Promising Practices
Institutional Models of Comprehensive Internationalization
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?
Last updated: April 27, 2005
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