International Education

Academic Affairs Division

Internationalization

The American Council on Education (ACE) defines comprehensive internationalization as “a strategic and integrated approach to internationalization in which institutions articulate internationalization as an institutional goal (if not priority), develop an internationalization plan driven by sound analysis, and seek to bring together the usually disparate and often marginalized aspects of internationalization” (Olson, Green, & Hill, 2006).

INTERNATIONALIZATION AT THE USG

The ideals of internationalization held within the mission of the USG International Education office and the USG Strategic Plan are carried out by the International Education staff at each of our institutions. The International Education office encourages USG institutions to include international components or an international focus within all future strategic plans and provide resources for faculty participation in international education activities. According to the Report of International Activities 2014-2017, our International Education offices have made very strong strides with the assistance of the USG International Education office between 2016 and 2018.

In April 2016, only 44% of our institutions were addressing internationalization campus-wide:

  • USG Institutions with an Internationalization Plan = 9
  • USG Institutions with an international component within their Strategic Plan = 5

By January 2018, these numbers have grown significantly, demonstrating that over 80% of our institutions are focused on internationalization:

  • USG Institutions with an Internationalization Plan = 13
  • USG Institutions with an international component within their Strategic Plan = 8

HOW TO CREATE AN INTERNATIONALIZATION PLAN

In 2011, the System Council for International Education produced a template for creating an Internationalization or International Education Strategy. This template highlights ideas for implementation including a review of:

  • Campus Policies and Procedures
  • Study Abroad
  • International Students
  • Academic Programs and Programming
  • Faculty and Faculty Development

The full Campus Strategic Planning Template can be used by USG institutions to create their own Internationalization or International Education Strategy Plan. For an example, please see Columbus State University’s 2012 Internationalization Plan.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES