Three college presidents in a concurrent session on “The Evolution of an International Perspective on Campus,” discussed their institutions’ efforts to internationalize their campuses through international student recruitment, study abroad programs, and curricular and co-curricular innovations.

Larry Goodwin, president of The College of St. Scholastica (MN), spoke of recent intensive efforts to expand the college’s study-abroad offerings and to increase the presence of international students on campus. While recruiting and retaining international students has proven to be very expensive, Goodwin reported, the faculty noticed an immediate positive change in classroom culture. He cautioned, however, that institutions should be sure that their campuses are ready for programs aimed at increasing campus diversity. “To invite diversity is to change who you are.” He emphasized the importance of having internationalization goals driven by the mission of the institution.

The idea of global education is at the heart of Pacific Lutheran University (WA), said President Loren J. Anderson, who also stressed the importance of institutional mission in creating international perspectives. PLU’s educational mission and international study permeate the curriculum, he said. PLU hires faculty members with international interests, provides students with opportunities for international internships, and has a January term, when many students have an opportunity to study abroad. Anderson said that approximately 40 percent of the student population travels internationally.

Study-abroad is a requirement at Franklin College of Switzerland, said President Erik Nielsen, and most of the college’s students study in non-European countries. Franklin College is an accredited American school, but 40–50 percent of its students are non-Americans. Nielsen emphasized the importance of providing students with a cultural orientation before they travel to a new country.