Factors affecting student affairs administrators’ views of campus services for international students at five public universities in Ohio

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine factors affecting views of campus services for international students among student affairs administrators. Factors identified during the literature review were examined using a multiple perspectives framework, which combined concepts related to student affairs administration, strategic planning for internationalization and multicultural organization development. The researcher utilized a mixed methods sequential explanatory research design, which included an internet survey and interviews. Responses to the internet survey were examined using a Scale of Current Views and a Scale of Ideal Views, which were designed specifically for this study to measure alignment between views and professional standards for international student services. The findings of this study indicate that foreign language proficiency and strategic alignment of international activities positively correlate with scores on the Scale of Current Views while the number of degrees of separation from the president of their institution holds a negative correlation. International student enrollment and frequency of travel outside of the United States positively correlate with scores on the Scale of Ideal Views. Participants reported desires to learn more about the internationalization strategy at their institution as well as become more involved in internationalization efforts, but they felt largely excluded as stakeholders. Participants also reported a desire to improve services for international students, but felt challenged by communication barriers associated with culture and language as well as a lack of training opportunities available to staff at their institution. Finally, participants expressed concern over the administration and intentionality of internationalization efforts at their institution.