The OISS Annual Report Presented by: Adria L. Baker, Ed.D., Executive Director, OISS Associate Vice Provost for International Education OISS: Office of International Students & Scholars Highlights, Challenges & Opportunities Administrators’ Forum – January 13, 2015

Highlights Challenges & Opportunities  International Education Exchange at Rice  Office of International Students & Scholars (OISS)  Initiatives OISS Annual Report

“Educational exchange can turn nations into people, contributing as no other form of communication can to the humanizing of international relations.” Senator J. William Fulbright quote, 1983 speech to the Council on International Education Exchange Internationalization That Matters OISS Annual Report

Highlights: Building infrastructure for agreements, collaborations and engagement. (Virtual Global Office (VGO) meets bi-monthly, chaired by Dr. Vassar). Focus on Fulbright initiative Various committees across campus creating internationalization standards and coordination. Finalist for Simon Campus Comprehensive Internationalization award International Education Exchange at Rice OISS Annual Report

Challenges & Opportunities: Need more interdisciplinary collaboration and coordination. Need to continue to learn “best practices” from one another and ways to communicate that. Quantifying the vast internationalization efforts and initiatives across campus. International Education Exchange at Rice OISS Annual Report

Highlights: Record numbers of international students = 23% of overall student population. 11.8% of undergraduates 39.7% of graduates Staying compliant with immigration, given the high/growing numbers of internationals and expanding regulatory mandates. Refined undergraduate international student support including iPREP. Coordination with other offices. Office of International Students & Scholars (OISS) OISS Annual Report

Who are the internationals at Rice University? The OISS is responsible for tracking, reporting, and providing services for internationals at Rice. The total international population is a 12+% increase from last year. Overall International Student Population OISS Annual Report

International Student Enrollment Trends at Rice The overall graduate international student population increased by 6+% from last year. Total graduate internationals = 1037 (39.7%) The overall undergraduate international student population increased by 2+% from last year. Total undergraduate internationals = 462 (11.8%) Graduate vs. Undergraduate Enrollment OISS Annual Report

Comparative Data with Peer Universities (from IPEDS) OISS Annual Report

Major Fields of Study: Rice International Students The largest percent of international students at Rice University study in one of the Engineering fields, with Natural Science in second and Social Sciences is third. Architecture, Business Administration and Music remained almost the same as last year. OISS Annual Report

Areas of World: Rice International Students OISS Annual Report

Country Diversity of Rice Students Countries represented by students (2014) = 77 Countries represented by students 10 years ago (2004) = 83 Number of Countries Represented by Students OISS Annual Report

International Scholar Population at Rice Countries represented by students (2014) = 77 Countries represented by students 10 years ago (2004) = 83 Number of Countries Represented OISS Annual Report

Fields of Specialization: Rice International Scholars OISS Annual Report The largest percent of international scholars at Rice University are in Engineering and Natural Science, with Humanities & Music being third.

Challenges & Opportunities: New immigration regulations effective Jan. 5, 2015 For J Exchange Visitors (mainly affects scholars) Internships for F students (especially undergrads) Briefing on procedures and Immigration Reform Executive Order – January 22, 2015; 3-4:00pm, Room-TBD Managing the numbers of internationals (3000+) 1499 International students 736 International scholars 109 Exchange and visiting international students Office of International Students & Scholars (OISS) OISS Annual Report

Challenges & Opportunities: Managing unrealistic turn-around times. These will push back in 2015 due to: Increasing numbers More steps required for visas, including Visitor System process Staffing Country diversity International population not throughout campus, i.e., heavy in particular areas Office of International Students & Scholars (OISS) (cont.) OISS Annual Report

Highlights: Have expanded government scholarship participation into all categories (since Spring 2012): Undergraduate visiting (40) Professional Masters (10) Doctoral (3) Intensive English (17) Postdocs & other researchers (39) Faculty participation high 50+ faculty engaged in Rice-Brazilian collaborations Office OISS Annual Report

Highlights: Faculty Travel Grants Approximately $100,000 in AY Calls for Grant Applications: April 1 & November 1 board just approved student internship application grants via AIESEC Also finalist for Simon “Spotlight” Campus Internationalization award Relationships with Brazilian government leaders Diaspora headquarters in Houston via Visit from CNPq General Manager from Brasilia Office OISS Annual Report

Challenges & Opportunities : Lack of outward student study abroad mobility to Brazil. Obstacles include: Costs Language Opportunities: CLIC doing a language immersion course; Financial support of internship applications. Constantly changing parameters, policies, due to the Brazilian government reversing their decisions. Office OISS Annual Report

Professionally: See a need? We can help pull together a short-term task force to discuss issues and solutions. Individual department, school, faculty trainings, i.e., immigration updates, procedures. Encourage participation from faculty and administrators in the Focus on Fulbright special visits. Invitation for Rice Community (You and Your Department) to Engage Internationally at Rice OISS Annual Report

Professionally: (cont.) Encourage faculty to apply for Brazilian faculty travel grant. Encourage participation in your department for International Education Week (November 2015) Invitation for Rice Community (You and Your Department) to Engage Internationally at Rice (cont.) OISS Annual Report

Personally: Participate in the the Friends of International Students & Scholars (FISS) program, i.e., befriend a first-year student. Help us find other FISS friends. Consider being a substitute for the Volunteer English & Culture classes (usually at noon). Invitation for Rice Community (You and Your Department) to Engage Internationally at Rice (cont.) OISS Annual Report

Questions & Discussion Thank you!