Salem College Awarded Fulbright-Hays Grant for Short-Term Seminar in Morocco on Women’s Rights, Health, and Culture

Winston-Salem, NC – January 8, 2025 – Salem College has been awarded a Fulbright-Hays Group Project Abroad (GPA) grant, in partnership with Bennett College, for a four-week seminar in Morocco. The seminar, titled “Women and Health Equity in Morocco: Exploring the Relationships Among Moroccan Women’s Rights, Health, and Culture,” will provide a transformative professional development opportunity for faculty, staff, and administrators from both institutions.

This seminar aligns with Salem College’s focus on health leadership, as participants will explore the intersection of women’s rights, health, and culture in Morocco. The program will include visits to a variety of Moroccan healthcare providers, including midwives, herbalists, doctors/nurses, healers, counselors/mental health providers, and university public health faculty. Participants will also engage with leaders of Moroccan women’s NGOs, such as l’Union Féminine Marocaine and l’Organisation Démocratique des Femmes du Maroc, to better understand how women’s rights and culture are intertwined in Moroccan society.

The 14 participants, including 6 faculty, staff, and administrators from Salem College, will be led by Project Director Dr. Anne C. Hayes (Bennett College) and Project Co-Director Dr. Charlotte M. Vail (Salem College). During their time in Morocco in June, participants will also receive intensive Arabic language instruction, visit significant historic and cultural sites, and participate in reflective activities that enhance intercultural competence.

“The Fulbright-Hays Grant advances Salem’s commitment to health leadership in new and innovative ways by expanding faculty and staff members’ disciplinary and professional lenses and fostering a global understanding of women’s health and health equity through seminars, excursions, and engagement with professionals in Morocco,” said Dr. Charlotte M. Vail, Project Co-Director from Salem College.

Upon their return, participants will integrate the themes of Moroccan women’s rights, health, and culture into their work through one of the following activities:

• Developing a new course or curriculum design
• Redesigning an existing course or curriculum
• Designing a faculty-led study abroad program to Morocco
• Developing a creative exhibition on the seminar’s theme, such as:
  • Making a documentary video
  • Creating a photography exhibit
  • Creating a series of drawings, paintings, or mixed media.
• Developing a co-curricular student leadership or student engagement project.

These projects will be formally presented at the Moroccan Women’s Rights, Health, and Culture Symposium in the Fall.

About Salem College

Salem College provides women a liberal arts education with a distinctive focus on health and leadership ensuring our graduates understand the power, importance, and complexity of health in our society. Salem College prepares students for a range of career paths to lead in making the world a better, healthier, more equitable place. Salem College is the only national liberal arts college exclusively focused on developing the health leaders of tomorrow.

Media Contact

Amanda James
amanda.james@salem.edu