The International Education Center (IEC) was created to provide leadership for international education and support services for international activities at Fayetteville State University.  In accordance with the directives of the university Chancellor, Provost, and the Administration of UNC the system, the IEC serves both as a stimulus for academic internationalization and as an administrative umbrella for strengthening and integrating programs.  Its primary objectives include:

• promoting international understanding and experience through visit, study, instruction and service;

• establishing and facilitating links between Fayetteville State University and institutions of higher education in the USA  and abroad, as well as with community and private sector partners;

• fostering collaboration among self-supporting programs, area studies and academic units across campus on international matters;

• encouraging development of international and area study curriculum in order to prepare students for global careers, including jobs yet to be created;

• coordinating and overseeing three international units that report to IEC: International Exchange Program (IEP), Intensive English Teaching Program (IETP), and Joint Research Program (JRP).

These units can be introduced succinctly as follows:

• International Exchange Program (IEP) provides a variety of off-campus educational alternatives for FSU students.  This program also provides a variety of off-campus educational alternatives for international students leading to an FSU degree. 

• Intensive English Teaching Program (IETP) operates a variety of conversational English and American culture courses, in addition to Summer English Language Programs and programs which prepare international students for academic study at American colleges and universities.  This program also provides a variety of conversational English and American culture courses for overseas students and teachers, and establishes training and placement programs for people to teach English and other subjects in universities and secondary schools in foreign countries.

• Joint Research Program (JRP)

Staffing:  IEC is administered by the Assistant Vice Chancellor for International Education who reports to the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.  The Assistant Vice Chancellor for International Education meets regularly with directors of IEC units, both individually and collectively, in order to encourage sharing of information and joint program planning.  In addition to supervision and further development of these international programs, responsibilities of the Assistant Vice Chancellor for International Education encompass:  formulation and implementation of international strategies and projects; development of contacts and representation for the University at local, regional and international levels; review of international matters as requested by the Chancellor, Provost and Vice  Chancellor for Academic Affairs; grant development; budget and program management; and protocol and assistance for international visitors.  A Foreign Language Lab Director and an Office Assistant provide general support to Assistant Vice Chancellor for International Education.

Faculty participation occurs widely, including through inquiries, participation on committees and task forces, and joint-sponsorships of events and visiting scholars.  The International Education Advisory Committee, which is cross-college in composition and includes individuals intimately associated with international developments at FSU, assists with cross-campus planning to enhance internationalization.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

A variety of international program development, curriculum, and outreach activities have been initiated or strengthened by the International Education Center.  Fayetteville State University has had small numbers of exchange students and study abroad experiences throughout its history.  Those exchanges and studies have been with China, Japan, Germany, Mexico, England, Cameroon, and India.  There have been tours to several universities in China, India and Japan and delegations on tour to the FSU campus from China and Japan that resulted in memoranda of understanding for the development of exchange programs in the future.  The most recent FSU strategic plan includes a goal to establish student- and faculty-exchange programs.  To that end, faculty composed a Title III activity to provide support for efforts in the area of international education.  As a result of that grant and the allocation of state resources, the international education center that includes a foreign language laboratory and a resource room will be available for international students.  The center houses a director of foreign language laboratory and an administrative assistant available to assist students in resolving any individual questions or problems that might arise regarding university procedures and processes.  An Assistant Vice Chancellor for International Education will be the primary academic advisor and counselor for international students to provide guidance concerning which courses students should take and their living arrangements while in the Fayetteville area.

PROGRAM OUTLOOK

As we move into the new millennium, our nation is faced with the presence of unforeseen vulnerability and the recognition that, more than ever, there is a need for global interdependence.  Our knowledge of the international scene and global understanding of issues of the world must become indispensable goals of the educational foci of the university.  To meet these challenges, the following plans are warranted:

• continuing internationalization through broad curricular transformation, interdisciplinary faculty, and efficiencies and synergism of cooperation, including with consortia partners;

• cultivating a sense of shared ownership among faculty and across colleges and disciplines including through clear systems of faculty incentives; this includes strengthening the scope and permanence of the Global Education Fund so as to advance internationalization innovative collaborative, and sustainable ways;

• promoting global research and practical skills, including multilingual ability, on-line documentation, comparative analysis, advocacy skills;

• concentrating on ensuring the academic side of study abroad, including thorough consistent procedures for international internships, field courses, summer institutes, and institutional agreements;

• encouraging actual and potential multidisciplinary strengths relating to significant foci/thematic:

1. globalization and pluralism:  reflects simultaneous integrating and separating forces and the great overlap of international and multicultural concerns;

2. sustainable development:  builds on our expertise in addressing fundamental and universal environmental concerns;

3. human relations:  speaks to the significance of place and context, including cultures, communities, habitats, settlements, and dwellings;

4. the Pacific Rim:  complements our region significantly as a nexus of substantial and simultaneous movements of people, commodities, and information along both east-west and north-south axes.

The next 5-10 years are critical.  As the whole fabric of higher education changes, there is tremendous value in making international education central to our university's mission.