UNLV President Carol C. Harter was elected earlier this month to the board of directors of the Council on International Educational Exchange.

The council is a non-profit, nongovernmental organization dedicated to helping people gain understanding, acquire knowledge, and develop skills for living in a globally interdependent and culturally diverse world.

The council, which was founded in 1947, is one of the world's leading operators of international exchange programs and related services. It offers a wide variety of programs and and services for students and teachers at secondary through university levels and for related constituencies. Among the programs are work, teaching, and student exchanges as well as international voluntary service.

"I'm pleased to have been elected to the board of an organization devoted to promoting better understanding among the peoples of the world," Harter said. "In our shrinking global environment, it is becoming increasingly important that we understand the other person's culture and point of view. The council is committed to helping us do just that. We look forward to enhancing opportunities for UNLV faculty and students to gain international experience in a variety of venues, including those provided by the council."

The council is governed by an international board of directors elected by member academic institutions. Regional administrative offices are located in New York, Paris, and Tokyo, along with national offices in a number of other countries.