A new and exciting research initiative is underway to support and highlight international education at community colleges across the United States. Led by Dr. Melissa Whatley and her research team at William & Mary, the Community College International Education Research Initiative aims to strengthen the field through comprehensive data collection and analysis.
Since August, the team has been gathering information from institutional websites to better understand how community colleges are engaging in internationalization. Their research focuses on six key areas:
- Study abroad opportunities
- International student enrollment
- Virtual international exchange
- Global learning certificates or diplomas
- Resources for faculty and staff
- On-campus international cultural events
The results of this initial research project are now available online at https://ccintled.pages.wm.edu/. Visitors can explore an interactive map that visualizes how these international education activities are distributed across the country.
As with any large-scale data project, some inaccuracies may exist due to outdated or unclear website content. Institutions are encouraged to review the information provided and submit any necessary corrections using the form available on the site. Feedback will help ensure the data remains accurate and useful for the field.
This initiative represents an important step forward in tracking and promoting the global engagement efforts of community colleges.
For more information or to review your institution’s data, visit: https://ccintled.pages.wm.edu/