The roster of Woodrow Wilson Visiting Fellows has been augmented this year with 25 newly appointed Fellows. In addition, CIC has arranged visits by Fellows at more than 100 colleges and universities since January 2008, when the Council began administering the program. More than 50 visits have already been scheduled for the spring 2009 semester.

With the surge of interest in the Visiting Fellows program, CIC will continue to expand the roster, particularly by adding experts in science, studio arts, Asian and Middle Eastern affairs, writing, the environment, and contemporary American politics. Nominations of potential Fellows are welcome and may be sent to Roger Bowen, director of the Woodrow Wilson Visiting Fellows program and CIC senior advisor, at rbowen@cic.nche.edu.

The Visiting Fellows program brings prominent artists, diplomats, journalists, business leaders, and other nonacademic professionals to campuses for week-long residential programs of classes, seminars, workshops, lectures, and informal discussions that benefit the entire campus community. The program is particularly appealing because it is an affordable and convenient way to bring high profile speakers to campuses for extended stays.

Woodrow Wilson Fellow Dimon Liu, a human rights activist, architect, and urban planner, recently visited Benedictine University (IL) where she conducted classroom discussions and open forums, engaging faculty members and students in a variety of issues dealing with human rights within the context of China’s past and present. Maria de la Camara, dean of the College of Liberal Arts, said “Liu’s approach—challenging yet respectful of diverse opinions—provided an excellent opportunity for critical and thoughtful thinking. This was our first time hosting a Woodrow Wilson Fellow, and we could not have been more pleased with the experience. Liu’s public lecture on her last day on our campus attracted a record audience and a number of students and faculty members inquired about the possibility of having a similar experience next year.”

Information about requesting a Woodrow Wilson Visiting Fellow for spring 2009 or for the 2009–2010 academic year is available on CIC’s website at www.cic.edu/visitingfellows. The site also includes the full roster of Fellows, an application form, and a Campus Coordinator’s Planning Manual. The priority application deadline is Monday, March 2, 2009. Colleges may request specific Fellows, and CIC staff members match the institution with the Fellows requested or with those who have expertise in the college’s area of interest. The college approves the final arrangement.

The fee for hosting a Woodrow Wilson Fellow is $6,250 (or $7,250 for hosting a visiting couple). CIC members pay a reduced fee of $5,750 for a standard visit (or $6,750 for a visit by a couple).