November 2014

Globalization is the defining feature of the new millennium. Curiosity about the world beyond our national borders is not new, but the rapid pace of change across increasingly interdependent societies alerts us that global perspectives are now essential, not optional. Motivating these changes are advancing technologies, which provide not only instant access through computers, smart phones, and tablets, but also connectivity across all sectors of modern life. We now share a global economy in which the financial crisis in Greece will have reverberations in the stock markets of New York and Tokyo. Social media has become a force for global change. Scientific and health challenges are inherently global in scope. Globalization acknowledges that humanity is co-dependent as never before.

This symposium examined how the global imperative is profoundly and pervasively influencing all aspects of higher education. For example, the large influx of international students at U.S. institutions brings a rich diversity of global experiences into the classroom; however, it also poses challenges for faculty members to accommodate a wider range of backgrounds, cultures, and educational expectations. How does the new global classroom provide an impetus to rethink teaching and learning in the 21st century? How can faculty incorporate global perspectives into their courses? How does the presence of international students change learning? How can institutions ensure that study abroad experiences are an integral and interconnected part of education rather than a superficial experience of intellectual tourism? What strategies are U.S. colleges and universities implementing to establish effective partnerships with educational institutions in other countries?

In November 2014 faculty members and other representatives of Faculty Resource Network institutions addressed these questions and issues during a national symposium on The Global Imperative for Higher Education, held in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and co-hosted by the University of Puerto Rico and the University of the Sacred Heart.