Memorandum of Understanding signed by UWO, Peruvian university leaders to expand collaboration

University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh leaders and a visiting delegation from Peru including Dr. Jorge Luis Cáceres Arce, rector of Universidad Católica de Santa María; Dr. Milna Marjorie Delgado, nursing faculty member; and Magister Yannina Melissa Peña, director of employability development; pause to recognize the significance of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two institutions regarding continued and expanded collaboration.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and the Peruvian Universidad Católica de Santa María Friday-about an hour after special gifts were presented to 10 University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh senior nursing students who had an international clinical experience in Peru.

A large class of senior nursing students were present as the 10 who took part in a 17-day January clinical experience abroad in Peru, were awarded special graduation stoles that feature the Peruvian flag.

The visiting delegation from Peru includes Dr. Jorge Luis Cáceres Arce, rector of Universidad Católica de Santa María, who will also serve as a special guest during UW-Oshkosh's Spring 2026 commencement ceremonies on May 16; Dr. Milna Marjorie Delgado, nursing faculty member; and Magister Yannina Melissa Peña, director of employability development.

Chancellor Manohar Singh and Dr. Cáceres awarded the stoles that the students will wear and adorn their graduation gowns on Saturday.

The students receiving special recognition stoles:

Brianna Horn, Raymond Howard, Talia Krause, Mia Nicole Lucero, Kiera MacFarlan, Emma Maly, Chassady Roberson, Anika Roush, Lucy Stalowski and Graci Willmarth.

In addition to Singh and the special delegates from Peru, Seon Yoon Chung, UWO dean of the College of Nursing, Health Professions and STEM, and several nursing professors spoke to the students as they are ready to embark on their next life's journey.

"This collaboration extends the established academic and professional partnership between the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and Universidad Católica de Santa María, which originated through joint initiatives in nursing education," said Dr. Maria Graf, UWO faculty member who leads clinical study abroad experiences. "Faculty, students, and administrators from both institutions have exchanged knowledge, educational methodologies, and clinical perspectives to advance cross-cultural nursing education."

Co-leader of the clinical study in Peru and nursing faculty member, Heidi Hansen, said, "Watching the graduating nursing students receive their study abroad stoles was a powerful and deeply moving moment. It honored not only a dedication to their education, but also a willingness to step beyond their familiar borders in pursuit of knowledge and connection in a global context."

Hansen added that the experience represented the meaningful connections that are formed when universities collaborate across countries, cultures and communities.

"In that shared space," Hansen said, "learning becomes a global endeavor, and growth extends beyond the students themselves to strengthen institutions through partnership, trust, and a shared commitment to advancing education."

Building international partnerships

Throughout the three-day visit, the delegation members met with university leaders, academic deans, nursing faculty and students, while participating in campus tours, commencement activities and the official Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing ceremony Friday afternoon.

The MOU agreement is intended to create a broad foundation for future international collaboration in areas such as academic exchange, faculty and student engagement, research collaboration, leadership and workforce-related initiatives. University officials emphasized that the partnership represents the beginning of a longer-term institutional relationship focused on global learning and cross-cultural engagement.

The collaboration builds on the existing relationship between UW-Oshkosh and Universidad Católica de Santa María through nursing and health professions education

Earlier this year, the 10 UW-Oshkosh nursing students participating in clinical study abroad, partnered with faculty and nursing students from Universidad Católica de Santa María during a 17-day study abroad experience in Peru focused on community health, cultural understanding and service-based learning in rural clinics and communities. The delegation is on hand to present nursing students with Peruvian graduation stoles.

Learn more:

UW-Oshkosh strengthens global ties through partnership with Peruvian university

Photos: Nursing clinical study abroad Peruvian stoles

Photos: UW-Oshkosh-Peruvian MOU signing

UW-Oshkosh nursing students advance community health, careers abroad