Virginia Commonwealth University English Language Program

Global Education Office

Mission and Vision GEO Mission: The VCU Global Education Office is dedicated to supporting the university in increasing the global impact of research, teaching, and service and in expanding the role of VCU on the world stage.

GEO Vision

Over the next five years, the Global Education Office will support VCU’s internationalisation goals by taking a holistic and integrated approach to high-impact global programming, growing international student enrollment, and enhancing international partnerships and collaborations to increase opportunities for students, faculty, and staff.

Overview

Over the past decade, the Global Education Office has seen many successes in the internationalisation of VCU. From the creation of sustainable, strategic international partnerships to the accreditation of the English Language Program, to a notable increase in the number of students who study abroad, we have made significant strides in enhancing the university's global impact.

As a recipient of the Institute for International Education’s (IIE) Generation Study Abroad Seal of Excellence for our commitment to increasing study abroad participation, the IIE 2018 Andrew Heiskell Award for Innovation in International Education, and the NAFSA 2015 Spotlight Award for Internationalisation for VCU Globe, the globally-focused living-learning program that prepares students for work in the 21st century, VCU has demonstrated its leadership in international education both nationally and internationally. Additionally, the Peace Corps Prep program, housed in VCU Globe since 2014 and one of the nation’s largest Peace Corps Prep programs, is a testament to the strength of international education at VCU.

In addition to these student-focused programs, VCU has served as host to several high level, federally sponsored programs, including the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, the flagship program of the Department of State's Young African Leaders Initiative, the Open World Program (now known as the Congressional Office for International Leadership), a unique, nonpartisan initiative of the U.S. Congress intended to build mutual understanding between the U.S. and Eurasia, and the Fulbright Gateway Orientation, designed to introduce scholars to the higher education landscape in the U.S. and American culture in preparation for their entry into their U.S. academic programs.

This strong foundation allows us to now develop a path forward that considers the present but embraces the future. We have the opportunity to leverage current and discover new ways of integrating international dimensions across campus, exploring connections around the world for faculty, staff and students, and developing global solutions for society’s challenges.

Core Values

• Integrity – to serve every student with the highest standards of honesty, professionalism and ethics;
• Achievement – to ensure excellence in English language learning through best practices in instruction, research, and student services;
• Collaboration – to promote collegiality among faculty, students and staff;
• Innovation – to advance student creativity and originality independently and in group work;
• Diversity – to enhance understanding and share knowledge about all cultures and to further diversify the student body.