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The University of North Georgia (ºìÁ«ÉçÇø) 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 ºìÁ«ÉçÇø 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 ºìÁ«ÉçÇø's co-chairs for the lab.

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

• College of Arts & Letters: Dr. Juman Al-Bukhari, Dr. Alexander Wisnoski
• College of Education: Dr. Kelly McFaden, Dr. Winnifred Namatovu
• College of Health Sciences & Professions: Dr. Vanessa Jones, Dr. Susan Klappa
• College of Science and Mathematics: Dr. Jeremy Cooper, Dr. Nancy Dalman
• Institute of Environmental and Spatial Analysis: Dr. Elizabeth Marekia-Cleaveland
• Mike Cottrell College of Business: Katie Simmons, Dr. Waros Ngamsiriudom
• Enrollment Management: Dr. Brett Morris
• Dean of students: Dr. John Delaney
• Commandant of cadets: Retired Col. Joseph Matthews

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 ºìÁ«ÉçÇø'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, ºìÁ«ÉçÇø 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 ºìÁ«ÉçÇø 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 ºìÁ«ÉçÇø's connection with both Pynes and ACE.

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