Global Challenges in U.S. Higher Education: Minorities and Underrepresented Groups in International Affairs and the Foreign Policy Establishment Mark Chichester, IIPP Soji Akomolafe, LeMoyne-Owen College Duke University, Jan , 2003
Statement of Problem Link enrollment in international education to underrepresentation in foreign policy establishment The role of ethnic politics in foreign policy Systemic shortage of minorities in foreign policy establishment
Definition of Terms International education: A contextual definition Group classifications
Defining International Education College curricular studies in the following areas –International studies Foreign policy, strategic studies, international organizations, diplomacy, international business, etc. –Area studies Africa, Asia, South America, Europe, Middle East –Foreign languages –Overseas studies Study abroad, internships, exchange programs, etc.
Group Classifications African American: A person having origins in any of the black racial groups in Africa, excluding persons of Hispanic origin Hispanic: A person of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, central or south American or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race Asian: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of the far east, southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent or the pacific islands. This are includes for example, Japan, China, India, Korea, the Philippines and Samoa Native American: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of north America and maintaining cultural identification through tribal affiliation or communication recognition Arab Americans: A person having origins in North Africa or the Middle East excluding the state of Israel
Significance of Study Understand the causes and effects of minority shortage in international education Provide the foundation for future planning and effective deployment of resources
Purpose of the Study Draw attention to the paucity of statistical data on minorities in international education Stimulate an empirical analysis based on collection and interpretation of statistical data inspire college administrators to strengthen their institutional commitment to increasing minority participation in international and foreign area studies
Paucity of Literature: A Systemic Problem Extracting statistical data related to minority enrollment Review of selected statistical data: NCES, ACE, IIE Data related to study abroad and foreign languages Data related to international studies and area studies
Observations Absence of category for international education Difficulty in extracting minority enrollment in international education
Recommendations Undertake a comprehensive study of minorities in international education Undertake a related study of minorities in the foreign policy establishment Leverage existing research infrastructure, expertise (i.e., Do not reinvent the wheel) Include minority perspective in the process of addressing this task