London Professor David Neita Discusses the Value of Study Abroad During U.S. Campus Lecture Series
Denison University, Lehigh University, Howard University, and Johns Hopkins University all partnered with IES Abroad to host a lecture on their respective campuses about the value of study abroad in order to connect with more academic departments and diverse students on campus.
Dave Neita, IES Abroad London Professor, visited all three campuses as part of a lecture series. Given his extensive background highlighted below, he was selected as an excellent fit to lead the series and speak with students and faculty.
Dave is highly regarded as a lawyer, published poet, lecturer, and international speaker specializing in cultural leadership. He is a commentator on race, politics, mental health, and the arts, as well as an advocate for human rights with an expertise in organizational development and mental health.
Dave has worked with the Zurich Corporation, Hartford Financial Services, and NASA and has delivered a sermon at St Paul's Cathedral in London on Redemption and Transformation. Dave continues to speak widely in churches in the UK and abroad, promoting a redemptive and inclusive message of bringing about harmony in community, and in March 2018 he delivered a Sermon at Oxford University. In February 2021, Dave was part of a discussion with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, alongside other community leaders, regarding racial equity issues related to the COVID-19 vaccine rollout in the UK.
During his lecture at Denison University, Dave spoke about healthcare, race, and mental health in the United Kingdom. He met with Spring 2023 and Spring 2024 HPP students, as well as hosted a roundtable discussion for the BLASS (Black, Latinx, Asian STEM student) group on campus. During that meeting, he spoke about study abroad, identity, campus culture, and representation in STEM.
Following his visit to Denison, Dave traveled to Lehigh University where he lectured on the same topic, met with Spring 2023 alumni students, 2024 HPP students, and the Director of Multicultural Student Affairs. Each of the lectures fostered connection, engaging discussion, and relevant topics, which prompted attendees to share their positive feedback.
Take it from Meghan Mason, Associate Director for Off-campus Study at Denison University:
“Denison was thrilled to host Dr. Neita on our campus to share about the IES London Health Practice & Policy program. His visit sparked conversations in classrooms about the challenges of health equity and gave faculty and staff deeper insight into the student experience while abroad. Most importantly, the visit opened doors for STEM students, many from backgrounds that have historically been underserved by international education, to see their knowledge reflected and embraced in the context of study abroad.”
Meghan Mason | Associate Director of Off-Campus Study at Denison University
Learn more about Dave Neitaand how he's a leader in the field, helping to implement diversity in study abroad.
Interested in having one of our Center Staff visit or present at your school? Reach out to study@iesabroad.org, or your representative.
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“Denison was thrilled to host Dr. Neita on our campus to share about the IES London Health Practice & Policy program. His visit sparked conversations in classrooms about the challenges of health equity and gave faculty and staff deeper insight into the student experience while abroad. Most importantly, the visit opened doors for STEM students, many from backgrounds that have historically been underserved by international education, to see their knowledge reflected and embraced in the context of study abroad.”Meghan Mason | Associate Director of Off-Campus Study at Denison University
