International Education Center - 2001-2002 Strategic Plan for International Education

Radford University has a strong commitment to ensuring that students have many opportunities to gain an international perspective that is an integral part of their educational experience. Among RU's expressions about the importance of international education in A Shared Commitment to Excellence are these statements:

Enhance programming to attract international and non-traditional students. Increase student exposure to international cultures. Increase communications with other cultures via technology, study abroad, international scholarships, and internships.

Capitalizing on a strong faculty and new facilities, Radford will enhance its programming in international education, expand opportunities for faculty and student exchange, and establish worldwide links through teleconferencing. Opportunities for students to study abroad will be expanded and the university will explore the demand for a graduate program in International Studies. Building on the strengths of the English Language Institute, the university will expand that program into a Language Institute that will provide services not only to incoming foreign students but to others needing language instruction for foreign travel or other reasons.

To move the University forward on the general goals and intentions expressed in A Shared Commitment to Excellence, the following Strategic Plan for International Education has been drafted and is being proposed for discussion, feedback, revision, and eventual adoption. The final Strategic Plan for International Education as approved by the President will serve as the blueprint for the construction of a fully developed, integrated, and coherent international education program. All members of the University community will have a role in building that program, which though largely residing in Academic Affairs must have the full and strongly collaborative support of Student Affairs, University Advancement, and Business Affairs.

The plan as currently drafted reflects the work of the International Education Leadership Team, chaired by Professor Chuck Hayes, and the Internationalizing the Curriculum and Educational Experiences of Students and Faculty Development Team, chaired by Professor Jim Lollar. The staff of the International Programs Office, the staff of the English Language Institute, the staff of the Admissions Office, the staff of the Alumni Office, members of the General Education Curriculum Advisory Committee, members of the International Studies Minor Committee, and others have been consulted during the writing of the draft.

The International Education Leadership Team will host a forum to encourage faculty, staff, and students to review and respond to the draft.

Goal	Objective	Strategic Plan for International Education	Responsibility	Implementation Schedule
I		CURRICULUM Infuse an international perspective throughout the curriculum including general education, study in minors, study in majors, and elective courses so that all students have an international component in their program of study.
I	1	Periodically review the International Studies Minor curriculum to make it a stronger complement to major courses of study and to make it more appealing to a diverse student population, dedicate reassigned time or a split position to the International Studies Minor.	International Studies Minor Committee College of Arts & Sciences Curriculum Committee Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences	Ongoing Begun Fall 1999
I	2	Increase advising efforts to educate more students about the value of completing the International Studies Minor as a way to strengthen their personal, social, and professional preparation to live and work in a global community	International Studies Minor Committee University Academic Advising Committee Undergraduate College Deans Department Chairpersons Faculty	Begun Fall 1999 Ongoing
I	3	Chairs of relevant minor committees review all other interdisciplinary studies minors to determine the extent to which they should be revised, consolidated, or eliminated in order to provide students, faculty, and advisors with a coherent, complementary set of minors that provides students to personal, social, and professional preparation to live and work in a global community.	Department and College Curriculum Committees Department Chairpersons Undergraduate College Deans	Begun Fall 1999 Completed revisions by December 1999 Ongoing
I	4	Review all academic majors to determine the efficacy of including an international component in the requirements	Department and College Curriculum Committees Department Chairpersons Undergraduate College Deans	Begun Spring 2000 Completed revisions by December 2000 Ongoing
I	5	Review all academic majors to determine the efficacy of a study-abroad experience.	Department and College Curriculum Committees Department Chairpersons Undergraduate College Deans	Begun Spring 2000 Completed revisions by December 2000 Ongoing
I	6	Provide appropriate sections of courses in the general education curriculum that serve the interests and the needs of the international student population - such as Sociology 110, English 101 and 102, and Speech 114 courses to address the transition and acculturation needs of international students	Department and College Curriculum Committees General Education Curriculum's Advising Chair Department Chairpersons Undergraduate College Deans	Begun 1998-99 AY Ongoing

II		FACULTY DEVELOPMENT Develop faculty enthusiasm, skills, and commitment for international education that will allow students to gain an international perspective through their programs of study.
II	1	Provide programs that help faculty understand the importance of an international perspective in the educational experiences of students.	The Faculty Development Center The Internationalizing the Curriculum and Educational Experiences of Students and Faculty Team International Programs Office	Begin in 1998-99 AY Ongoing each semester
II	2	Develop programs that involve faculty and students with international experiences and backgrounds as resources to enhance teaching and learning.	International Education Director in collaboration with the Faculty Development Center Director	Begin in 1998-99 AY Ongoing
II	3	Provide faculty development that facilitates infusing international perspectives in existing courses, in academic programs of study, and in new disciplinary and interdisciplinary courses.	International Education Director in collaboration with the Faculty Development Center Director	Begin in 1998-99 AY Ongoing
II	4	Provide faculty development that facilitates creating interest groups among faculty from different disciplines who share knowledge, scholarship, and interests focused on specific cultures and regions of the world.	International Education Director in collaboration with Faculty Development Center Director	Begin in 1998-99 AY Ongoing
II	5	Provide information and resources for faculty to prepare them for study and research abroad, and mentor faculty interested in securing Fulbright and other awards.	International Education Director in collaboration with the Faculty Development Center Director Sponsored Programs	Begin in 1998-99 AY Ongoing
II	6	Provide faculty development programs that demonstrate the use of innovative technology to infuse instruction and learning with an international perspective.	International Education Director in collaboration with the Faculty Development Center Director Multi-Media Center	Begin in 1998-99 AY Ongoing
II	7	Provide faculty development that creates international educational opportunities for faculty by sponsoring visits to Radford University by international scholars.	International Education Director in collaboration with the Faculty Development Center Director Sponsored Programs Academic Affairs	Begin in 1998-99 AY Ongoing
II	8	Facilitate opportunities for faculty study and travel abroad that can lead to the development and implementation of international perspectives in courses and/or curricular programs, or that can lead to the development and implementation of international exchange or study abroad programs for Radford University students.	International Education Director in collaboration with the Faculty Development Center Director College Deans Academic Affairs	Begin in 1998-99 AY Ongoing
II	9	Provide funds to support faculty study and travel abroad, including international exchanges, research conferences, seminars, and teaching abroad.	Faculty Professional and Instructional Development Grant Program (RUF) Academic Affairs RU Foundation	Begin in 1998-99 Ongoing

III		INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ENROLLMENT Increase international student enrollment in the undergraduate and graduate programs.
III	1	Encourage faculty, staff, and students to contribute ideas and effort to the international student recruitment efforts that the Admissions Office has begun in order to strengthen and extend those efforts.	International Education Director and the International Education Advisory Council Enrollment Management Committee Admissions Director Undergraduate College Deans and the Dean of the College of Graduate and Extended Education	Begin 1998-99 AY Ongoing
III	2	Work with RU Alumni Affairs to encourage and support RU international alumni to recruit students in their home countries.	Admissions International Education Director and the International Education Advisory Council Multicultural Affairs Enrollment Management Committee Alumni Affairs Director	Begin 1998-99 AY Ongoing
III	3	Take a proactive role in providing faculty members who go abroad with contacts and with materials so that they can recruit international students.	Admissions Director International Education Advisory Council Enrollment Management Committee Deans	Begin 1998-99 AY Ongoing
III	4	Distribute admissions material to select foreign embassies in this country.	Enrollment Management Committee Admissions Director	Begin 1998-99 AY Ongoing
III	5	Contact selected U.S. embassies abroad and supply them with print material and/or provide links to their web sites.	Admissions Director Enrollment Management Committee	Begin 1998-99 AY Ongoing
III	6	Develop recruitment brochures, web sites, and other materials that especially target international students and that draw attention to the strengths and aspects of Radford University that will strongly appeal to international students.	International Education Director International Education Advisory Council Enrollment Management Committee Admissions Director	Begin 1998-99 AY Ongoing
III	7	Send university representatives to "Study Abroad Fairs" held in other countries and participate in organized recruitment tours that are already in place.	Enrollment Management Admissions Director	Begin 1998-99 AY Ongoing
III	8	Target selected "American Schools" that are found in many international cities. These schools cater mainly to local students who desire an American-style education. Many of these students are actively seeking colleges in the U.S.	Enrollment Management Committee Admissions Director	Begin 1998-99 AY Ongoing
III	9	Work with established U.S. and foreign government supported overseas advising centers, private foundations, and companies to provide information about RU to prospective international students.	Enrollment Management Committee Admissions Director	Begin 1998-99 AY Ongoing
III	10	Provide a full array of student support services for international students and publicize the services that are available.	Director of Multicultural & International Student Services International Student Services Coordinator Immigrations Counselor International Education Director	Begin 1998-99 AY Ongoing
III	11	Provide and publicize many opportunities for international students to participate in the full life of the University community, to immerse themselves in cultural and social settings, and to share with American students their cultures, histories, and belief systems.	Director & Staff of Multicultural & International Student Services Director & Staff of International Education Center International Education Advisory Council	Begin 1998-99 AY Ongoing
III	12	Identify a member of the Admissions staff to serve as a specialist in the recruitment of international students.	Admissions Director	Begin 1998-99 AY Ongoing
III	13	Analyze the history of international student enrollment at RU as a means of developing strategies for recruiting international students to RU and increase the University's capacity to track and maintain records on international student enrollment.	Admissions Director International Education Advisory Council Enrollment Management Committee Director & Staff of Multicultural & International Student Services and International Education Center	1998-99 Ongoing
III	14	Increase funding for international student recruitment	Administration Admissions Director	Propose 2001-2002
III	15	By 2005, increase the annual enrollment of undergraduate and graduate international students to a combine 250 FTE students, with 175 undergraduate students and 75 graduate students. At least 75% of the international student enrollment will be non-immigrant international students.	Admissions Director Dean of the College of Graduate and Extended Education	Ongoing
III	16	Create scholarships designated for incoming international students.	Admissions Director Radford University Foundation	1999-2000 Ongoing

IV		CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAMMING Intensify the focus on and faculty and student participation in an annual co-curricular international education series that features speakers, performances, exhibits, and special events that center on a yearly theme, such as "A World of Change, Challenge, and Opportunity."
IV	1	Annually, RU shall implement series of speakers, events, and programs focused on an international theme proposed by a faculty group, such as RU's semester Cultures Festivals.		1999-2000 AY Ongoing
IV	2	Radford University faculty members and students who are engaged in scholarship and creative endeavors that have an international perspective are encouraged to conduct forums and presentations to share their work with others. For example: Students can present at the Undergraduate/Graduate Forum, while Faculty can contribute to Culture Festival lectures and International Week activities.	International Education Director and Committees that the Director develops.	1999-2000 AY Ongoing
IV	3	The annual series of speakers, events, and programs focused on an international them shall be coordinated with the planning of International Week to the extent feasible so that these can create synergy for one another. [The date of International Week is fixed by ISAC (International Student Affairs Council of SGA) in either the latter part of March or the beginning of April.]	International Education Director Multicultural & International Student Services	1999-2000 AY Ongoing
IV	4	Develop a special section of the Resource Guide produced by the Public Relations Office to present existing university international resources to the public. Encourage the Public Relations and International Education Office to work together to provide a resource guide to local (including Washington, D.C.) contacts for program information. Specifically this should list people and institutions that could help faculty or student groups create programming with an international flavor, e.g. the local Peace Corps Recruiter.	International Education Director and Committees that the Director develops. Multicultural & International Student Services Public Relations Office	1999-2000 AY Ongoing

V		INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION OFFICE Continue to develop a comprehensive International Education Center to ensure that it provides appropriate support for faculty, staff, and students in areas such as study abroad, student and faculty exchange programs, immigration counseling and services, the maintenance of print and other resources to support faculty and curricular development, and collaboration with the Office of Multicultural & International Student Services to provide academic and other complementary support for international students.
V	1	In the International Education Center, centralize support for all of international education to include curriculum development, faculty development, student and faculty exchange programs, study abroad and co-curricular programming	International Education Director and International Education Advisory Council Vice President for Academic Affairs Vice President for Student Affairs	Ongoing
V	2	Create a mission statement and extended description of the role and responsibilities of the International Education Office	International Education Director and International Education Advisory Council	Ongoing
V	3	Develop policies and procedures that govern all international programs including study abroad, student exchange programs, and faculty exchange programs.	International Education Director and International Education Advisory Council	Ongoing
V	4	Create stronger and more effective complementary relationships between all Academic Affairs and Student Affairs efforts to strengthen international education.	International Education Director and the International Education Advisory Council Vice President for Academic Affairs Vice President for Student Affairs International Student Services Coordinator	Ongoing

VI		BUSINESS ASSISTANCE CENTER INTERNATIONAL TRADE CENTER Continue to develop the Business Assistance Center and the International Trade Center to support economic development and the involvement area businesses in international commerce.
VI	1	Make full use of the Business Assistance Center to help start and grow Virginia's international trade and provide real-world learning opportunities for faculty and students	Director of the Business Assistance Center	1998-99 AY Ongoing
VI	2	The International Trade Center will provide resources areas businesses need to grow and thrive in the international marketplace, to include one-on-one consulting services, executive training programs in Western business practices and English proficiency, research assistance including extensive databases, hands-on workshops and seminars, and a mentoring program	Director of the Business Assistance Center Director of the International Trade Center	1998-99 AY Ongoing
VI	3	Provide mutually beneficial student international market planning and student consulting programs to give businesses confidential and professional management assistance that they could not otherwise afford.	Director of the Business Assistance Center	1998-99 AY Ongoing
VI	4	Increase international trade in Western Virginia through collecting and disseminating information, advising business owners and managers, providing training and education, facilitating regional trade initiatives, and assisting with the development of regional trade strategies.	Director of the Business Assistance Center Director of the International Trade Center	1998-99 AY Ongoing
VI	5	Serve as a center that uses state-of-the-art technology to provide faculty, students, and the community access to information and training from around the world; intensify communication with faculty and students to increase their participation in BAC and ITC events as appropriate.	Director of the Business Assistance Center Director of the International Trade Center	1998-99 AY

VII		FACULTY RECRUITMENT Encourage the recruitment, appointment, promotion, and tenure of faculty with international educational experiences and perspectives.
VII	1	Develop recruiting plans strategies to identify and attract qualified applicants who have international education perspectives and experiences.	Department Personnel Committees Department Chairpersons College Deans Vice President for Academic Affairs
VII	2	Develop criteria to recognize the unique nature of international experience for reappointment, promotion, and tenure.	Department Personnel Committees Department Chairpersons College Deans Vice President for Academic Affairs Faculty Senate

VIII		INCREASING VISIBILITY AND PUBLICITY Through publicity, increase the visibility of international programming and international education opportunities at Radford University.
VIII	1	Coordinate publicity of all international education programs and activities.	International Education Director and the International Education Advisory Council	Begun 1998-99 AY Ongoing
VIII	2	Target audiences and develop appropriate publications. For example, create an International Education newsletter that is published at least twice each semester to inform the University community about international education events and opportunities.	International Education Director and the International Education Advisory Council Public Information Office	Begun 1998-99 AY Ongoing
VIII	3	Develop feature stories and articles that highlight international scholarship and international study undertaken by Radford University faculty and students. For example, working with faculty and students, develop and place at least one story or article each month featuring international education with the RU Public Information Office for distribution and publication in newspapers and magazines.	International Education Director and the International Education Advisory Council Public Information Office	Begun 1998-99 AY Ongoing
VIII	4	Work with the RU Public Information Office to develop brochures, flyers, and other appropriate publicity for programming, speakers, events, exhibits, and performances that have an international focus.	International Education Director and the International Education Advisory Council Public Information Office	Begun 1998-99 AY Ongoing
VIII	5	Assist in the development of brochures and other informative materials that can be used by Admissions in the recruitment of international students.	International Education Director and the International Education Advisory Council Admissions Office	Begun 1998-99 AY Ongoing
VIII	6	Develop and maintain web sites that encompasses all international functions and activities on campus. For example, create and maintain web sites for the IEC, Culture Festivals, the International Studies minor and other minors with international perspectives; link these sites to others such as those for the Business Assistance Center, the International Trade Center, and the Faculty Development Center to disseminate information about international education.	International Education Director and the International Education Advisory Council	Begun 1998-99 AY Ongoing
VIII	7	Identify contact persons in departments and offices who will provide and disseminate information on international activities.	International Education Director and the International Education Advisory Council Department Chairpersons	Begun 1998-99 AY Ongoing
VIII	8	Sponsor internships for students with relevant majors or experience to work on publicity.	International Education Director and the International Education Advisory Council	Begun 1998-99 AY Ongoing

DRAFT of Strategic Plan for International Education