Transcript Status of International Business in Community Colleges

The Status of
International
Business in
Community
Colleges
Presented by:
Gretchen Carroll, J.D.
Professor Business Management
Owens State Community College
First The Facts
There are 1,171 local community colleges
in the United States.
According to the American Association of
Community Colleges over 80% of these
community colleges have integrated
international components into course work.
83% of them sponsor activities to promote
global awareness among students.
Furthermore....
reflecting demand, enrollment in
community colleges with international
business programs grew from 23% to
60% over the last 5 years.
Close to 100,000 international students,
39% of all international students in the
United States attend community colleges
& contribute 1.87 billion annually to the
US economy.
international student enrollment at CCs
increased by 57.9% from 93-03.
Moreover...
All of the regional accrediting
associations have adopted standards
or policies to guide two-year
institutions as they move into
international education.
Many two-year institutions have
altered their mission statements to
include foreign study for students as a
means to develop global
perspectives.
Why?
American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of
Business (AACSB) in their standards and
guidelines for business school accreditation
encouraged business schools to adopt a
systematic acceptance of internationalization in
their curriculum.
Association of Collegiate Business Schools and
Programs (ACBSP) included in their standards, for
two year institutions, that students develop a
global perspective, and the study of the
international environment should be included in
the business curriculum.
AACC- ACCT Joint Statement on the
Role of Community Colleges in
International Education
“Community Colleges should develop
strategic plans for global awareness
and competence that respond to the
needs of the community’s learners,
businesses and institutions.
Government supported these initiatives with
an international education policy
To continue to compete successfully in the global
economy and to maintain our roles as a world
leader, the US needs to ensure that its citizens
develop a broad understanding of the world,
proficiency in other languages, and knowledge of
other cultures.
A coherent and coordinated international
education strategy (which includes community
colleges) will help us meet the twin challenges of
preparing our citizens for a global environment
while continuing to attract and educate future
leaders from abroad.
How does the Government
support the initiative?
Encouraging students from other countries
to study in the United States;
Promoting study abroad by U.S. students;
Supporting the exchange of teachers,
scholars and citizens at all levels of
society;
Expanding high-quality foreign language
learning and knowledge of other cultures.
20% of community colleges have received
U.S. government funds to help support
international programs.
International Education Must Be Part of the
Community College’s Mission.... Why?
We’re building a world of learners. Community Colleges are
no longer just preparing a workforce, they are developing an
active citizenry, prepared to navigate and participate in a
global community.
Community college enrollments are projected to be over 13
million by 2010, over half of all Americans will begin their
education at a community college, as well as increasing
numbers of international students.
The ‘community’ identified in the mission statement is no
longer confined to a limited geographical area as distance
education expands the scope and reach of all colleges, and
international students migrate to community colleges for a
variety of reasons.
“The argument for international education programs exists
on the human level, in economic terms, and on the civic
plane.”
American Association of Community Colleges
Policy on International Education
“To ensure the survival and well-being of
our communities, it is imperative that
community colleges develop a globally and
multi-culturally competent citizenry. In
meeting this challenge, community
colleges should provide:”
internationalized curricula
multicultural activities and programs
foreign language programs
cultural and ethnic studies
The AACC’s Policy also includes...
Study abroad
programs
Faculty and
student exchange
programs
Professional
development
Technical
assistance to other
countries and their
business/industries
Local/state/national
and international
forums
International
student enrollment
How Owens Community College is
meeting the standards...
In 1997, after attending the MSU IBI, we
began developing an international focus in
the business program and across the
curriculum. It was an eight step process
that included:
Process
1) Overcoming resistance in the
department about the need for an
international focus.
2) Presentation at a division meeting on
incorporating a global perspective in all
business classes.
3) Presentation at a College-wide faculty
development seminar on incorporating a
global perspective across the curriculum.
4) Selecting management, marketing, and
business law texts that included an international
focus.
5) Adding International Business as a required
course for all management majors.
6) Adding an International Business option which
includes: international business, international
marketing, human geography, international
transactions, multicultural diversity and a foreign
language requirement.
7) Adding Canadian Studies Transfer degree
which includes the opportunity to study for a
semester at a Canadian two-year college.
8) Joining the Toledo Area International
Trade Association and the International
Trade Assistance Center to develop ties
with the business community.
9) Creating strategic relationships with
BGSU, University of Toledo, University
of Findlay to facilitate transfer students
and professional development for
faculty.
Future Plans for International
Business Education at OCC...
Increased focus on getting international students
enrolled at Owens and in our business transfer
programs.
Participate on a College wide committee to send
students to study and travel internationally.
Attempting to get the program grant funded by the
DOE.
Consider collaboration with other international
education organizations including Youth for
Understanding International Exchange, Sister
Cities International, and People to People
International. .
The Challenges....
1) Faculty support.
2) Marketing the program to the business
community to establish a strong job market for a
two year graduate.
3) Student Interest- over 18,000 students at OCC
but fewer than 300 have selected the IB option,
although this is up dramatically. (Eliminated the
language requirement and enrollment doubled.)
But, it remains difficult to run advanced courses
without student numbers.
“Saber es poder”
Knowledge is power and community colleges are
on the front lines of the global shift.
Our reach has been expanded and enhanced by
the convergence of technology into the education
arena, expanding our sphere beyond our
community. (every course in the BM curriculum is
now available through distance education)
Expanding international education strengthens
democracy, encourages prosperity, and inspires
new intellectual thought and inquiry.
International Education does a lot for
shedding egocentric and ethnocentric
attitudes.
What happens outside of the U.S. does
indeed affect the price of the
automobile, per-capita income, national
security, your job and perhaps personal
freedom. (Even in Toledo, Ohio)
Global education can help community
college students make this connection.
So what is the status of International Business
in Community Colleges?
After assessing economic trends, marketplace
challenges, demographic changes, programming
opportunities, and technology developments, 80% of
Community Colleges across the country have
developed some type of international curricula, 43%
offer international community activities, and 49 %
have study abroad/exchange opportunities.
The world is our new community and it is up to
community colleges to educate the workforce,
educate the electorate, and educate the people to
navigate and participate in a new global community.