CAORC-WARC OVERSEAS FACULTY DEVELOPMENT SEMINAR
West Africa and The Americas: Continuities and Transformations
Senegal (Dakar, Saint-Louis, Toubacouta)
Seminar Overview
This seminar, administered by CAORC in collaboration with the West African Research Association (WARA) and its member center in Senegal, the West Africa Research Center (WARC), funds participation in a two-week workshop centered in Dakar that will also include visits to Gorée Island, Toubacouta, and Saint-Louis, among other locations. This seminar will feature lectures, site visits, panel discussions, and film screenings on the history, culture, arts, economy, and political life of Senegal.
Program Dates: January 3 - 23, 2027*
Program Objectives
This seminar is designed to advance participants’ academic knowledge, global perspective, and professional practice through sustained study and direct engagement in Senegal. The OFDS program will:
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Strengthen participants’ knowledge of Senegal and West Africa through expert-led study of the region’s history, politics, religion, literature, and contemporary social change.
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Provide firsthand exposure to Senegal’s cultural and historical landscapes through site visits to locations such as Dakar, Gorée Island, Saint-Louis, and other significant urban and regional communities.
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Foster meaningful engagement with Senegalese scholars, educators, artists, and community leaders to deepen understanding of local institutions, public life, and current priorities.
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Equip participants with new teaching resources, case studies, and comparative perspectives that can be integrated into courses, programs, and student learning.
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Encourage professional reflection and cross-cultural exchange that broadens global awareness and supports continued international collaboration.
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Support the creation and implementation of a project that translates the seminar experience into new courses, public programming, research collaborations, and/or professional practice that expands global perspectives for students.
Program Activities
The seminar combines academic engagement with cultural immersion through activities such as:
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Lectures, seminars, and roundtables with regional scholars and experts on the history, politics, religion, literature, and society of Senegal and West Africa.
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Visits to museums, universities, mosques, galleries, and heritage sites that provide direct engagement with local institutions and communities.
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Travel to multiple locations across Senegal, including Dakar, Gorée Island, Saint-Louis, Toubacouta, and Saly, highlighting regional diversity.
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Experiential activities such as guided tours, cultural performances, wrestling events, ferry crossings, and mangrove excursions.
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Discussions with educators, artists, community leaders, NGO representatives, and diaspora residents.
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Film screenings and conversations on literature, music, youth culture, and the arts.
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Structured reflection sessions that connect field experiences to teaching and professional practice.
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Final participant presentations that translate seminar learning into curriculum and institutional impact.
Participant Eligibility
The program is open to full-time or part-time faculty and administrators at accredited US colleges and universities. Applications are accepted from faculty and administrators in all fields, at all academic ranks, and from any academic or administrative department.
Faculty and administrators from community colleges are encouraged to apply.
Applicants must be U.S. citizens at the time of application and must hold a valid, current U.S. passport that does not expire within six months of the last date of the program.
Previous Overseas Faculty Development Seminar awardees are asked to observe a one-year waiting period before applying for another program. For example, a participant in January 2025 would be eligible to apply again in January 2026 for participation in Summer 2026.
For questions about eligibility, applicants may contact CAORC staff at fellowships@caorc.org.
Outcomes and Impact
As a core outcome of the Overseas Faculty Development Seminar program, participants are asked to develop and implement a project at their home institution following completion of the seminar. Projects may include curriculum development, new or revised courses, public lectures, research collaborations, educational outreach, events, or other initiatives that expand global understanding among students and campus communities.
Projects should typically be implemented within one year of participation. Participants will be asked to submit documentation, curricular materials, or a brief report describing how their experience informed teaching, research, or institutional internationalization efforts.
Application Process
Applications are submitted through CAORC’s online application portal.
The application includes:
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Responses to short essay questions outlining professional goals and anticipated impact
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A current CV or résumé
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A letter of institutional support from a department chair, dean, or academic supervisor
Essay questions are limited to a 250-word response. Applicants may save drafts and return to their application prior to submission.
CV or résumé is limited to 2 pages.
Recommendation letters should be submitted on institutional letterhead and address the applicant’s professional engagement, institutional impact, collegiality, and potential to translate the overseas experience into curriculum development or broader educational benefit. Letters may be provided by any supervisor or colleague at the applicant’s current institution.
For questions about the application process or program, applicants may contact CAORC fellowship staff at fellowships@caorc.org.
Program Support, Logistics & Fees
The Overseas Faculty Development Seminar program is supported by the Educational and Cultural Affairs Bureau of the U.S. Department of State. Selected applicants will receive an award that includes comprehensive logistical and academic support, including:
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International airfare
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In-country transportation and program logistics
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Accommodations in culturally significant locations
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Selected meals and culinary experiences
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Entrance fees, guided visits, and workshop materials
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Academic lectures, presentations, and guided tours
The program fee does not include:
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Domestic transportation to and from the participant’s home airport
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Extra luggage or baggage fees
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Costs for required or recommended vaccinations
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Passport and visa fees
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Personal expenses such as laundry, medications, and incidental purchases
Selected awardees will receive a handbook outlining additional award details. Any expense not specifically identified as included in the award should be assumed to be the participant’s responsibility.
Meet the Senegal Seminar Team
Cinder Cooper Barnes
Professor, Montgomery College
*All CAORC programs are subject to postponement or cancellation based on funding and in-country conditions. Program dates are subject to change.