Members of the delegation –including UWG President Dr. Michael Johnson and First Lady Beth Johnson (center) – with Italian officials
The University of West Georgia joined leaders from the City of Carrollton and the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce on a weeklong mission to Italy, where the delegation worked to deepen relationships with the municipalities of Foligno and Spoleto while exploring new avenues for cultural, educational and economic collaboration.
Building on years of exchange and shared interest, the trip brought together civic, business and academic partners to advance a wide range of initiatives – from potential sister-city agreements and chamber-to-chamber cooperation to expanded study abroad pathways, special education partnerships, healthcare collaboration with the University of Perugia’s School of Nursing and discussions on urban renewal and 55+ community integration.
The group also met with industry leaders to explore business-to-business opportunities in technology, manufacturing, agribusiness and innovation, positioning UWG and West Georgia for deeper global engagement.
“Our delegation’s work in Italy reflects UWG’s commitment to creating opportunities that elevate student success and strengthen our region,” said Dr. Michael Johnson, who visited Italy for the first time in his tenure as UWG president. “By engaging with partners in Foligno, Spoleto and Perugia, we are expanding pathways for research and innovation, building new avenues for economic development and community engagement, and deepening our shared appreciation for the arts. Even our conversations around athletics remind us that collaboration and connection transcend borders. This trip is an investment in our students, our community and our future.”
Delegation member Rhyne Owenby, president and CEO of Carroll County Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber views its growing relationships with Foligno and Spoleto as powerful avenues for exchanging ideas, strengthening business connections and supporting both workforce and educational collaboration. During the visit, chamber leaders met with Federico Sisti of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and with Foligno Mayor Stefano Zuccarini to explore future opportunities in innovation, cultural exchange and community identity.
Together with UWG, Owenby said she sees significant potential to connect education, business and culture through international initiatives that prepare students, support local employers and deepen Carroll County’s global engagement.
“Relationships like those we are building in Foligno and Spoleto create valuable opportunities for Carroll County across business, education, workforce development and cultural exchange,” she explained. “By building these international relationships, we can create experiences that prepare students, support workforce development and strengthen our region’s global connections. We look forward to continuing to strengthen these partnerships and hope to welcome our Italian partners to Carroll County to experience our business community, family-owned businesses and shared commitment to sustainability.
Carrollton High School’s International Baccalaureate students were also along for the ride, immersing themselves in local schools, host families and the everyday life of Italian teens. Supported by the Carrollton City Schools Education Foundation and in partnership with UWG, the trip offered rising seniors a chance to connect their studies to real-world history, language and culture. From classroom exchanges to historic sites in Rome, students experienced learning far beyond textbooks.
Dr. Mark Albertus, superintendent of Carrollton City Schools, added that through partnerships with UWG study abroad programs, students are gifted with hands-on learning opportunities that enable them to grow in confidence and curiosity.
“As educators, it is our responsibility to prepare students for the real world, and this trip to Italy allowed our students to learn beyond the classroom,” Albertus shared. “They navigated a new culture along with different perspectives and languages. This experience will strengthen their leadership capabilities while giving them more confidence and helping them collaborate with others in the world, outside of what they know. When we bring the world into our schools – and send our students out to the world – we are in turn able to give our community fresh ideas, diverse perspectives and an innovative workforce that is competitive on a global scale.”
