunity to spend a full day at a UNESCO bio-sphere reserve.”

DiGiovanni’s area of specialization involves contemporary Latin American cultural studies, with an emphasis on literature and film. She particularly looks forward to dialogues that move beyond stereotypical views of the Cuban revolutionary past and its meaning in the present. For DiGiovanni, meeting with scholars and artists in Cuba will give invaluable insight into the current moment of transition and the many perspectives of it within Cuba. For example, the group will meet Fernando Pérez, a documentarian whose film Suite Habana opens a window into the everyday lives of various Cubans living in Havana. COPLAC professors will have special screening of the film with the director and an opportunity to discuss it with him. The trailer may be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=su2SyMo_I0A.

Both Mullens and DiGiovanni hope the trip fosters collaboration among COPLAC educators. “I look forward to this rich opportunity to interact with Cuban scholars and simultaneously with professors from other COPLAC institutions across the country,” said Mullens.

“I see this as a first of many experiences in Cuba,” said DiGiovanni. “Jo Beth and I are both interested in how this trip will open up opportunities and allow additional engagement with Cuba for Keene State faculty and students.”

Mullens and DiGiovanni hope to begin that dialogue this spring with a presentation to the campus, so members of the KSC community can get greater insight into Cuba and learn about a travel program that both women described as a great opportunity.