Strategic Initiatives
The University of Minnesota is on a journey to become one of the top three public research universities in the world. International programs will play an integral role in this "strategic positioning." Here are some ways that the Office of International Programs is involved in this planning:
Systemwide Academic Taskforce: Forging an International University
In September 2005, 34 task forces—made up of more than 300 faculty, staff, students, and friends of the University—began meeting to develop recommendations for how the University can attain its goal. Each task force was charged with developing recommendations across a wide range of key University objectives, including international programs.
Task Force Recommendations:
New OIP Administrative Structure
Meredith McQuaid was appointed Associate Vice President and Dean of International Programs in September 2007.
McQuaid provides system-wide administrative oversight of the Office of International Programs, International Student and Scholar Services, Learning Abroad Center, Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition, and the China Center. She also provides leadership to promote and support the global dimensions of teaching, research, and engagement across the University; create and expand global opportunities and programs; seek new opportunities for faculty and staff to work across disciplinary lines; and concentrate on learning outcomes that create globally competent graduates. The dean title was added to this position to facilitate greater collaboration across all colleges and campuses and to emphasize the importance of internationalization to all our academic endeavors.
International Scholarly Initiatives
As an outgrowth of the taskforce recommendations, a new initiative has been created within the Office of International Programs to increase international and interdisciplinary research and scholarship. Regents Professor Allen Isaacman has been appointed as Assistant Vice President for International Scholarship and will head this initiative. Prof. Isaacman also will continue to serve as professor of African History and director of the Interdisciplinary Center for the Study of Global Change. As assistant vice president, Prof. Isaacman will help support transnational interdisciplinary scholarly partnerships, coordinate an annual awards process for international scholarship and research and learning circles, support a series of visiting international fellows, and develop external funding possibilities for global studies. To date, this initiative has resulted in new funding opportunties to support international scholarly initiatives in 2007-08 and 2008-09.
International Working Group
As a follow-up to the work of the international taskforce, Dean Meredith McQuaid appointed an International Working Group (IWG) in 2007 to move from the taskforce recommendations to an action plan. Working with a committee of nine individuals with substantial international experience
from across campuses and disciplines, the IWG identified:
- international academic initiatives the University might pursue to focus efforts, inspire research, and generate positive energy at home and abroad;
- responsibilities the international programs office must assume to both strategically position ourselves as an international University and tactically coordinate and integrate our internationalization efforts; and
- risk and liability issues that must be addressed, or at least considered, as the University’s international engagement grows.
Working Group Report (January 2008):