MANSFIELD, PA— A contingent of 11 Mansfield University employees, led by Political Science Professors Jeff Bosworth and Jonathan C. Rothermel, were part of a 16-person group that visited Belize over spring break earlier this month as a professional development opportunity.
The goal of the trip was to expose the Mansfield group to multiculturalism. Although homework or academic credit was not associated with the trip, the organizers took this goal very seriously.
“Belize is a smorgasbord of multiculturalism,” Rothermel said. “Jeff and I planned a trip that facilitated interactions between MU employees and a diverse range of Belizeans. It certainly helps that the primary language in Belize is English.”
Belize is a stable, multi-ethnic democracy located in Central America. Mestizos, Creoles, Garifuna, Mayans, and Mennonites – not to mention, a growing North American ex-pat community – make up the cultural fabric of Belize. Many of these ethnic groups originally fled to Belize as refugees.
During the weeklong trip, the MU group visited the Community Baboon Sanctuary in a Creole village. They spent an afternoon meeting with Mennonites in the Spanish Lookout community discussing their unique history and contributions to the country. 
The Mansfield contingent learned about the Mayan influence in Belize by exploring the ruins of Xunantunich, a once thriving Mayan community located just along the border with Guatemala, and later venturing deep into what was once a Mayan sacrificial cave (Actun Tunichil Muknal cave). They concluded the trip with a visit to one of the many beautiful cayes of Belize, Caye Caulker, which at one time was a sleepy, Mestizo fishing community that has since given way to tourism.
In addition, MU employees were invited to give a presentation, “Shared Lessons on Leadership,” at the Cayo Center for Employment Training to their employees as well as local teachers and principals. Later, MU employees discussed the challenges of developing future leaders in breakout sessions with their Belizean hosts.
MU employees also met with University of Belize officials in the capital city of Belmopan. The talks between the two universities resulted in an agreement to pursue further possible collaborations between the two institutions that share similar goals and challenges.
MU employees taking the trip to Belize were John Ulrich, interim dean of Arts and Sciences; Dia Carleton, executive director of Employee and Leadership Services; Nanci Werner-Burke, professor of Education; Mary Daly, associate professor of Social Work; Melinda Phillips, coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities; Billie Sue Morgan, Human Resources employment manager; Ashley Bedford, Admissions counselor; Shawn Howze, Admissions counselor and Elijah Morgan, director of Athletic Facilities and Aquatics.
Carleton who was instrumental in spearheading the effort to organize the trip. “What a fabulous culture immersion experience – it provided first-hand exposure to multiculturalism and its impact on economic and political development in a developing country,” she said.
This was Bosworth and Rothermel’s fourth time to Belize in as many years.
“Jon and I love the people of Belize, and each time we go back we discover something new,” Bosworth said.
They will return to Belize in early June with 14 Mansfield students as part of a six-credit course, PSC 3385 Field Research Abroad.
More pictures and information are available at the Belize Student Abroad program Facebook page at facebook.com/MUBelizeStudyAbroad