ACE

Promising Practices

Spotlighting Excellence in Comprehensive Internationalization

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 •  Original Application and Background
 •  List of All Institutions
 •  Promising Practices publication

The Promising Practices program, funded by the Carnegie Corporation, spotlights the strategic and creative ways that eight institutions have comprehensively integrated international learning opportunities into their undergraduate curricula and co-curricula. The program selected eight institutions from a pool of 57 applicants to participate.

The participating colleges and universities worked with ACE to document their internationalization strategies and design a self-assessment instrument that other institutions can use to document and expand their international capacity.

Selected Institutions

  • Appalachian State University
  • Arcadia University
  • Binghamton University
  • Dickinson College
  • Indiana University, Bloomington
  • Kapi'olani Community College
  • Missouri Southern State College
  • Tidewater Community College

International Programming Spotlights

  • Fostering International Understanding and Empathy: IU's "Foster International Dormitory"
  • Jump-starting International Education: Grant-Funding at Tidewater Community College
  • Linking International Students within the Campus Community: Kapi’olani Community College’s International Café
  • Science Education Programs Abroad at Dickinson College
  • Whetting the Appetite for International Study: Arcadia University's London Preview

Related Documents

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Original Call for Applications and Program Background

Background

In an increasingly connected world in which political systems, economies, and modes of communication are shifting at an unprecedented pace, there is growing concern about the preparedness of our graduates to meet new challenges. In this context, the American Council on Education recently launched a major project focusing on the internationalization of undergraduate education. Part of that project, supported by the Carnegie Corporation of New York, is designed to identify promising practices for comprehensive internationalization of undergraduate programs. We want to identify those colleges and universities with a record of outstanding achievements in internationalization representing the broad range of types of institutions in the United States (and reflecting other aspects of our diversity and geographic distribution).

Eight colleges and universities were selected by a panel of experts to work with ACE to document strategies, innovations and good practices for enhancing internationalization.

The 18-month project will include the development of an institutional audit for internationalization that can be used by other colleges and universities. Each institution will conduct its own audit in order to test the instrument and help advance its own agenda for internationalization. The participants will meet twice during this period to share insights and experience and to develop and refine the audit process.

We expect this project to promote and contribute to the national dialogue on internationalization on U.S. campuses by building on the examples and experiences of institutions that have made measurable strides in this area. Initially, a summary of each applicant’s proposal will be posted on the ACE web site. More detailed profiles of each selected institution will be posted on the ACE web site along with examples of major achievements, best practices, and innovations for internationalization. We also expect to highlight these institutions in a companion publication.

Benefits to the Institution

Participation in the project will provide an opportunity to:

  • Contribute to a national effort to improve the quality and extent of internationalization in U.S. higher education.
  • Share in the development of an institutional self-audit on internationalization and benefit from a review of your institution’s programs.
  • Increase the visibility of the institution’s internationalization programs, which will be profiled and highlighted on the ACE web site and in other publications as examples of outstanding achievement.

Criteria for Selection Include

  • A history of significant achievements in the internationalization of the undergraduate experience.
  • A clear public commitment to internationalization as a major theme in the institutional agenda.
  • A range of international programs designed to provide coherent academic options for students in all areas of the institution.
  • Strong support from the president, chief academic officer, and other essential policy-makers on campus, including commitment of significant institutional funds and human resources to the internationalization process.
  • Recognition of the importance of international contributions of faculty reflected in institutional policies and practices.
  • Significant student participation in international programs and activities.
  • A commitment to designate a project team led by a senior administrator to work on the overall project and to carry out the internationalization self-audit.

Selection

Applications were reviewed by a panel of experts in the field of international education and by ACE staff. Eight colleges and universities were selected to participate in the project. Selection was by institutional type (e.g., community college, liberal arts, comprehensive, research). The list of applicants and summaries of their submissions will be highlighted on the ACE web site soon.

Funding

Project funding from the Carnegie Corporation of New York will cover the cost of transportation, lodging, and meals for two project members from each participating institution for two workshops. ACE staff and consultants will assist the institutions in the development of the self-audits and in preparation of institutional profiles. Participating institutions will cover the direct costs of the internationalization self-audits.

The Role of ACE

ACE will provide overall supervision and direction of the project. It will work with the participating institutions to develop the self-audit, organize participant workshops, conduct site visits, provide assistance and guidance to the participants as needed, update the project web site, and prepare and disseminate the final project report and publications.

Application Questions

Institutions were able to demonstrate a history of outstanding achievements in the internationalization of the undergraduate experience. Their approach to internationalization exhibited clear evidence of intentionality, innovation, sustainability, integration, and the commitment of significant resources by the institution (see criteria for selection). The application addressed the following questions:

  • What makes your undergraduate internationalization experience and program outstanding?
  • Discuss up to three aspects of your internationalization efforts about which you are particularly proud.
  • Describe the institutional strategies and activities that contribute to the comprehensive internationalization of your campus.
  • What are your goals for student learning regarding internationalization? In what ways are you achieving them? How do you assess your progress towards achieving these goals?
  • What do you hope to gain from participating in this project?
  • What concrete plans do you have to further your internationalization agenda in the near future?

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List of All Institutions

Community Colleges

  • College of Lake County
  • Crowder College
  • Harford Community College
  • Maricopa Community College District
  • North Shore Community College (MA)

Liberal Arts Colleges

  • Beloit College
  • Bryn Mawr College
  • Chatham College
  • Davidson College
  • Earlham College
  • Eckerd College
  • Furman University
  • Goshen College
  • Grinnell College
  • Juniata College
  • Kalamazoo College
  • Manchester College
  • Spalding University
  • The College of William and Mary
  • Wesleyan College

Comprehensive Institutions

  • California State University, Sacramento
  • Delaware State University
  • Elon College
  • Portland State University
  • San Diego State University
  • Shenandoah University
  • St. Mary's University
  • State University of New York at New Paltz
  • University of Evansville
  • University of Nebraska at Omaha
  • University of Northern Iowa
  • University of Southern Mississippi
  • University of Wisconsin—La Crosse
  • Webster University

Research/Doctoral Institutions

  • Duke University
  • Fordham University
  • George Mason University
  • George Washington University
  • Iowa State University
  • Michigan State University
  • New York University
  • Old Dominion University
  • Texas Christian University
  • University of Denver
  • University of Iowa
  • University of Oregon
  • University of South Florida

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For More Information, Contact
Christa Olson, Associate Director, International Initiatives
E-mail: christa_olson@ace.nche.edu
Download our information brochure (PDF) | Staff Contacts
This page last updated on: 08/29/2008