快猫app短视

Amy Potter, Ph.D., professor of geography in 快猫app短视鈥檚 College of Science and Mathematics, is the latest 快猫app短视 faculty member to serve as a Fulbright Specialist. Part of the broader Fulbright Program, the specialist designation supports short-term, project-based collaborations between U.S. scholars and international institutions.

Earlier this year, Potter traveled to the Northern Colombian city of Monteria as a Fulbright Specialist and contributed her expertise to 鈥淐olombia鈥揢.S. Dialogue on Global Water & Sustainability,鈥� a collaborative, online, international learning (COIL) experience 鈥� an educational model that connects faculty from international institutions to design courses around shared topics. 

It examines the effects of economic growth on environmental and cultural sustainability. The idea originated with Aura Garcia, a faculty member at Pontifical Bolivarian University鈥揗onter铆a (UPB鈥揗onter铆a). 

Garcia chose Potter as her collaborator after being impressed by her previous work in cultural sustainability.

鈥淚 wanted Amy after seeing her work in tourism and her efforts in Ireland trying to preserve the culture of the family farm,鈥� she said.

Culminating in a four-week class for Potter and Garcia鈥檚 students this fall, the COIL experience will focus on southeast Georgia and members of the Indigenous Zen煤 community, whose pre-Columbian roots are in and around present-day Monter铆a.

Potter spoke specifically about the reality in southeast Georgia, acknowledging .

鈥淒evelopment brings incredible opportunities, including much-needed jobs for a region like ours, but it also creates pressure, especially on our water resources,鈥� she explained. 鈥淭he key question is whether our water systems can sustain that growth over time.鈥�

Garcia painted a similar picture for the city of Monteria.

鈥淭he population has grown, and we鈥檝e seen increased revenue and improved infrastructure,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he Zen煤 people are definitely feeling pressure. They are still trying to figure out how their culture fits in this development.鈥�

Potter saw this firsthand when she visited the town of Tuch铆n. Located about 30 miles northeast of Monter铆a, the town has a predominant Zen煤 population. It serves as a production site for the sombrero vueltiao. The headwear, which has been made by Zen煤 artisans for centuries, is known for its vibrant color and intricate design.

鈥淚 had the opportunity to participate in a workshop with artisans who make this sombrero,鈥� she said. 鈥淚n 2004, it was designated a national symbol of Colombia.鈥�

Made from a native plant called ca帽a flecha, Potter said this beloved cultural symbol is under threat from 鈥渄ifferent kinds of water issues,鈥� including .

Despite these challenges, the community and its traditions are still enduring, according to Potter. She recalled her visit to the Association of Producers for the Rehabilitation of Agricultural Productivity as an example of this endurance. The agricultural group, located roughly 47 miles north of Monteria, replicates the canals and the ancient hydraulic systems created by the Zen煤 people. 

鈥淭he raised land protects the crops from floods and creates food security for Zen煤 families,鈥� she explained. 鈥淭hese tried-and-true ancestral practices are what鈥檚 creating resilience today.鈥� 

Reflecting on her time in Colombia, Potter noted how meaningful it is to learn from different cultures, perspectives and histories.

鈥淗aving the opportunity to interact with and learn from the Zen煤 people in this epicenter of Colombian culture was deeply moving,鈥� she said. 鈥淚鈥檓 also pretty excited about the viewpoint we鈥檙e going to bring.鈥�

Potter hopes the students will have a similar experience in the class later this year. 

鈥淭his will be a unique experience,鈥� Garcia added. 鈥淚t鈥檚 the first time we are offering collaborative classes with an American institution, and students are eager to learn how other places address water sustainability.鈥�