International Education Campaign at Columbus State University

INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION

Dear Friends, Columbus State University’s Center for International Education is the key to implementing comprehensive internationalization of our campus and creating globally educated graduates. We all know people in Columbus and across the United States are who are globally engaged to varying degrees. We seek to empower all our graduates to serve local and national businesses and communities, as well as those located outside the borders of the United States.

Through our strategy of comprehensive internationalization, CSU is committed to a thorough, multi-level and integrated internationalization of student learning. We want to ensure each student gains global knowledge across their different classes, outside the classroom, and throughout their academic career.

Our plan is to provide vital and essential learning that enables each student to work with anyone and live anywhere. We have a tremendous opportunity to build upon CSU’s internationally recognized international programs to create globally educated graduates who have all of the options available to them, including working for internationally connected corporations housed in Columbus. We can empower our students to succeed in their business, professional, civic lives. In the process, we will ensure that Columbus State University develops its successful international programs and becomes a leader in education across Georgia and the nation.

It’s an exciting opportunity to join with us to make a difference and make Columbus State University a First Choice institution.

With Warm Regards, Neal R. McCrillis, Ph.D. Mildred Miller Fort Foundation Eminent Scholar Chair of International Education and Director

Transformative global learning for all CSU students Since our Center for International Education was established in 1997, Columbus State University has expanded all areas of international education and developed an integrated comprehensive strategy to ensure all CSU graduates are globally educated.

With a clear and internationally recognized strategy for success, our greatest challenge is resources for students and faculty.

Our success is recognized nationally and internationally by NAFSA: Association of International Educators, the world’s largest international education organization, which awarded Columbus State University the “Senator Paul Simon 2014 Award for Comprehensive Internationalization.” This is the highest recognition for a university in the area of international education and received by only three or four universities around the world each year.

Through our strategy of comprehensive internationalization, we are committed to a thorough, multi-level and integrated internationalization of student learning throughout all university academic departments. Our graduates must have the international knowledge and skills to work effectively with any person regardless of his or her cultural perspective and background. Moreover the globally competent graduate is a creative learner who works well in the constantly evolving global environment because he or she embraces cultural differences and possesses remarkable flexibility and adaptability. This is the CSU graduate we seek to create through our plan for comprehensive internationalization.

The key to our success at Columbus State University has been building a strong team and collaborating with other offices and departments on campus.

We have a Comprehensive Internationalization Plan that was incorporated into the current CSU strategic plan, which sets forth the university’s vision to become “a first choice institution for discerning students who seek challenging programs, engaged faculty, and a vibrant, globally connected campus culture.” Within the plan there are four major internationalization initiatives: expanding study abroad, increasing international student numbers and engagement, advancing the on-campus International Learning Community, and launching a successful interdisciplinary International Studies Certificate.

International Education at Columbus State University

Columbus State University is moving toward our ambitious but essential comprehensive internationalization goals. However, only with significant external investments will we be able to empower our students and faculty member’s full participation. We must succeed in order to create globally educated graduates for the international businesses and communities in Columbus and Georgia.

Our Campaign Vision: Columbus State University’s Center for International Education will lead the university’s drive to create globally educated graduates who are effective contributors to businesses and diverse communities—local, national and international.

Our funding priorities to accomplish our campaign vision are to invest in:

First Choice People • CSU in Oxford Visiting Student Scholarships – $4 million Columbus State University has had a unique, one-of-a-kind program in Oxford, England, for more than a decade. Our brightest students—regardless of their background and income level—have access to the best and most individualized education available in the world, the University of Oxford and its world renowned tutorial system. Since 2004, 50 CSU students have excelled in this most demanding educational environment and thrived as globally educated students who understand and appreciate the English heritage in America.

In order to preserve this unique program for our most worthy and hard-working students, CSU must establish a scholarship endowment that will defray the tuition charges in perpetuity.

• Study Abroad Student Scholarships – $3 million With the cost of study abroad averaging $4,000 per student, CSU students need support to participate in the transformative international learning experience of studying and living in another culture. Because this experience is most effective

when integrated into a degree program through the International Studies Certificate, the priority in awarding these scholarships will be for students already admitted to the International Studies Certificate.

• Faculty Internationalization Endowment – $1 million A key part of comprehensive internationalization is the internationalization of our faculty and the global learning they bring into the classroom every day. The Faculty Internationalization Fund will create opportunities for existing and future faculty members to develop their international knowledge and skills to engage our students in international learning in the classroom on campus and overseas.

In addition, visiting scholars bring unique perspectives and knowledge to our students. With the opening of the Visiting Scholar Apartments, we are well equipped to house our visiting scholars, but CSU needs additional resources to support a broader program of visiting and exchange scholars across all academic disciplines.

First Choice facilities • CSU Spencer House Expansion – $1.5 million As the CSU in Oxford Program moves into its second decade, CSU must ensure the long-term future of the house and the programs that use the space. Although the Spencer House structure itself is maintained through the rents collected from Visiting Students and short-term programs such as the CSU in Oxford Summer Program, the facility lacks two key features. First, the Spencer House has no classroom or presentation space for our orientation program and the short-term study programs. Second, there is no adequate space for a site director – an experienced faculty or staff member who guides and advises our study abroad students. By constructing a separate detached building or coach house, CSU will provide a small classroom and a faculty/staff site director’s apartment.

Summary of Campaign Priorities: • CSU in Oxford Visiting Student Scholarships Endowment . . . . . . . . . . $4 Million • International Studies Certificate and Study Abroad Student Scholarships Endowment . . . $3 Million • CSU Spencer House Expansion . . . . . . $1.5 Million • Faculty Internationalization Endowment . . . . $1 Million

$9.5 Million

International Education at Columbus State University

Creating a Globally-Engaged Columbus State University Our vision – and the university’s vision as set forth in our strategic plan – is to create a globally engaged campus. This is the only way to prepare our students to be globally education graduates who can succeed in our diverse community, contribute to today’s businesses or be comfortable anywhere in the world they may travel or work. To succeed, we must provide the tools for our faculty to create the rich global learning opportunities and the support for students to participate in the rich array of international programs on campus and around the world. Then our university, Columbus State University, will be a true first choice institution for students in Columbus and Georgia.

We hope you will join with us as we make our vision a reality.

Columbus State University Center for International Education 4225 University Ave Columbus, GA 31907 706-565-4036