2021 Virtual Global Showcase
Welcome to the 5th Annual (and 2nd virtual) GCI Global Showcase! This year's showcase features insightful work from our Global Competence Initiative Scholars. Follow the sequential tabs below to view their compelling presentations.
I. Introduction
II. Keynote Address
Preeti Gupta, OCHS '96
Preeti Gupta is the Head of Corporate Affairs for BMW Group Asia, based in Singapore. She is responsible for Corporate, Brand and Product Communication across the Importer Market region for both BMW and MINI brands, which includes the National Sales Company in Singapore and Importer Markets (Brunei, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Guam, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, New Caledonia Philippines, Sri Lanka, Tahiti, Vietnam). Prior to joining BMW Group Asia in April 2016, Preeti worked for public relation’s agencies in both the US and India for more than 15 years, working with MNCs and start-ups in the technology, automotive and lifestyle sectors. Preeti graduated from Oakland Catholic in 1996.
III. Presentations
The posters you will see tonight are only a summary of a larger research project these seniors worked on over the course of this school year. Most of these posters also include maps the students constructed from scratch using Tableau Public software. Each poster is also accompanied by a short audio clip that will provide some added explanation of the topic.
To view a presentation, click on a title/photo in the grid below then scroll down. You are encouraged to ask the students questions and leave comments about these wide-ranging subjects by clicking on the link at the bottom of this page. Note: The images may take a moment to load after clicking - thanks in advance for your patience!
Reminder & Tip:
- If you don't see the presentation you selected immediately, give it a few moments before re-clicking. Thanks in advance for your patience!
- For an enlarged version, click on the presentation, then click again on the pop up.
When:
Meets after the completion of classes and finals in June at Oakland Catholic on one day (from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.). If for some reason you cannot come on that particular day, please email the Director. If you fall ill the day of the seminar, please call the school office at (412-682-6633) and leave a message with either the secretary or on the machine.
Synopsis:
This one day seminar focuses on preparing for college applications and interviews as the student prepares to commence her senior year of high school. While the college application essay cannot be completed in this short seminar, the scholar will get a good start and feel better equipped to tackle the job on her own during the summer, avoiding undue stress at the start of her last year at Oakland Catholic. The morning of the seminar will be devoted to brainstorming ideas for essays, reviewing examples of strong essays and discussing pitfalls to avoid in the college essay process. In the afternoon the students will discuss tips and practice interviewing each other which will be useful in both college interviews as well as later on for prospective employment opportunities.
Supplies Needed:
- A list of the colleges to which you plan to apply (in order to bring this list, you must have initiated your college search, requested applications and begun to narrow your choices according to your preferences)
- Applications for any or all of the colleges where you’d like to apply- it does not matter that some are “reach” schools (The Common Application may be available; if not, bring last year’s application since the essay questions to not change much or at all from year to year. Some of your colleges may not have the application for next year available just yet. Make some calls, jump on line, talk to an admissions officer at the school of your choice and find out exactly when it will be available.)
- A file with any pertinent college application/process information that you have collected such as resume, list of awards, portfolio, etc. No file yet? CREATE ONE! (a binder will dividers or a folder with multiple pockets both work well for college application material)
- Something to write on (paper, laptop)
- Something to write with (pen, pencil, laptop)
- Your enthusiasm and cooperation!
Dress:
Dress is casual and comfortable. Shorts, T-shirts, and tennis shoes are perfectly acceptable
IV. Closing Remarks
Acknowledgements
First and foremost, thanks to Preeti Gupta for agreeing to deliver tonight’s keynote address! Alessandra and I would also like to thank Cindy McNulty, retired OC teacher and creator of the GCI program, for providing us with guidance throughout this challenging school year. We couldn’t have sustained the program without her. Similarly, our president, Mary Claire Kasunic, has been essential in promoting GCI’s work to the OC community. She provided Alessandra and me with invaluable advice and kept our work aligned with the school’s mission. We’re also grateful for the administration, Marisa Bragg and Nikki Powell, who supported us in scheduling and organizing events. Lastly, we’d like to thank our students, coworkers and the many community organizations who helped to support this program. By offering seminars, workshops, lectures, and more, the following helped to ensure that global competence remained a key aspect of an Oakland Catholic education in 2020-2021...
Our closest community partners continue to be:
- The National Consortium for Teaching About Asia: Brenda Jordan, Patrick Hughes, and Stephen Wludarski
- The Global Studies Center at the University of Pittsburgh: Veronica Dristas, Elaine Linn, and Maja Konitzer
- Asian Studies Center at the University of Pittsburgh: Lynn Kawaratani and Cathy Fratto
Additional Community Resources in 2021:
The World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh, The August Wilson Center, The Carnegie Libraries, Duquesne University, Carnegie Mellon University, University Center for International Studies at Pitt, The Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh, The Frick Museum, The Carnegie Museums, Center for Latin American Studies at Pitt: Film Series, Classroom Without Borders, and the many families who instill a curiosity about the world in their daughters.