PLATTSBURGH — Ask anyone in the know about Canadian studies, and Plattsburgh State is one of the top two places that come to mind, Dr. Christopher Kirkey says.

Since his arrival at Plattsburgh State in 2002, Kirkey has helped the Canadian Studies Center and the Institute on Quebec Studies become among the premier programs in the nation.

"People constantly tell us we have the best program in the United States," said Kirkey, director of the Center for the Study of Canada and the Institute on Quebec Studies.

"I think Plattsburgh State derives enormous visibility from this program."

RARE OFFERINGS
Between 50 and 60 campuses in the United States offer some sort of Canadian studies programs, though they largely entail minors or certificate paths.

Plattsburgh State is among two consortiums: In the east, Plattsburgh State and the University of Maine, and in the west, the University of Washington and Western Washington University.

These institutions offer Canadian studies majors and minors, though Plattsburgh State is the only university in the United States with an Institute on Quebec Studies.

The institute, launched in February 2004, offers Quebec-focused curricular, research and program initiatives, with specific offerings, such as the distinguished Quebec address, scholar-in-residence, speaker series, annual festival, a summer seminar and conferences.

In 2007, Plattsburgh State became the first college or university in the United States to offer a Quebec studies minor.

"I work closely with all consulates across the United States, and they know about us," Kirkey said.

CENTER FOR CANADA
The Center for the Study of Canada, on the other hand, is much older. Established in 1975, it is among the oldest undergraduate programs in the nation for that field of study. It is dedicated to "promoting and providing comprehensive scholarly professional development programs on Canada to academic, government and business constituents in the United States."

"Graduates from our program go on to graduate school or into government and private business typically," Kirkey said.

CONNECT
In 2003, the Center for the Study of Canada teamed with the University of Vermont to offer CONNECT to promote growth, development and institutionalization of Canadian studies throughout the nation's higher-education community.

"There was a great concern in the U.S. that people who were studying Canada were all 60-plus and would be retiring and their schools would not be replacing them," Kirkey said. "So we came up with CONNECT."

The Fulbright-SUNY Plattsburgh Visiting Research Chair in Canadian Studies was founded in September 2004 and is open to scholars from Canadian institutions. The chosen individual spends a semester at the center, conducting research related to Canadian studies.

In October 2005, the center established the Scholar-in-Residence Program for emerging and prominent scholars. Those individuals take up residence at the center for one week to one semester.

"We also have a paid scholarship program that has expanded and paid internship possibilities," Kirkey said.

TEACHER INSTITUTE
Next summer, the center will sponsor a K-12 institute for teachers nationwide, though particularly from northern New York.

"The idea is looking at Champlain and developmentally what has occurred," Kirkey said.

"Teachers will go back and use this in their classrooms."

Other plans include teacher-training workshops, hosting guest speakers and partnering with New York State Cultural Archives in June for a history conference that will be held in Plattsburgh.

"We've got a lot on tap," Kirkey said.

E-mail Stephen Bartlett at: sbartlett@pressrepublican.com