Strengthening Study Abroad: Recommendations for Effective Institutional Management

The Report of the Task Force on Institutional Management of Study Abroad

The growth of study abroad—an integral part of any campus internationalization effort—brings with it new challenges for presidents, senior administrators, and study abroad professionals.

Like any other rapidly expanding activity, study abroad needs the attention of top campus leaders to ensure that it is integrated into the academic program; operates in a fashion that is consistent with sound business practices related to contracting, risk management, and accountability; and serves the needs of students. Getting that balance right is ultimately the responsibility of institutional leadership.

This balance was the subject of a NAFSA task force composed of 12 college and university presidents and senior administrators, who met in late 2007. The task force issued its report, in January 2008, outlining 14 criteria for effective institutional management of study abroad. The report, titled Strengthening Study Abroad: Recommendations for Effective Institutional Management, is intended to prompt discussion and reflection at the highest levels on university and college campuses about how each institution can effectively integrate, sustain, and strengthen study abroad.

Endorsed by Higher Education Associations

Six higher education associations endorsed the report—the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), the American Council on Education (ACE), the Association of American Universities (AAU), the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU), and the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges (NASULGC).

Task Force Members

• John K. Hudzik (Chair), Vice President, Global Engagement and Strategic Projects
  Michigan State University
• Karen Hunter Anderson, Vice President for Adult Education and Institutional Support
  Illinois Community College Board
• Joseph Brockington, Associate Provost for International Programs
  Kalamazoo College
• Robert A. Corrigan, President
  San Francisco State University
• Everett Egginton, Dean, International Border Programs and NAFSA President-elect
  New Mexico State University
• Pamela Brooks Gann, President
  Claremont McKenna College
• Marlene M. Johnson, Executive Director and CEO
  NAFSA: Association of International Educators
• Pamela Jolicoeur, President
  Concordia College (Moorhead, MN)
• Kavita Pandit, Senior Vice Provost, Academic Affairs
  The State University of New York
• Kathleen Sideli, Associate Vice President for Overseas Study
  Indiana University
• Thelma B. Thompson, President
  University of Maryland-Eastern Shore
• Humphrey R. Tonkin, President Emeritus
  University of Hartford

Acceptable Use Guidelines

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NAFSA grants institutions of higher education the right to reproduce this document for distribution for informational purposes. No fees of any kind may be charged when distributing copies made from this PDF or any other facsimile of this document.

Released January 2008
© 2008 NAFSA: Association of International Educators. All rights reserved.