The University of Alabama, along with 10 other colleges and universities across the country, has joined the 15th Internationalization Lab cohort of the American Council on Education.
Using the ACE model for comprehensive internationalization, over the next 18 months, leadership teams will review, analyze and make recommendations on UA’s international activities, programs, practices and policies. UA’s Strategic Plan: Advancing the Flagship will guide and underpin this work as faculty members designate priorities and goals and propose action plans.
UA’s participation in the lab was launched in late fall 2017 with a visit by Dr. Gil Latz, associate vice chancellor for international affairs for Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and associate vice president for international affairs for Indiana University. Latz, who will serve as UA’s lab adviser, met with UA President Stuart R. Bell, Provost Kevin Whitaker, the UA Dean’s Council and the ACE Lab Steering Committee during his visit.
Whitaker’s charge to the steering committee underscores UA’s commitment to internationalization and the importance of the lab.
“The work and recommendations from the lab promise to have broad and long-lasting impact on the Capstone,” he said. “I encourage creative and bold thinking about ways to expand our international capacity.”
Add your input
UA faculty are highly encouraged to weigh in on the internationalization process via this form.
ACE Lab Steering Committee
Serving as co-chairs for the steering committee are Dr. Tricia McElroy, associate dean, College of Arts and Sciences; Dr. David Mothersbaugh, associate dean, Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration; and Dr. Teresa Wise, associate provost for international education and global outreach.
Subcommittees are being formed to address the following areas of internationalization:
- Articulated commitment; administrative leadership, structure, staffing; faculty policies
- Curriculum and co-curriculum
- Faculty practices and research
- Student mobility (inbound and outbound)
- Collaboration and partnerships
Steering committee members are as follows:
- Dr. Steve Bunker, College of Arts and Sciences
- Parnab Das, College of Engineering
- Dr. Andy Goodliffe, Graduate School
- Grace Lee, Law School
- Dr. Tricia McElroy, College of Arts and Sciences
- Dr. Robin McWilliam, College of Education
- Dr. Mary Meares, College of Communication and Information Sciences
- Dr. David Mothersbaugh, Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration
- Dr. Debra Nelson-Gardell, School of Social Work
- Dr. Lisa Pawloski, College of Arts and Sciences
- Dr. Ruperto Perez, Division of Student Life
- Dr. Heather Pleasants, Office of Institutional Effectiveness
- Dr. Jason Scofield, College of Human Environmental Sciences
- Dr. Heath Turner, College of Engineering
- Dr. Teresa Wise, Academic Affairs, Capstone International Center
ACE is the major coordinating body for all the nation’s higher education institutions, representing nearly 1,800 college and university presidents and related associations. It provides leadership on key higher education issues and influences public policy through advocacy. The ACE Internationalization Lab is an initiative of ACE’s Center for Internationalization and Global Engagement.