What's Happening with Internationalization at Community Colleges? : Community College Presidents' Perceptions of Internationalization Actions, the Desirability and Feasibility of Internationalization Actions, and the Importance of Internationalization

Abstract

Internationalization of higher education is critical for United States’ citizens to be globally competent and economically competitive. With nearly 50 percent of U.S. higher education students currently enrolled at community colleges, the topic of internationalization actions at community colleges is an important one. This study examines internationalization actions taken at U.S. public community colleges, the college presidents’ perceptions of actions not yet taken as desirable or feasible, and presidents’ assessments of the importance of internationalization. Responses to a web-based survey sent to 887 presidents of public community colleges in February 2016 reveal certain personal and institutional characteristics that are significantly related to internationalization actions at community colleges. These include years as a president at any institution, number of foreign languages spoken, and number of professional international trips taken, as well as the geographic setting of the institution. These findings will be useful for understanding opportunities for and challenges to internationalization at community colleges.