Hill accepts site manager position at KSU's Italy educational site

Ken Hill, senior lecturer in the FYTS Department and assistant program manager for the President’s Emerging Global Scholars (PEGS) program, answers questions about his new assignment in Italy while traveling by train (the Chuisi-Chianciano) from Rome to his final destination in Montepulciano.

 

Q. What is your new title?

A. I am the new site manager at KSU’s Montepulciano Educational Site.

                                        

Q. How long will you be serving in the role of site manager?

A. Initially, this position has been offered to me for 30 months, from January of 2016 until June 30, 2018.  Essentially, I am “on loan” (through an MOU or Memorandum of Understanding) from University College and the Honors College to the Division of Global Affairs (DGA) and the Education Abroad Office (EAO) during that time.

 

Q. What are your primary duties?

A. The primary duties of this position are:

• To establish and manage the fiscal and budgetary responsibilities of the site

• To assist the different program Academic Directors with logistics, planning, and support

• To cultivate relationships with strategic partners

• To help in providing for the safety and security of KSU students and operations while ensuring the compliance of DGA/EAO policies essential to our work

• To help in the development of teaching opportunities and site-specific programs in Montepulciano

 

Q. Why was the position created?

A. Kennesaw State University has been a formal partner in the Montepulciano venture since 2011. This partnership affords KSU a 25-year lease on a portion of space in the Montepulciano’s Fortezza. During the last four years, several KSU administrators and educators have worked at the Montepulciano site and in Kennesaw to establish a variety of educational and conference experiences designed to develop and maximize the opportunities and benefits afforded Kennesaw State through this collaboration. Throughout that time, no KSU staff member has lived “on-site” to represent our commitment to the project. This position makes a statement about KSU’s commitment to this initiative and enables a KSU staff member the opportunity to actively participate in the day-to-day and long-term responsibilities associated with the operation and development of the facility. We are indebted to our partners in this venture for the ongoing contributions and commitments they have made to the success of the Montepulciano project:

 

The Montepulciano Town Council or Commune

Vino Noble Wine Consortium

Il Sasso Language School

  

Q. Could it become a long-term assignment?

A.That is certainly a possibility.  After this initial period, the position will be assessed, and a long-term plan will be enacted.