The University of Southern Indiana has established a partnership with Chengdu Sport University in Chengdu, Sichuan Province of China, for students studying sport economics and management at the School of Economics and Managements at the University. The partnership, which marks the first time USI has offered an international program in the area of sport management, introduces high-quality educational resources to undergraduate Chengdu students and aims to cultivate a strong international vision and competitiveness in the field of sport management.

Dr. Emilija Zlatkovska, Executive Director of USI’s International Programs, says 93 students are currently enrolled in the program. The partnership celebrated a formal kickoff meeting in April 2022 with leaders from both USI and Chengdu Sport University in attendance.

“This partnership is the first of its kind internationally for USI, and I can’t wait to see how it will develop and grow in the future,” Zlatkovska says. “I always say when we can’t have many students travel to all the different countries in the world, we can bring a little bit of the world to USI and Evansville. Hosting our future Chinese students here will certainly reinforce the University’s mission of global impact and visibility, and it will help diversify our campus. We are excited to welcome Chengdu students to USI.”

USI and Chengdu Sport University have jointly aligned curriculum to meet both institutions’ academic standards. The USI Sport Management Program is also accredited by the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA).

“All courses are designed to meet standards set forth by COSMA and provide students with a clear and successful path to degree completion. Instruction will focus on theory and applied knowledge,” says Dr. Renee Frimming, Chair and Professor of Kinesiology and Sport. “As a department, we are proud to have a program that appeals to international students, and we are excited to collaborate with an innovative and internationally recognized institution.”

Utilizing a 3+1 Campus Model, the partnership allows Chengdu students to complete their first three years of study at Chengdu Sport University and their fourth year at USI. Prior to coming to USI, Chengdu students will be required to complete an additional 100 hours of English training to facilitate cultural adaptation when they arrive at USI. All courses at USI will be taught in English. At the conclusion of their fourth year, Chengdu students will receive undergraduate degrees from both USI and Chengdu Sport University.

In addition to the 3+1 Campus Model, arrangements are being finalized to implement a 2+2 Campus Model where Chengdu students will complete their first two years of study at Chengdu Sport University and their final two years at USI.

Founded in 1942, Chengdu Sport University (CDSU) is the sports college with the longest history in China. CDSU has become a nationally renowned and distinctive sports college, taking the opportunity of the construction of a national central city in Chengdu to contribute to the building of a famous international competition city, a regional sports industry hub and a world-class sports rehabilitation center. 

INDIANAPOLIS (Jan. 12, 2023) – Indiana Grown worked with the Purdue University Department of Agricultural Economics to determine the economic impact and growth of the Indiana Grown program through a collaborative, science-driven approach. The study showed that every dollar spent via Indiana Grown activities resulted in $0.97 in additional economic activity within Indiana.

“The economic impact study conducted by Purdue shows how valuable Indiana Grown is to the state,” said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, who also serves as Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “I am grateful to show our Indiana Grown members that their hard work and dedication to the program is paying off.”

Consumer survey results showed that over 33% of Hoosiers have awareness and perceptions of the Indiana Grown program and label. For Indiana Grown members, the survey found that the value of the program to their business is equivalent to approximately $13,600.

“This data is crucial for us to grow the program and address the needs of both our Indiana Grown members and consumers,” said Caroline Patrick, director of Indiana Grown. “I am excited to use this study to propel the program forward and look forward to many years of continued economic growth for local products and businesses.”

To determine this data the Purdue team distributed a state-wide questionnaire to Hoosiers to detect consumer awareness, quantified consumer willingness to pay for locally made or grown products, and surveyed Indiana Grown members to determine the drivers and benefits of being a member of the program.

For the economic contributions of the Indiana Grown program, the data showed that the total economic footprint of the Indiana Grown program was $13.91 million as of 2020.

“This project was a great example of the partnership between ISDA, Purdue’s Department of Agricultural Economics, and Purdue Extension Community Development,” said Dr. Michael Wilcox, Community and Regional Economics specialist with the Department of Agricultural Economics for Purdue University. “We set out to explore the impact and potential of Indiana Grown from the perspective of consumers, producers (the Indiana Grown members), and the Indiana economy in a rigorous and defensible way. This unique study helps ISDA and Indiana Grown make data-driven decisions about how to continue best supporting Indiana agricultural product branding, and local agri-entrepreneurs that provide value-added agricultural products to consumers in Indiana and beyond.”

For Indiana Grown producers, the survey found that members are satisfied with their membership and would recommend the program to others. Additionally, member respondents enjoyed the promotional and marketing events and would like to see more events in 2023. According to the data, most Indiana Grown members joined the program in 2018, particularly in the proteins, livestock, horticulture, grains and oil operations. Likewise, 2020 was the year with the second-highest number of producers enrolled in Indiana Grown, those categories of new members were horticulture, grains, oils, proteins, livestock, wholesale and retail.

“As an Indiana Grown member, the data collected in the study is so valuable in knowing that this program truly enhances my business and sales,” said Rachel Boyer, owner of Rachel’s Taste of Indiana in Converse. “I love encouraging consumers to shop local and I am passionate about the Indiana Grown program. I was thrilled to see this study come to life and see that what we thought all along, that consumers enjoy shopping local, really is true.”