By Courtney Van Hoosen | Global Partnerships and Initiatives
A year after debuting the Forward Together global strategy, the 2021 Global Nebraska annual report highlights the progress made towards the strategy’s four goals in expanding global engagement across the university. The report is now available online and in print.
“We’ve faced various challenges through the pandemic, but I’m proud of how we as an institution have come together to advance our mission and shape the world around us, globally and locally,” said Josh Davis, associate vice chancellor for global affairs. “This report highlights the momentum Nebraska has built over the last year aligned with our global strategy in expanding student learning, creating global partnerships and leading impactful research.”
As highlighted in the report, significant progress was made in 2021 towards Goal 1: Future and World Ready, which focuses on global experiential learning for students. The creation of the International Travel Risk Committee, led by Dave Long, director of global safety and security, allowed the university to better analyze risk associated with university-sponsored international travel and supported the safe return to study abroad in July. The Global Experiences Office (formerly Education Abroad) also launched 11 new Global Experiences programs in summer and fall 2021, as well as the Peace Corps Prep program.
Progress towards Goal 2: Partner for Impact included celebration of Sustainable Development Goals Action Week in March last year and the university’s commitment of $40 million to fund research and community-building events for Nebraska’s Grand Challenges. Global Affairs also made significant headway in Goal 3: Bring the Best to Nebraska with creating a new director of international recruitment strategy, filled by Blayne Sharpe; expanding cultural and career-related programming for international students; and collaborating with the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and other campus partners.
Some of the most notable achievements in the past year support Goal 4: Strong Foundation. Last fall, the university announced a $5 million renovation of Louise Pound Hall to create a global engagement center to serve as the physical hub of international activity on campus. The report also includes a summary of all international units that have been rebranded under Global Affairs.
Additional highlights from the 2021 report include:
- Profiles of student research in various disciplines making a global and local impact
- Recognizing the university’s largest-ever International Education Week celebration
- The impact of Global Experience courses and Peace Corps Prep on student learning
- A new public-private partnership for Sudanese scholars supported by Programs in English as a Second Language
- The university’s two U.S. Department of State-funded grants that strengthened institutional capacity in Rwanda and Senegal