Two WSSU professors earn competitive global grant to Morocco to develop program for students
Two Winston-Salem State University faculty members – Dr. Keisha Rogers, professor of rehabilitation counseling, and Dr. Eric Greaux, associate professor of religion – have been awarded the highly competitive MOBT Global Engagement Grant. Their selection, as two of only three faculty members nationwide, has earned them a rare opportunity to travel to Morocco to develop immersive academic programs for WSSU students.
The MOBT Global Engagement Grant provides U.S. university faculty with a unique opportunity to explore Morocco’s rich culture and educational infrastructure. It serves as an excellent springboard for faculty members interested in developing faculty-led programs in Morocco.
Louis Shannon, executive director of MOTB Global, expressed excitement for the programs proposed by Rogers and Greaux, saying, “We normally don’t choose faculty from the same schools. These programs were just too good, and we made the decision to go with both.”
Rogers’ proposed program will provide rehabilitation, social work and other students in the helping professions with a cross-cultural understanding of how disability is perceived, addressed within families and the community, and treated within the healthcare and social support systems.
“Morocco presents a unique case study due to its diverse cultural influences, evolving policies on disability rights, and the intersection of traditional and modern approaches to disability inclusion,” Rogers said. “By immersing students in Moroccan society, we seek to deepen their awareness of global disability issues and compare them with practices in their home country.”
Greaux’s research focuses on guiding students in their learning of how Islam is practiced in Morocco. The practice of any religion can look very different depending on its geographical and political contexts.
“Since most of my students have never spent time outside the United States, this will be a wonderful opportunity to learn about the history, culture, geography, foods and religious practices of Muslims in a country with which they would not have been familiar,” he said.
Regarding the two programs, Shannon said, “We also don’t see a lot of programs that deal with disability or rehabilitation. [Disability] is not nearly talked about as much as it should be, especially in Morocco. We were also really intrigued to showcase how Morocco is a great place to do a unique religious studies program, especially since it hasn’t been done in Morocco before.”
One of the goals of MOBT Global is to give students from all walks of life an opportunity to travel and experience different cultures, Shannon said. “We try to pick universities from different parts of the country to give students who may not necessarily have an opportunity a chance to go to Morocco.”
Since 2010, MOBT Global has helped thousands of travelers experience the amazing culture of Morocco. They have employed and worked with hundreds of local Moroccans and have supported community initiatives through donations, fair business practices, and faculty-led program community service activities.
Rogers and Greaux will travel to Morocco this summer, June 15-21. They hope to take students to Morocco during spring break 2026.
About MOBT GlobalMOBT Global, a U.S.-based organization, sprang from the success of Morocco Off the Beaten Track, the original organization that focused exclusively on Morocco experiences. Since 2010, it has helped thousands of travelers experience the amazing culture of Morocco and established itself as a top operator in the country. It has employed and worked with hundreds of local Moroccans and have supported several community initiatives through donations, fair business practices, and faculty-led program community service activities. Through tours and programs, MOBT Global has helped build lasting friendships that span cultural differences and provided locals and travelers the opportunity to appreciate and understand their identities. In 2021, the organization gathered all of its experience to create the MOBT philosophy and began expanding to other countries and locations globally to apply this model. With this expansion, the name was changed to MOBT Global.
