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Changing The Role of Advocacy & Planning
May 1, 2024
From a podcast interview with Charlie Bankart, a seasoned Senior Internationalization Officer at the University of Kansas who has worked in international education for over 19 years.
“We track data, and it’s important to us to pull that data together, to sit down with the dean to contextualize that data and to help him or her know the contributions that their faculty and staff and students are making because they are substantial.”
International education offices are crucial in promoting comprehensive internationalization within universities in the ever-changing landscape of higher education. Traditionally, these offices have focused on advocacy, but their role now expands to include deeper collaborations with other departments. This article explores the changing role of international education offices, highlighting the importance of advocacy and collaboration to achieve shared goals.
One of the primary responsibilities of international education offices is advocacy. However, advocacy has evolved, requiring a shift in approach. Charlie Bankart, an experienced international education professional, emphasizes the importance of tracking data and contextualizing it for deans to demonstrate the substantial contributions of faculty, staff, and students to comprehensive internationalization.
“We track data, and it’s important to us to pull that data together, to sit down with the dean to contextualize that data and to help him or her know the contributions that their faculty and staff and students are making because they are substantial.”
Advocacy now involves highlighting past achievements and informing and planning for the future. International education offices must work closely with deans to identify areas of involvement and articulate how internationalization can enhance efforts within specific spheres of influence. This collaborative approach ensures that goals are set and publicly articulated, with a clear understanding of the action items required for success.
“It’s about connecting dots, and it’s about making some sacrifices to the things that we have been doing because there’s something that is a shared priority that has raised in the level of importance or aligns really well with the mission and vision and the values of this institution.”
International education offices must collaborate with other university departments to achieve comprehensive internationalization. Bankart highlights the importance of connecting with faculty affairs, student affairs, enrollment management, academic deans, human resources, and operations. This collaboration allows for a collective effort that can accomplish more than individual departments working in isolation.
“You have to think differently about those connections and give to accomplish more than you could by yourself collectively.”
Collaboration involves identifying shared priorities and finding ways to align internationalization efforts with the goals and values of other departments. For example, international education offices can partner with faculty affairs to support faculty travel through research funds. They can also work with academic deans to fund trips to institutions aligned with the curriculum and student study abroad programs. By forging these connections, international education offices can leverage the expertise and resources of other departments to enhance their initiatives.
The changing role of international education offices has significant implications for the future of higher education. By shifting from a purely advocacy-focused approach to one that emphasizes collaboration, these offices can foster a more integrated and holistic approach to internationalization. This shift allows for a deeper understanding of the contributions made by faculty, staff, and students, as well as the potential for future growth and development.
Furthermore, collaboration with other departments enables international education offices to tap into a wider range of resources and expertise. By working together, departments can pool their resources and knowledge to create more impactful and sustainable internationalization initiatives. This collaboration also helps break down silos within universities, fostering a culture of shared responsibility and collective action.
The potential impact of this shift in the role of international education offices is far-reaching. It can lead to increased faculty and student engagement in international activities, enhanced curriculum development, and improved support for international students. Additionally, collaboration with other departments can help universities attract and retain top talent as internationalization becomes a shared priority across the institution.
The role of international education offices is evolving to include more advocacy and collaboration with other departments within universities. Advocacy now involves tracking data, contextualizing contributions, and co-constructing goals and action items with campus leadership. Collaboration with other departments allows international education offices to connect the dots and collectively accomplish more than they could on their own. This shift in approach has significant implications for the future of higher education, fostering a more integrated and holistic approach to internationalization. By working together, departments can leverage their resources and expertise to create impactful and sustainable internationalization initiatives. The changing role of international education offices can enhance faculty and student engagement, curriculum development, and support for international students, ultimately contributing to the overall success of universities in an increasingly globalized world.
To catch the full interview with Charlie, CLICK HERE.
