The University of Findlay - Fulbright Scholar at UF Provides Expertise in Immigration

Hancy Pierre, Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence

Hancy Pierre, UF Fulbright
Scholar-in-Residence

Hancy Pierre, dean of the College of Human Sciences at the State University of Haiti in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, is serving as The University of Findlay’s first Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence for the 2006-2007 academic year.

While serving as a member of the social work faculty at UF, Pierre will educate students, faculty and staff on issues relating to immigrant and refugee populations. Social work majors and other students will have the opportunity to participate in courses that are not normally offered at the University such as Social Work with Immigrant and Refugee Populations in the fall and International Non-Governmental Organizations: Structure, Funding and Process in the spring. Pierre will introduce new material, perspectives and teaching methods to both students and faculty.

In addition to teaching his own courses, Pierre will be speaking to First-Year Experience students and a variety of other classes, as well as several on-campus clubs and organizations. He will also observe and participate in additional graduate and undergraduate class sessions.

“Mr. Pierre’s presence helps the University continually move toward a more thoroughly internationalized campus community. His active involvement in the life of the campus, his engagement with undergraduate and graduate students, and his interaction with faculty provide opportunities for multiple levels of cross-cultural conversations, dialogues and discussions. As a Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence, Mr. Pierre's presence openly invites the academic community to get involved in an international exchange of ideas and scholarship,” said Dr. Marie Louden-Hanes, dean of undergraduate education.

Pierre will offer his expertise to the community as opportunities arise through the academic year. The scholar looks forward to networking with multiple local agencies and professionals.

UF’s request for a scholar-in-residence with knowledge of immigrant and refugee populations is based on U.S. Census Bureau data indicating the number of foreign-born inhabitants of Ohio increased by more than 30 percent between the 1990 and 2000 census. As a result, social workers and other professionals employed in a variety of agencies are being asked to provide services for individuals who face economic, social, linguistic, educational and occupational difficulties.

In his teaching, Pierre talks about the impact that the global marketplace has had on immigration. He points out that immigrants and refugees are coming from all parts of the world into all parts of the world, and communities around the globe need to understand how to handle the influx of people and the related challenges.

The University has a 10-year academic exchange history with Haiti. Barry Mickey, director of the social work program and professor of social work at UF, has traveled to Haiti each year for the past 10 years with social work students, giving students an opportunity to experience social work systems in a country other than their own. Mickey hopes to take another group of students in the spring, depending on the country’s political situation, using Pierre’s expertise to heighten the learning experience. In 2003, Mickey served as a Fulbright Scholar in Haiti, further strengthening academic ties with the country.

Pierre resides in Findlay with his wife and two sons.