On September 28, MESA researchers Dr. Asya Cooley and Dr. Skye Cooley joined Oklahoma State University faculty and students on the panel “OSU Mexico: Cowboy Stories of Community and Partnership,” hosted by the OSU Mexico Office. The panel brought together members of the OSU community who have partnered, taught or studied in Mexico to share how they engage with Mexican institutions and why the Mexico agenda matters. Fellow panelists included Dr. K. Aleks Schaefer, Director of the Master of International Agriculture Program; Dr. John Andrews, Teaching Assistant Professor in the Honors College; and Dr. Aditya Jayadas, Professor and Graduate Coordinator in the Department of Design and Merchandising. OSU Honors and Psychology senior Isabel Villalobos also spoke about her exchange year at Tec de Monterrey.

The Cooleys discussed the Media Literacy and Disinformation Training Seminar, a program funded by the US Embassy in Mexico City that built partnerships which continue today. They shared that MESA is currently working on a research project with Tec de Monterrey. They also described the School of Media and Strategic Communications’ work with UPAEP to build a dual degree master’s program and an accelerated master’s program, with a new cohort of graduate students from Mexico expected next fall. Dr. Skye Cooley reflected on his month at UPAEP Global Summer. Inspired in part by Dr. Andrews and his study abroad trips to Mexico City and Puebla, the Cooleys are now planning a faculty-led study abroad program to Mexico for Maymester 2028.