York College of Pennsylvania selected for ACE's 17th Internationalization Laboratory cohort

York College of Pennsylvania is one of 18 colleges and universities participating in the American Council on Education’s (ACE) 17th Internationalization Laboratory cohort. 

Over the next 20 months, York College and other cohort member institutions will develop strategies and goals for campus internationalization, with the goal of long-lasting institutional change. Each will form leadership teams to work on strategic planning and student outcomes, attend Laboratory meetings in Washington, D.C., participate in site visits and peer reviews, and engage in monthly communication with ACE staff and a team of advisors.

"I am pleased that York College was selected -- from institutions around the country and the world -- for this prestigious program," said York College Provost Laura Niesen de Abruna. "Through our participation, we will complete an audit of the opportunities for our campus to increase study abroad, international recruitment, international partnerships, and to internationalize our curriculum. These are very important goals for York College and its students."

"I am excited about creating more curricular and cocurricular opportunities for increasing our graduates' cultural understanding," said David Fyfe, who was recently named to the new position of Director of Global Awareness at York College. "As the world becomes more and more connected, it is essential that our students have a better sense of their roles as global citizens." 

Since 2002, more than 150 institutions have participated in the program. The 17^th cohort is the largest to date. The other institutions selected are:

• Bethany College (WV)
• California State University, San Bernardino
• Loyola Marymount University (CA)
• Mercer University (GA)
• Purdue University Northwest
• Rhodes College (TN)
• Sinclair College (OH)
• Southern Illinois University
• SUNY - The College of Brockport
• Universidade Federal de Goiás (Brazil)
• Universidade Estadual de Maringá (Brazil)
• Universidade Federal do Pará (Brazil)
• University of California San Diego
• University of Delaware
• University of Missouri - Kansas City
• University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• University of North Georgia

“This is a tremendous, unmatched opportunity for these institutions to share lessons and challenges as they undergo a cultural transformation over the coming months,” said Robin Matross Helms, ACE director for internationalization and global engagement.