Dear Colleagues,
The Office of Provost and Illinois International are pleased to share with the campus community Vision 2030: Illinois’ Global Strategy, a document to guide the university’s global engagement strategy in concert with the goals of The Next 150 (the campus strategic plan).
Vision 2030’s key purpose is to position the university to respond proactively to emerging global trends and geopolitical conditions, such as the youth surge, growing individual empowerment and increasing demands for education, and greater competition within higher education. Over the next seven years, we will take action together to expand and create comprehensive global learning, teaching, research and engagement opportunities for our students, faculty, and staff to continue leading in areas that drive innovation and global impact.
Vision 2030 emerged from a multi-year process, beginning with the 2018 Globalization Strategy Taskforce Report developed by the 2017-2018 Illinois International Advisory Committee, under the leadership of Professor Clara Chu and Dean Peter Constable. Recommendations from the 2018 Taskforce Report were incorporated into the campus strategic plan, The Next 150. Building on that foundation, the Illinois International Advisory Committee—in collaboration with the Vice Provost for International Affairs and Global Strategies—identified strategic focus areas, conducted research, and pinpointed key strategies and actions. The final version was informed by and revised pursuant to feedback received from various stakeholders, including: Deans and their respective college leadership, the Council of Undergraduate Deans, representatives from the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation, and public forums open to the campus community.
I wish to take this opportunity to extend my sincere gratitude to the members of the Illinois International Advisory Committee, who have spent several years developing the initial vision, seeking feedback from stakeholders and experts, and laying the groundwork for future collaborations. Thank you to Meredith Blumthal, Anita Chan, Clara Chu, Brian Dill, Stephen Downie, Christine Gozdziak, Mohit Gupta, Sammer Jones, Daniel S. Katz, Ryan Lamare, Benjamin Lough, Erik McDuffie, Lowa Mwilambwe, Cynthia Oliver, James Pait, Suzana Palaska, Christine Renshaw, Roberto Rojas, Emanuel Rota, Ken Salo, Beth Scheid, Elizabeth Spark, Anna Tsai, Mike Yao, and Allison Witt.
I look forward to celebrating the launch of Vision 2030 at the Illinois Global Summit on October 19, 2022. This event will engage our community in critical conversations towards achieving the actions set forth in the strategy document.
I invite you to explore the Vision 2030 website to learn more about this ambitious initiative.
Sincerely,
Reitu
Reitumetse Obakeng Mabokela, Ph.D.
Vice Provost International Affairs and Global Strategies
Professor: Education Policy, Organization and Leadership, College of Education