The Role of Local Community Organizations in Advancing Internationalization at Metropolitan State College of Denver

During the past three years, Metropolitan State College of Denver (MSCD) has experienced a unique expansion in its internationalization effort as a result of impetus from community organizations. This presentation focuses on the dynamic engagement of community groups to promote internationalization at the college which culminated in MSCD receiving a sizable grant from the U.S. State Department to undertake capacity building in undergraduate study abroad with a partner university in Ethiopia, Axum University. The results of this community-inspired internationalization include faculty exchange; building of an elementary school in a rural part of Ethiopia; a massive book drive for the library of Axum University; research opportunities for MSCD faculty; a $272, 422 grant from the State Dept to take a group of 15 MSCD students for a two-month study-abroad experience in Ethiopia; MSCD President delivering commencement address at Axum University. Additional partnership projects and initiatives are under discussion.