​New Routes to Campus Internationalization

November 20, 2008

More than 100 presidents, provosts and guests participated in the 2008 Annual Meeting of the Leadership Network for International Education. The Nov. 20 meeting—which coincided with International Education Week—focused on how institutional leaders can develop new ways to engage a broad coalition of campus constituents in internationalization.

Sessions featured discussions on integrating internationalization into campus initiatives such as revising general education, including a special focus on internationalization in the regional accreditation process, or deepening partnerships to involve multiple departments and schools.

Highlights from the 2008 Meeting 

Mapping Internationalization on U.S. Campuses: What does the Research Tell Us about the State of Internationalization?
Madeleine Green, Vice President for International Initiatives, ACE

Access Madeleine Green's PowerPoint presentation here [(PDF) 527 KB]

A Presidential Vision for an Internationalized Institution
Michael McRobbie, President, Indiana University

Keynote speaker Michael McRobbie, president of Indiana University, framed the meeting by outlining how his institution has articulated and implemented a strategy for internationalization. “We must not be complacent about the meaning or purpose of internationalization,” he said expressing the urgency of communicating a global vision. His outlook for Indiana University includes increasing study abroad, especially for low-income and minority students, establishing new exchanges and intensifying existing strategic partnerships, strengthening international faculty research and exchanges, and connecting internationalization efforts to the local community.

Exemplary Alignment: Integrating Internationalization into Campus Initiatives
Accreditation and Assessment: Daniel Papp, President, Kennesaw State University
General Education Reform: Jerry Greiner, President, Arcadia University

Daniel Papp discussed how Kennesaw State used the SACS re-accreditation process as an opportunity to focus on global learning. He emphasized six priorities, including developing global learning outcomes, infusing international learning opportunities into the curriculum and co-curriculum, highlighting the dual objectives of diversity and global learning, and developing strategic partnerships abroad.

Jerry Greiner discussed Arcadia's process of fostering a global learning environment by integrating internationalization into all aspects of the curriculum and co-curriculum. Access President Greiner's PowerPoint presentation here [(PDF) 163 KB]

Robert Moulton described NMSU's strategic partnership with the Mexican State of Chihuahua, including institutional partnerships as well as cultural exchanges, student/faculty exchanges, and joint conferences and summits. The recent International and Intercultural Education Fair and Forum (IIEFF), co-sponsored by NMSU, the Chihuahua State government, and several other partners, attracted over 2,600 participants from over 50 nations. 

Charles Bantz outlined how IUPUI has developed a strategic partnership between Moi University (Kenya) and IUPUI, and highlighted how interconnected links between multiple parts of the universities and communities strengthen the partnership. Access Chancellor Bantz's PowerPoint presentation here [(PDF) 606 KB]

Words from the Wise: Sustaining Internationalization
Moderated by Marvalene Hughes, President, Dillard University
Robert Glidden, President Emeritus, Ohio University
Stephen Trachtenberg, President Emeritus, The George Washington University

The meeting concluded with a candid conversation from two retired university presidents. Stephen J. Trachtenberg and Robert Glidden discussed their accomplishments and challenges in promoting internationalization at their universities and advised presidents and chief academic officers about advancing internationalization on their campuses. Their recommendations included developing a culture of international education on campus and taking personal initiative as a leader to guide the institution’s internationalization effort.

Please direct questions about this page to: cige@acenet.edu