Professor Masvidal visits ICC from Cuba
This past February, Dr. Rita Ali ICC, Vice President of Diversity, International and Adult Education, traveled to Cuba with a group of other community college leaders. On their trip, they met Professor Mario Masvidal, University of Havana Semiotics PhD, a semiotics and communication theory professor at the University of the Arts in Havana, Cuba.
According to Dr. Ali, the community college leaders were captivated with how he spoke of Hemmingway and Cuban history. After their trip, the group arranged a trip for Masvidal to visit several Illinois Community Colleges in November. He spent the week of Nov 16-20 visiting five schools, spending one day at each. Professor Masvidal’s trip commenced at Carl Sandburg College and finished at at Black Hawk College.
Masvidal spent all day of Nov 17 on campus at ICC. He gave a talk over lunch in the Tranquility Room about religion in Cuba and the relationship between Cuba and the U.S. There was also a meet and greet for students and professors in the International Center at the East Peoria Campus. He answered questions for an hour and spent the remaining time visiting one-on-one with students and professors.
In the evening, Masvidal spoke at North Campus. He spoke mostly of life in Cuba for the average person, how island came to be, and the events leading the island to where it is currently. A large sum of time at both the lecture and the meet and greet was dedicated to the author Ernest Hemmingway and his impact on Cuba.
According to Masvidal, the majority of the population in Cuba is rather happy with the new steps in the country’s relationship with the U.S. and he hopes that these new progressions will bring a boost to the Cuban economy, encouraging the youth to stay in the country. He says that most young people leave Cuba before or after college in pursuit of better opportunities in other countries. It is hoped that these new ties with the U.S. and other countries will open more desireable opportunities in Cuba for the younger population, encouraging those in their twenties to stay in the country. The average age of the Cuban population is nearly 40 years old.
Professor Masvidal said he was “really happy to be here [in Illinois]” and after his tour of local community colleges, he spent time with his son in Oak Park, Chicago.