The 15th Cohort of ACE’s Internationalization Laboratory met as a group for the last time Thursday to look ahead to the finish line, and prepare for a peer review visit after a year-and-a-half long process of campus internationalization. A new cycle will begin with the 2019-2021 Cohort, which will start accepting applications Jan. 7.
In the morning, representatives from the 11 participating institutions met in small groups with their ACE advisors to discuss questions such as what victories they accomplished, what they might have done differently, and how their goals changed throughout the Lab process.
Later, the groups divided by topic of interest, discussing research, student recruiting, community engagement, and other relevant themes. Advisor Gil Latz spoke to the group discussing dual and joint degree programs, saying, “you need a champion” on one or both sides of a partnership who will advocate for the program, communicate clearly, and have a vested interest in its success. He also recommended the ACE publication “Mapping International Joint and Dual Degrees: U.S. Program Profiles and Perspectives” to those interested in building such programs at their institutions.
On the topic of research, one participant described plans to create a database of faculty engaged in international research at their institution. Others agreed that such a resource could help recruit students interested in international subject areas and help faculty identify potential research collaborators.
Sarah Spreitzer, ACE director of government relations, gave attendees a federal policy update, answering questions regarding changing policies on student visas, the findings of the recent Open Doors report, and the role higher education plays in the nation’s immigration policies.
ACE Assistant Vice President of Leadership Sherri Hughes and Senior Vice President Philip Rogers spoke to Lab participants about other Council initiatives and how they relate to the Lab, including ACE’s upcoming Regional Summits, which will address student mental health.
For more information on how to apply and about the Lab process, contact Robin Matross Helms at rhelms@acenet.edu.