The plan will continue to further Elon’s commitment to comprehensive internationalization, to ensure that all students graduate with the global perspectives, knowledge, cultural awareness, and humility needed to thrive in today’s world.
Elon University has adopted a new Global Strategic Plan designed to expand and deepen its national reputation as a leader in global education that includes being recognized as #1 in study abroad for 18 years by the Institute of International Education.
“This is an exciting time for global at Elon,” said Dean of Global Education Nick Gozik. “The university is perfectly positioned to expand on its role as a leader both in global education as well as in higher education more broadly.”
Work toward the new strategic plan began in earnest in spring 2021 when Gozik collaborated with the Office of the Provost to assemble a global strategic planning working group. Co-chaired by Gozik and Professor of Religious Studies Amy Allocco, the working group was comprised of 16 faculty and staff from across the university. In alignment with the university’s 10-year Boldly Elon strategic plan, the group was tasked with exploring four questions:
- What does global mean at Elon?
- What has already been accomplished?
- What opportunities exist to keep Elon at the forefront of global education?
- What structures, systems, and resources are needed to fulfill the desired goals?
During the 2021-22 academic year, the group engaged in a mixed-methods study including an inventory of existing internationalization efforts at Elon and a series of discussions including a Campus Conversation, individual interviews and group discussions. This work was carried out within the framework of the American Council on Education’s (ACE) framework of Comprehensive Internationalization. More than 300 people spanning all six of Elon’s major academic units contributed their ideas and energy with voices representing students (undergraduate and graduate), staff, faculty, administrators and alumni.
Following the writing of a 48-page listening report, the plan was drafted during the 2022-23 academic year, with additional input from key constituents on campus including senior administration.
The plan begins with a recognition of how much has already been accomplished in terms of global programming at Elon. Among the impactful achievements during recent decades are the development of a Global Neighborhood, a required Global Experience course in the Core Curriculum, degrees in international and global studies and international business, the Center for Research on Global Engagement, support services for various student identities, study away opportunities for athletic teams, robust experiential learning through Study USA, programming and services for international students and scholars from approximately 50 countries each year, and the introduction of a host of research and community-based learning opportunities.
The new strategic plan is organized into four themes: Deepen, Integrate, Support, and Expand. The first theme, “Deepen”, begins with a commitment to maintaining Elon’s successes in areas such as study away while also finding ways to enhance academic quality and rigor, intercultural learning and linguistic skill building.
The second theme, “Integrate,” maps current and future global programs and initiatives at Elon, showing connections and areas of collaboration between and within schools and units. It also involves helping students integrate their global learning throughout their time at Elon. “At Elon, global learning is not reduced to a singular experience, such as studying abroad in one term, but rather it is a four-year journey that involves a combination of coursework, experiential learning, and co-curricular activities,” Gozik said.
The third theme of “Support” continues with an understanding that any global plan needs to consider support structures, including for international students, staff and faculty. “The Global Strategic Plan helps align ISSS efforts with institutional resources to integrate knowledge and support from across the university,” said Kristen Aquilino, director of international student services. “The goals of the plan are rooted in cultivating holistic experiences for international community members.”
The fourth and final theme, “Expand,” extends Elon’s commitment to growth. It advances the objective of promoting student learning and development and finding new ways to develop and highlight Elon’s commitment to global education. The plan calls for the creation of a new Elon center abroad, the expansion of university partnerships and the development of strategies for aggregating and highlighting Elon’s identity and accomplishments around global.
“I would like to thank the team that led this project and the efforts they made to include the Elon community in their work,” said Rebecca Kohn, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “This plan points towards important directions as Elon advances and enhances its global initiatives.”
Gozik likewise expressed his gratitude for the efforts of the working group, as well as the contributions made by campus partners.