The Consortium for Educational Resources on Islamic Studies (CERIS) is a collaboration of academic, non-profit, and religious organizations in the tri-state area (Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.) CERIS facilitates program development and disseminates information on Islamic Studies to students, faculty, and the larger communities we serve. Islamic Studies encompasses many languages, literatures, and disciplines, and extends from the seventh century to the present and across broad geographical areas of the world.

Institutions can become CERIS members with an annual membership fee of $250.

The Consortium is committed to focusing attention on Islamic Studies rather than Islam or Middle East Studies. Islamic Studies extends from the seventh century to the present and across broad geographical areas of the world. It encompasses many languages, literature, and disciplines, including law, economics, music, and architecture. Members of the Consortium for Educational Resources on Islamic Studies are committed to capitalizing on the existing strengths and capabilities at their institutions, rather than duplicating competencies. Such an approach will benefit the region’s students, faculty, schools, and the communities they serve.

A long term goal is to develop a certificate program in Islamic Studies where students from participating schools could complete coursework at various institutions within the Consortium. The certificate would combine language acquisition, area studies expertise, and area and global studies research and methodological competencies, somewhat similar to the model established by the existing Area Studies and Global Studies certificate programs offered by the University Center for International Studies at the University of Pittsburgh.

Accomplishments

• Consists of numerous member institutions

• Significantly enhanced curriculum at CERIS member institutions and K-12 schools through curriculum development grants for faculty, book discussions and CERIS lead study tours abroad

• Hosted numerous Fulbright Scholars and awarded multiple Fulbright Hays Group Projects Abroad for Educators

• Initiated educational programming and provided resources to Upward Bound, Elderhostel, World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Ethnic Heritage Studies Program, Frick Art Museum, Andy Warhol Museum, Carnegie Library System, Bottleworks Ethnic Arts Gallery, intermediate units throughout the region, and to our member institutions

• Sponsored numerous guest speakers at CERIS member institutions

Since the formation of CERIS, representatives of member institutions have met on a regular basis and have adopted operational procedures to facilitate the smooth functioning and growth of this unique consortium.

• Received grants from Pittsburgh Foundation for Islamic calligraphy exhibit and NAFSA for Global Generation Y

• Collaborated on proposal development for CIES, FYPSE, Rockefeller Foundation, U.S. Department of Education, Social Science Research Center, American Library Association, CAIR –Pittsburgh Chapter and Three Rivers Community Foundation

• Disseminated countless announcements about funding, study abroad, and programming opportunities available to students, staff, faculty, and the community

• Developed a library assessment to encourage resource sharing among CERIS member institutions

• Established a website with extensive resources for secondary and tertiary educators, and for the public and a calendar with current listing of events taking place in the tri-state area.

Website: https://www.cerisnet.pitt.edu/