In the October term this year, we will host a unique urban immersion involving three U.S. cities in North Carolina: Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill, a first of its kind for BGU. Local community leaders and CCDA members recommended this approach when they noticed what we were trying to plan for the city of Raleigh alone. It was their perspective that the histories, current events, and contemporary problems faced in Raleigh are uniquely defined in each of the two neighboring cities and could provide students with different approaches to those problems based on the unique culture in each city. Located in less than 25 miles from each other, these three cities share a commonality that makes an interesting city classroom for our immersion.

North Carolina, nicknamed the Tarheel State because it was a major producer of tar, pitch, rosin, and turpentine, is also the birthplace of stock car racing and the place where Pepsi was invented. These three cities collectively own the State’s 12 research universities and the third-largest community college system in the country. Raleigh is home to the oldest Historically Black College and Universities (HBCUs) in the South, making it one of the most sought-after states for college-bound students from all over the world.

Popularly referred to as the “Research Triangle” because of the close proximity of three major research universities (Duke University in Durham; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; and North Carolina State University in Raleigh), and the large research park called the Research Triangle Park, located between the three anchor cities, and the reason for the name when the park was created in the 1950s. The area is also referred to as a “center for research and innovation” as it is also a hub for several technology and biotech companies such as IBM, LabCorp, and SAS Institute. Students will be exposed to a rich and diverse culture in each city, as well as the numerous blended community efforts that align so well with BGU 8 Transformational Leadership Perspectives. It promises to be 10 days of explosive discoveries across all major sectors that will result in authentic transformation.

The theme for the Triangle Cities Immersion is “A Tale of Three Cities: A Legacy that Won’t be Silenced”. During the Immersion, students will be exposed to the principles and practices of transformational leadership using the environment and culture of these three major cities located on the Southeast Coast of the United States: Raleigh, the State’s Capital known as the “vibrant cultural center of the Southeast”; Durham, home to Duke University and Hospital; and Chapel Hill, known as “A Southern Slice of Heaven” and home to America’s first state university.

The onsite dates for the immersion are from Friday, October 24th to Sunday, November 2nd. The Professors of Record are Drs. Godspower Ugboh and Paulette Jordan. They are working to put together an educational experience loaded with exploration, innovation, and transformation. Students can enroll for credit, as an Auditor, or just for Educational Experience. Immersions are open to students from all five BGU academic programs, as well as our Alumni and recent graduates who live in these cities. Come and join us and treat yourself to a one-of-a-kind spiritual journey as we use these cities as our laboratories for learning. It promises to be a unique learning experience, as unique as the cities we will explore together. Whether it is the Carolina State Fair or a college basketball game between rivals, this immersion will ignite your curiosity and help to answer questions about the problems in your own city. Transformation is the goal.

For more information, please reach out to Dr. Godspower (godspower.ugboh@bgu,edu) or Dr. Jordan (paulette.jordan@bgu.edu).