Big Ideas for Global Leadership
Although the definition of global competency is still evolving, the realities of an interconnected world have clearly arrived. The rush to provide international and cultural experiences for all college students, whether on their own campuses or overseas, has become a competitive imperative for American universities, as we seek to prepare the next generation of leaders to flourish in a world economy.
The demand is increasing for graduates who can think critically and creatively, navigate in unfamiliar places, appreciate other cultures, speak multiple languages, and adapt their education to emerging careers. As competition for jobs intensifies, the need expands for professionals who are successful in intercultural, interdisciplinary, diverse, dynamic, and team-driven environments.
More than half of today’s prospective U.S. college students aspire to study abroad—yet only a small percentage actually take advantage of the opportunity, primarily because of costs and concerns about interrupting their degree programs. More than 60 percent of employers polled by the Association of American Colleges and Universities reported that recent graduates do not have the competencies to succeed in a global economy.
Through the Campaign for WSU, we seek to multiply the number of students WSU sends abroad and to establish interdisciplinary academic and research programs designed to expand skills for global business, social, and cultural fluency.
When You Give, Students Win
Her fascination with flight, desire for knowledge, and scholarship support helped land this mechanical engineering student the opportunity to soar. Soon after being named "outstanding sophomore" by the College of Engineering and Architecture, Melissa Street participated in an aerospace research program at NASA's Hypersonic Breathing Propulsion Branch in Langley, Virginia.
The Jacklin Family Honors College Education Abroad Scholarship is among financial assistance Melissa has earned at WSU that is allowing her to explore educational opportunities and to focus on her studies. Through the Jacklin Scholarship, she has studied in both Spain and Wales. "Being able to work in other cultures is vital," Melissa says. "It's important to learn how to understand another person's point of view on an international scale."
Melissa is a peer mentor in the Honors College, a member of the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society, the Society of Women Engineers, and plays piccolo in the WSU marching band. After completing her undergraduate degree in Spanish and mechanical engineering, Melissa hopes to enter a graduate program to learn more about air and space travel and to contribute further to aerospace research.
"Supporting student scholarships is one of the best things you can do," she says. "They're really important to me and have enabled me to succeed without having to worry about the financial burden of school."
