Status of International Business in Community Colleges Presented by: Gretchen Carroll Associate Professor 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. Over 98,000 international students, 1/5 of all international students in the United States attend community colleges. International enrollment since 9/11 has grown at 7% per annum.

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.

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 form 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 16 million by 2004, 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 I attended 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 marketing, human geography, international transactions, multicultural diversity. 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. Work with Educational Tours to establish an affordable 15 day custom tour of Europe, including major business centers in London, Paris, and Frankfurt. 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.