Dr. Jack Knipe To Present International Student Research At Conference

Limestone College Preceptor of English and Modern Languages Dr. John “Jack” Knipe will present his research based on the needs and retention of international students at the 63rd Annual Conference of the Comparative and International Education Society.

The conference is taking place in San Francisco April 14-18.

Knipe will be reporting on the preliminary findings of his research project “Acculturative stress and English Language Learning: Stories From ­A Southeastern Liberal Arts College.” His case study research adds to the growing body of research on study abroad and global experiences.

“Over the past several decades, the number of international students studying worldwide has been on the rise,” Knipe said “According to estimates, the number will surpass seven million by 2025. With an increase in the number of international students in higher education, in order to better service them it is important to understand their needs, expectations, and desires.

“There is a general trend toward internationalizing higher education,” Knipe added. “Rather than just looking outward for ways colleges and universities can improve their understanding of other cultures, institutions can take advantage of their already robust international student population. At Limestone, international students make up nearly 10 percent of the Day Campus population.”

The goal of Knipe’s research is to improve retention of international students so that entire campuses can have the opportunity to learn and grow in intercultural competence. Understanding acculturative stress, the psychological stressors that people feel when having to adapt to a new culture, and the struggles some of the English Learners have will better position institutions to support them. 

Limestone’s Division of Student Success appointed Knipe last year as the College’s International Student Liaison, in an effort to support the global student population and highlight the multiple diverse backgrounds and cultures on campus.

In that role, Knipe coordinates events on campus to promote intercultural awareness. He also serves as the advisor of the International Club on campus, advising worldwide students on issues relating to academics, cultural practices, and social events at Limestone.

The Comparative and International Education Society seeks to contribute to an understanding of education through encouragement and promotion of comparative education and related areas of inquiry and activity. It is the largest and oldest of 47 comparative and international education societies around the world.

Knipe received his Doctor of Philosophy degree in International Education and Linguistics from George Mason University. He also holds a Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults from the University of Cambridge, a Master of Arts degree in Spanish from Middlebury College, a Master of Education degree in Integrated Curriculum and Instruction from Covenant College, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish from Bob Jones University. He has studied on four continents and lived on five. His previous research in International Education has focused on Intercultural Communication/Intercultural Competence, Service Learning, Short Term International Study, and Study Abroad.