The AIEA report on strategic planning reminds the reader of the importance and logic behind using a deliberate approach to higher education internationalization. I enjoyed getting a quick overview of how strategic planning came about according to the report. It was initially used to guide military actions and then it was incorporated into business which makes total sense. Within the context of higher education a strategic plan works best when it is developed through an inclusive, collective process through which all parties develop a mission and prioritize ways to move the institution towards an attainable future, five or more years down the line (P. 4). The idea of shared governance is key.

In reading the twelve principles of successful strategic planning, I put a few in my piggy bank. Principle 4, establishing a timeline- although not completely surprising, strategic timelines are necessary to the back and forth that generally occurs when deliberating on any topic. Principle 7 discussed looking for cost-neutral change mechanisms – tenure incentives are HUGE! I think that aligning a tenure and promotion system where the underlying success will be measured by international curriculum, is a technique that should be sold at higher education institutions everywhere.

It was interesting to read the global strategic plan for Baruch College. As a Baruch student, although these are public documents, I felt like I was getting a sneak peek into the global studies future of Baruch. It seems as though Baruch’s plan aligns well with the principles that the AIEA report and has many of the same lofty ideals and target as the three case studies listed in the report. It is interesting that Baruch plans to hire a full-time staff member to support the Provost in global strategy. In the wake of unsettling financial strain at all of the CUNY senior colleges and the budget cut that is waning; hiring a full-time staff member seems like just another financial burden.  I would argue that this is a necessary one. Most global studies programs have about one staff member and if lucky a college assistant or work study. In order to fulfill the ambitious goal of increasing and creating global academic programs, you need the manpower to sustain relationships with host countries and other departments at home that are involved in the process like registrar and student services. Guiding a student from oblivion to the inquiry stage, to getting them in the door, to completing an application, to approving all necessary documentations (Passport, Visa, etc.), getting course permissions, processing applications, creating accounts, and managing experiences, is a extremely tall task.