UNC Charlotte Grows Internationally
International students make up a large percentage of the student body at the University. There are many international classes and organizations in which students can take part. The classes include "Introduction to International Studies" as well as international classes that most departments of study offer. This means that most students can take international classes that relate to their chosen study. Because international knowledge is so important in our world, many students take advantage of opportunities to learn more about international topics. The Public Relations Practicum class is an example of how the university establishes international relationships and perspectives for students interested in diverse learning. These international programs and cross-cultural experiences allow students to learn about different cultures that relate to their chosen study.
A student studying International Law said, "I enjoy the guest speakers from different cultures that the campus brings in that support cultural opportunities."
UNCC also is known for hosting many exchange students from different countries. The exchange students attend the university for a semester or more. Many exchange students enjoy learning about how they are similar and different from American students. International students from different countries who take part in this exchange can understand American students' behavior, life and culture by studying with them in class and spending time with them outside of school.
Getting To Know An International Public Relations Professor
Dr. Alan Freitag teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in public relations and has held this position since August 1998. He teaches undergraduate courses including Fundamentals of Public Relations, Public Relations Writing, International Public Relations, Research Methods, Event Planning, and News Writing. Graduate courses that he teaches include Communication Campaign Management, International Public Relations and Media Relations. He also advises the University's chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America.
Dr. Freitag completed his Bachelor Studies (B.S.) at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh in 1973, his Masters (M.A) from Webster University in 1977 and his Doctoral Studies (PhD) at Ohio University in 1999. A U.S. Air Force veteran, Dr. Freitag retired in 1995 as a lieutenant colonel after more than 22 years of service. During that time, he spent nearly 10 years in Europe and two years in the US state of Hawaii. His work has been published in Journalism and Mass Communication Quarterly, Journal of Public Relations Research, Journal of Communication Management, Public Relations Quarterly, Newspaper Research Journal, Airman, and Asia-Pacific Defense Forum.
He has frequently presented papers and served on panels for the conventions of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, the Public Relations Society of America and the Southern States Communication Association. He is frequently the subject of print and broadcast media interviews because of his background in NATO and his knowledge of defense issues, crisis management and international public relations. Dr. Freitag has earned formal, professional accreditation in public relations practice through the Public Relations Society of America.
In an interview, Dr. Freitag shared why he decided to teach at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. "I had 20 years of public relations experience and a PhD, so I felt I was the 'prettiest one for the dance,' in terms of having the best experience for the job," Dr. Freitag said.
He had a set of criteria he wanted to be met before taking any position. The criteria he had set were based on his "wants" -- conditions that he wanted for a job. First, he wanted a place to build a "premier program" in international public relations. Second, he wanted to know that the students at the university worked hard and were hungry and eager to learn. Third, he wanted a good quality of life for his family. In his priority "wants," pay and other compensation were not a concern.
Dr. Freitag found that the University of North Carolina at Charlotte shared his vision and he felt that his "wants" would be met very well in the Charlotte area.
Since accepting the position as an International Public Relations professor at UNC Charlotte, Dr. Freitag said that International Public Relations is his favorite class to teach.
"I enjoy teaching this class because it is so important in our profession to have those cross-cultural skills," he said. Dr. Freitag advocates the importance of "encoding and decoding messages across borders" and his passion is shared with many students.
In the Public Relations class he teaches, he invites three recent alumni to address the students to talk about their accomplishments and experiences in their professional careers since leaving the University.
"It makes me proud to hear them come and speak to a class that they once took and now they are professionals," he said. "It is important that these young professionals can give back to the program by sharing their experiences."
Dr. Freitag also enjoys "watching young, able men and women acquire valuable skill sets and launch professional careers."
Dr. Freitag expresses that it is important for professors to prepare students for success and, in the long run, help "make a difference for generations to come."
Dr. Freitag is a valued addition to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and each student he advises and teaches receives an exceptional amount of advice and knowledge in the public relations field.