This is the final in a series of profiles of researchers who were awarded a 2024 Lasallian Research Grant or Lasallian Research Travel Grant by the Lasallian Region of North America (RELAN).
Dr. Alice Gravelle Vieira is a professor of international relations at Unilasalle Rio de Janeiro in the Brasil-Chile District of the Lasallian Region of Latin America (RELAL).
With her Lasallian Research Grant, Dr. Gravelle Vieira will analyze the internationalization of higher education in the United States based on findings between 2010 and 2020 from the six Lasallian higher education institutions in the United States: Christian Brothers University, La Salle University, Lewis University, Manhattan University, Saint Mary’s College of California and Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.
The main goal of her research is “to understand how the internationalization process can be an instrument for promoting quality education combined with social justice and inclusion,” Dr. Gravelle Vieira said.
She also plans to verify if the institutions’ internationalization practices converge with the Lasallian Core Principles: faith in the presence of God, respect for all people, inclusive community, quality education, and concern for the poor and social justice.
In the following Q&A, Dr. Gravelle Vieira answered a few questions from Christian Brothers Conference. Responses have been edited for length and clarity.
What inspired you to take on this project?
My inspiration for this project was my experience working with internationalization of higher education in the Lasallian network. Learning about how to improve these kinds of programs and understanding the ways to make international experiences accessible for more Lasallians were the subjects of my master’s and doctoral research.
During my doctoral studies, my research focused on La Salle higher education institutions in Latin America, which have a specific background of providing access to higher education and a model of internationalization. Now, the purpose is to understand the challenges of our American universities and delve deeper into the convergence of internationalization practices of higher ed institutions and the Lasallian Core Principles.
How do you see your research benefiting the wider Lasallian community?
The project is a way to move forward my mission as a Lasallian and to understand how the internationalization process can be an instrument for promoting quality education combined with social justice and inclusion.
I believe that the La Salle network, which is international in origin, has great potential to think of new forms of internationalization that include more Lasallians while boosting the institution’s international bias, promoting benefits for all.
How has the Lasallian mission influenced you as an educator/researcher?
I have a degree in International Relations from La Salle University in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and I started working at the institution as an intern in the international office in 2012. While still a student, I had the opportunity to participate in two International Association of La Salle Universities (IALU) Global Leadership Programs and to interact with Lasallian students from all over the world.
Over the 12 years in my role as head of international academic mobility, I had the opportunity to negotiate partnerships with other higher ed institutions, participate in the organization of IALU projects, travel to international conferences, and be a member of the International Council of Young Lasallians.
I am very grateful for the opportunities that the La Salle network has given me. Therefore, I would like to give back with my work and research efforts so that other young Lasallians can have international experiences like those I had.
How will your research enhance or connect to the Lasallian mission?
The research can enhance the Lasallian dimension in the internationalization process of the higher ed institutions analyzed. In the future, the same model can be used to analyze Lasallian universities in other Regions as a global effort to use internationalization as an instrument for promoting quality education combined with inclusion and social justice.
To learn more about Lasallian Research and Travel Grants, visit our Higher Education Support page.