International programs names new director for study abroad program in Latin America

July 16, 2018 | Harding University’s Office of International Programs announced Jeremy Daggett as the new director of the Harding University in Latin America (HULA) international studies program.

Daggett first became involved with the University’s study abroad programs in 2000 when he was 12 years old, and his family led a group of students participating in the Harding University in Florence, Italy (HUF), program.

“That was my first memory with Harding’s International Programs, and I decided then that I would  attend HUF spring of my sophomore year [of college],” Daggett said. “I did indeed return in 2007 and loved the experience to get to do HUF as a student.”

Daggett joined the Harding University staff in 2009 working with both the Honors College and International Programs. He has also served as the field director for Harding in Zambia (HIZ) and faculty for HUF.

“I feel like I really started to get it at HIZ,” Daggett said. “It was an incredible learning experience as I was tasked to help open students’ eyes to new ways of viewing the world, even as I was just experiencing Zambia for the first time myself. It was at that point that I realized that International Programs are a unique ministry experience. With Harding’s study abroad, students get to experience other countries, cultures, histories, and languages as a community. That’s a powerful combination and leads to many questions, growth, and seeing God and the world with new eyes.”

Since 2014, Daggett has been serving as a missionary in Arequipa, Peru, where he ministers to small faith communities and works in health and education development with the Christian Urban Development Association, a nongovernment, nonprofit, faith-based organization working with vulnerable communities in Peru to overcome cycles of poverty.

As director of HULA, Daggett will oversee day-to-day operations of the program based in Viña del Mar, Chile, a seaside resort city located 70 miles northwest of Santiago. He will supervise faculty and students as classes are conducted and they explore the region. His wife, Katie, will work as adjunct faculty for the program.

“I am so excited to live, travel, and learn with future HULA students as together we open our eyes to what God is doing in the world,” Daggett said. “I believe what our world needs, and what Harding students need, is opportunities to see just how much we all have in common, all over the world. I want to play a small part of opening up HULA students’ eyes to what God is doing in the world as they live and travel in South America. And it’s because I believe that, at the end of the day, God is glorified when people from different countries, languages, cultures, and experiences learn from each other, worship together, and practice love of (global) neighbors.”

Daggett received a B.A. in Spanish and missions from Harding and a M.Div. from the Harding School of Theology.

Daggett, Katie and daughter, Adileen, will make the journey to Chile in February to prepare for the spring 2019 semester.

Harding’s study abroad program in Latin America began in 2004. The program includes study of the Spanish language and culture, Latin American history, and several extensive field trips to Santiago, Easter Island (the most remote landmass on earth), Argentina, Torres del Paine, the Atacama Desert region, the Amazon rainforest, Lake Titicaca (the highest navigable lake in the world), the Colca Canyon (one of the deepest canyons in the world), and the ancient Inca civilization of Machu Picchu, Peru.

Harding offers semester-long study abroad programs in Australasia, Latin America, England, Greece, France, Italy and Zambia as well as numerous short-term study abroad opportunities.

For more information about Harding’s international programs, visit www.harding.edu/international or call 501-279-4529.