Quality Enhancement Plan

"Building International Competence: An Integrated Approach to International Education"

Executive Summary

Overview and Brief Description

The University of Tampa’s QEP project is the improvement and enhancement of international education efforts and is entitled, “Building International Competence: An Integrated Approach to International Education.”

The University has determined that the best way to achieve these goals is through improved integration and coordination of international education initiatives. The model is constructed around three core areas: creating a campus learning environment that promotes international competency; creating exceptional international-related learning experiences and opportunities; and maximizing learning outcomes by repeated exposure and multiple interventions.

The QEP was benchmarked with the American Council on Education which provides a framework to assess and measure progress towards instilling the skills, knowledge and attitudes that are necessary to form internationally competent citizens. The QEP process has led to development of an elective Certificate of International Studies program. The program will offer options in language studies, courses with enhanced international and intercultural content, study abroad options, work experience or extra-curricular activities, and a new senior capstone course.

The major anticipated outcome will be student achievement of the UT Educational Experience internationalization goals with special emphasis on measurable increases among students whose skills, knowledge and attitudes in the area of international competency are significantly improved. Recognizing that faculty leadership is vital to the success of the QEP, a faculty development component has been included in the plan design.

Focus

The overarching goals of the QEP, designed to promote international and intercultural education opportunities for all students, are to:

• provide a roadmap for the integration and coordination of University programs and services in the areas of international and intercultural education experiences;
• work to better serve domestic and international students in the areas of international and intercultural education experiences through provision of multiple services and activities toward these ends;
• focus student attention and interest on this central component of the UT mission and UT Educational Experience;
• focus faculty/staff attention and interest in the areas of international and intercultural education experiences, including faculty/staff development opportunities;
• increase the involvement of interested community partners who share in the goal of improved international and intercultural education experiences; and
• help UT to graduate internationally competent students, defined as students with enhanced skills, knowledge, attitudes and values in the areas of international and intercultural matters.

Student learning outcomes will be assessed in the following areas that were selected as part of the benchmarking process.

Skills:

• Students will demonstrate second language skill proficiency including non-verbal communication competency.
• Students will demonstrate daily living skills and will demonstrate the ability to travel, study, and live outside of the United States.
• Students will demonstrate the ability to access information about the world.  

Knowledge:

• Students will demonstrate knowledge of the uniqueness of cultures, including the ability to identify geographical, religious, and socio-cultural characteristics in non-U.S. countries and cultures.
• Students will demonstrate a knowledge and appreciation of the historical context of various world cultures, including identification of the main culture zones as defined by the American Council on Education.
• Students will develop a knowledge and appreciation of the contemporary global agenda, defined as those issues which all global citizens face, including international labor, refugees, environmental degradation, and women’s and children’s issues. 

Attitudes/Values:

• Students will demonstrate a recognition and appreciation of cultural differences between the peoples of the world, including intercultural sensitivity and awareness.
• Students will demonstrate self-awareness and develop self-esteem regarding their own culture and its ethnic diversity.
• Students will demonstrate receptivity and openness to learning about the world and engage the larger global community as an internationally competent citizen.