KU student from Spring Hill attends women's leadership conference in Dubai

Related Media

Tara Truitt, left, met women from around the world during the Insight Dubai conference.

LAWRENCE, KS (04/19/2012)(readMedia)-- University of Kansas senior Tara Truitt is the first recipient of a new award sponsored by the Center for Service Learning to recognize student dedication to engaged scholarship. Through the award, Truitt was able to attend Insight Dubai, a five-day interactive conference hosted by Dubai Women's College that brings together 60 women from across the world to strengthen global awareness, intercultural connectedness and women's leadership skills.

Truitt, of Spring Hill, is majoring in environmental design with a minor in leadership studies. She is the daughter of Rick and Rhonda Truitt and a graduate of Spring Hill High School.

The Insight Dubai conference, March 18-22, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, included topics such as Islamic law, Arabic governance systems, human trafficking and women leading change. Through small group sessions, guest speakers and field trips participants were able to engage in new cultural experiences and develop their understanding of the world. To ensure a process of mutual exchange, participants were paired with a Dubai Women's College student for the five-day conference.

The only student from the Midwest region of the United States to attend the conference, Truitt summarized the impact of the conference on her: "Every region of the world has a major negative stereotype associated with it, but we must learn the truth about each other through genuine interaction.... This is my challenge for every person – make a friendship that breaks all current boundaries in your world." Truitt said she is honored to receive the Civic Impact Award, and she plans to continue her civic engagement well into the future.

The Center for Service Learning promotes the interconnectedness of teaching, research, and service and supports the incorporation of service learning, a teaching method that integrates meaningful community service with curriculum, to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities.