Campus task force to study internationalization

In mid-August, a task force of faculty and staff members will begin a yearlong process of assessing the university’s goals related to international education and developing a strategic plan.

Grand Valley is among a cohort of colleges and universities that has joined the American College on Education’s Internationalization Laboratory. Since it was established in 2003, nearly 60 institutions have participated in ACE labs.

Gayle R. Davis, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, said being in a cohort with other institutions will benefit Grand Valley as each cohort member interacts with each other and with ACE leadership to reconceive its vision for internationalization.

“We have developed our version of internationalizing the campus for some years now, and it seems time to engage ACE consultants to take a critical look at our progress and help us identify next steps for the university,” Davis said.

Others in the cohort are Becker (Mass.) College, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Merrimack (Mass.) College, University of Mississippi, Villanova (Penn.) University, Texas Christian University, University of Minnesota Duluth and Virginia Commonwealth University.

Mark Schaub, chief international officer for the Padnos International Center, serves as co-chair of the task force with Carol Sanchez, professor of management and director of international business programs for Seidman College of Business. Schaub said participation in the lab will “help us identify what we’re doing well in internationalization, within our university goals, and what our priorities should be.”

Sanchez said when the strategic plan is complete, it could lead to increased numbers of study abroad participants, and the international students and faculty members who visit Grand Valley.