UNG part of internationalization lab cohort

September 11, 2019

The University of North Georgia (UNG) is one of 18 colleges and universities that make up the American Council on Education's (ACE) 17th Internationalization Laboratory cohort.

The lab will evaluate current systems, services and programs and suggest model practices from ACE to improve and expand international programs. While UNG has traditionally been strong in the area of education abroad, Sheila Schulte, associate vice president for international programs, looks forward to a deeper examination of all areas of internationalization including choosing partner organizations, ways to encourage faculty toward international programs and ways to reward those efforts, and recruitment of international students.

"We're deciding where we want to be in the next five to 10 years," Schulte said.

The 20-month process launched with Schulte and Dr. Steven Lloyd, interim associate provost, attending the cohort's first meeting Aug. 9 in Washington, D.C. Schulte and Lloyd are UNG's co-chairs for the lab.

A 14-person steering committee will lead UNG's efforts to deliver an internationalization plan aligned with UNG's new strategic plan, with the initial meetings on Sept. 13, Oct. 4, Nov. 1 and Dec. 6. Steering Committee members are:

Committee members will chair seven working groups that will delve deeply into articulated institutional commitment; education abroad; international students; curricular and co-curricular learning outcomes; collaboration and partnerships; faculty policies and procedures; and administrative leadership, structure and staffing.

Schulte said faculty and staff interested in being part of a working group can reach out through UNG's ACE Internationalization Lab website or email her at sheila.schulte@ung.edu.

"A successful comprehensive internationalization plan will be driven by faculty and staff," Schulte said. "Their input is integral to the process."

As part of the lab, UNG is paired with an ACE Lab adviser: Dr. Penelope "Nell" Pynes, associate provost for international programs at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro. Pynes will make a site visit to UNG on Oct. 14 for meetings with the Steering Committee, Provost Chaudron Gille, the Provost's Council, Center for Global Engagement staff, and other constituents. 

Lloyd is grateful for UNG's connection with both Pynes and ACE.

"They provide a lot of expertise and a well-vetted structure," Lloyd said.