Realizing Internationalization’s Fullest Potential for Transforming the 21st Century Academy: Reflections of an Old-Timer

Colleges and universities have a unique role to play in responding to the global challenges and opportunities of the 21st century, and international education is ideally suited to lead in this regard. Yet, be it in terms of financing, the selection of appropriate leadership, a preoccupation with student mobility, an insufficient engagement with DEI, or the absence of a full embrace of global learning, international education continues to fail to realize its fullest potential in the academy. That the field has developed its own body of professional practice and knowledge means that SIOs have a map to guide their work, which can ultimately lead to the institutionalization of international education on campuses. In this regard, the SIO has an increasingly indispensable role to play—a role that can only help to assure greater relevance and success for those institutions that embrace a robust and strategic internationalization agenda. 

Keywords: Global Competence, Global Engagement, Higher Education, International Education, Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI), Senior International Officer

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