2017 Brings Changes for CENET
In 2016, the CENET team gathered for a strategic planning session that focused on growth. At CENET, we believe cross-cultural experiences lead to a safer, more prosperous, and compassionate world; by broadening our reach, we hope to further enhance global knowledge, encourage cultural sensitivity, and ultimately inspire world peace. That’s right. We said it and we believe it: cultural exchanges are catalysts for world peace. (Source: CENET)
Despite clear intentions, the core question still remained: how? How do we accomplish our ultimate goals? How do we maintain a culture of continuous improvement? How do we grow in meaningful and effective ways? In crafting our strategic plan, the outcome was clear: intentional growth is initiated by intentional change.
After a year of intensive planning and implementation, CENET is excited to introduce many initiatives to help us better serve our local and global communities, as we endeavor to promote a safer, more prosperous, and compassionate world through international education and cultural exploration.
The first major change our stakeholders may notice is our new website. Not only will the internal system improve the processes for our participants and partners, but this change also signals a farewell to the clunky, tongue-twister, “culturalexchangenetwork.org”; we have happily adopted “cenet.org.” We have a strong suspicion no one will miss being on either side of the phone calls that involved spelling out our former name. “Yes, please email us at i-n-f-o at c-u-l-t-u-r-a-l-e-x-c-h-a-n-g-e-n-e-t-w-o-r-k-dot-o-r-g. Oh, you need me to repeat that? Certainly.” It feels good to drop 18 letters.
Other noteworthy changes include a revamped mission statement, expanded program offerings, and the addition of several new team members.
Lastly, one of the biggest transitions has been CENET’s move to a creative, new office space. Much like CENET, our new home at the Marquette Tech District honors its heritage and tradition in Cape Girardeau, while also embracing the future. A snapshot of the district’s history and vision may be found below:
Downtown is steeped in the history and development of Cape Girardeau. As the city grew in the early 20th Century, downtown was established as the economic center of the local community and region. Like many communities, the 1960s and 70s brought about commercial relocation to areas near major highways and large downtown buildings, became a challenge to keep occupied and maintained.
The Marquette Tech District is returning these treasured structures to their prominence as the epicenter of modern economic expansion.
The Marquette Tech District is the next big step in making downtown Cape Girardeau a great place to live, work, and play. This major historic renovation development project is anticipated to result in significant economic impact from the establishment of a technology district that will bring 200-300 talented, enterprising professionals and many more guests to live, work, and play, in downtown Cape Girardeau.
The epicenter of the Marquette Tech District is the iconic Marquette Tower. Anchored by an expansion of Codefi, the historic building will be renovated into tech-powered, modern office spaces for technology-based and innovative companies, and organizations that support them. The building is being wired with gigabit internet powered by a new fiber optic network that delivers the fastest speeds in the world to the new tech district.
– Courtesy of Marqutte Tech District (www.marquettetech.com)
The CENET team is excited work alongside a community of passionate, dedicated professionals at the Marquette Tech District. Photos of CENET’s new space are included in a gallery below.
CENET looks forward to an exciting year. We are honored to get to do what we do each day. Thank you to our participants and partners; you give our passion a purpose.
CENET strives to inspire a safer, more prosperous and compassionate world through international education and cultural exploration. For more news and updates about CENET, please visit our Facebook Page.