How Can Community Building Our Government Colleges Promote O Recognizes the Role of the Global Global Competency? ver the last two decades— Community Colleges • Expand programs and initiatives to Community: as our world has become more promote global awareness, training interdependent and complex and economic development. “America’s mission in this new —community college leaders • Encourage inclusiveness relating to race, ethnicity and religion. century must be to welcome more have broadened the definition of • Broaden the study of foreign languages foreign students to our nation and “community.” For the well-educated and cultures. send more of our citizens abroad to person, learning competency and Joint Statement • Enhance international study and study.” engagement must transcend time, exchange for students and faculty. on the Role of Condoleezza Rice, U.S. Secretary of State place and culture. Colleges must • Promote the U.S. community college Community Colleges in offer programs that support a model and recruit international “We believe we can not only double more international view and active students worldwide. International Education the number of foreign students in engagement on the part of faculty, U.S. community colleges… but also businesses and community leaders. Facts—International bring international recognition Students and Study to the many roles that community T Abroad: colleges play in our country…” • International students at community Karen Hughes, U.S. Under Secretary of o that end, the American colleges increased by 57.9% between State for Public Diplomacy and Public Association of Community Colleges 1993-2003. Affairs and the Association of Community • Over 84,000 international students “We have dedicated ourselves to College Trustees reaffirm, on behalf now attend two-year institutions. informing students all over the of their respective memberships, a • International students at community colleges contribute more than $1.87 world that the United States is committment to the importance of billion annually to the U.S. economy. the welcoming place it always has the globally educated learner and to • Nearly 4,000 community college been.” building the global community. students study abroad. Maura Harty, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF COMMUNITY COLLEGES ASSOCIATION OF COMMUNITY COLLEGE TRUSTEES Joint Statement serving virtually every community. As a administrators, faculty, and staff who What Community multi-billion industry focused on serving oversee programs and services—have on the Role of learners, strengthening businesses and an obligation not only to embrace global College Leaders entrepreneurship, and helping communities education, but to engage their communities Community Colleges in Can Do: develop and grow their economies, in understanding its importance. Colleges community colleges also are guardians of draw business leaders and employers, staff International Education educational access and opportunity helping from governmental entities, and community Boards to nurture and sustain our democracy. volunteers in service organizations into “Community colleges should develop The programs and services provided by discussions about global issues and their • Adopt a policy indicating support for international education. community colleges contribute to informed impact. strategic plans for global awareness • Request periodic reports on progress. citizenship, the pursuit of intercultural and competence that respond to the Our colleges also welcome and embrace • Recognize students where appropriate. understanding, enhanced diversity, needs of the community’s learners, international students into their campuses • Take proactive role in working with increased prosperity, and most importantly, business contacts to promote international businesses, and institutions.”* and local communities, strengthen student and individual preparedness in an education. international programs and support services, increasingly interdependent global economy. We live in a time of continuous economic and promote faculty and student exchanges. Community colleges are, in effect, “stewards and social change driven by increasing Moreover, they reach out to higher CEOs to the world.” globalization. Traditional economic education institutions abroad for greater • Take active role in promoting campus boundaries have given way to emerging Community colleges are conveners and collaboration and formal partnerships. These leadership to support international economic imperatives, both at home and facilitators within their communities. They responsibilities have grown in importance education. abroad. welcome students and faculty from around as continuing tensions and threats affect • Establish leadership role for directing the world who are interested in accessing nations and peoples around the globe. international education. Enhancing global awareness is not only in the community college experience and the • Provide funding for travel and other the community’s self-interest, but it also In short, a rededication to global education transformative power they provide. Colleges international-related activities, as serves the nation as a whole. The ability to have a responsibility to acknowledge global is required that will inspire and shape new appropriate. understand, appreciate, and communicate educational strategies initiated to promote understanding and communication as effectively—irrespective of national the shared goals of global connectedness and integral to their mission. Indeed, they are and cultural origins—frees the forces of understanding. an important voice in the nation’s public economic development and allows ideas, diplomacy, one sought and utilized by both —PUBLISHED 2006 capital and innovation to move unimpeded. federal and state governments. Fulfilling a vital mission for the nation’s * The Knowledge Net: A Report of the New Community college leaders—their Expeditions Initiative (American Association higher education structure, community governing boards and the chief of Community Colleges and Association of One Dupont Circle, NW - 1233 20th Street, NW - colleges are transformative institutions executives that lead them, as well as their Community College Trustees, 2000). Suite 410 Suite 605 Washington DC, 20036 Washington DC, 20036 www.aacc.nche.edu www.acct.org