What are we MIISsing? Language Education in the U.S.

Prompted by the recent announcement that the Middlebury Institute of International Studies (MIIS) will phase out several of its flagship language and translation programs, this session asks: What are we MIISsing? What does this moment reveal about national priorities around multilingualism, and how might it reshape professional pathways for language specialists, educators, and localization professionals?

Together we will explore:

1) What MIIS’s program cuts suggest about the broader state of language education and professional training

2) Why language programs are disappearing from schools and universities, and what we lose when they do

3) How shrinking access to language learning could impact industries like localization, global marketing, diplomacy, and international business

4) The role the localization industry can play in sustaining the language talent pipeline

5) How we can inspire and support the next generation of language professionals in a tech-driven, AI-disrupted world.

Our speakers:

Jon Ritzdorf
Jon Ritzdorf has been working in localization since 2000 and began teaching as an adjunct university instructor in 2003. Over the years he has educated nearly a thousand students in translation technologies, website and software localization, as well as the business side of the translation industry. Ritzdorf regularly presents on localization topics at translation industry conferences and has also been interviewed and quoted by the Associated Press for his insight on the subject. When not teaching, he works at Procore Technologies, and has background experience in consulting on globalization strategies for companies ranging from the Fortune 100 to the latest start-ups. In 2012, he received an award in “Teaching Excellence” from New York University.

Winnie Heh

Associate Director of Career Advising and Employer Relations: Translation, Translation and Interpretation, Conference Interpretation (including Joint Degrees), Interpretation for Diplomats and Executives, Localization Project Management.

Senior Chinese-American executive fluent in both languages and cultures of the U.S. and Asia. Sixteen years of Board experience with Providence Equity Partners and ABRY Partners. Diverse operational and sales background working with public sector and Fortune 500 companies in the U.S. and overseas. U.S. and international M&A expertise. Strong track record in coaching and change management. Recognized thought leader and conference speaker in leadership development, cross cultural communication and innovation in the $40-Billion global language services industry.

Carrie Fischer

Carrie Fischer is the Globalization Services Manager at Subway, headquartered in Shelton, CT. She is responsible for all globalization-related strategies for the company. She has over 30 years of localization experience and has held previous localization positions at Bodybuilding.com, Hyperion/Oracle and Transparent Language. She serves on the Women in Localization Board as well as her neighborhood HOA. She is a mentor through Mentor Ease, Women in Localization’s mentorship platform. Carrie has a degree in French from Northern Illinois University, and currently lives in Boise, Idaho with her son, Christopher.

Moderated By: Kavikuil Sarojini

This event will be hosted by Women in Localization's Global Growth and Diversity Program.

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