Contribution of International Development Activities to Comprehensive Internationalization of U.S. Public Universities

In the era of globalization, increasing interdependence between countries' economic, political, and social processes creates global challenges and opportunities. Extreme variations in the international distribution of wealth have elevated developed countries as important players in tackling the world's biggest issues, such as poverty, climate change, and conflicts. However, the magnitude of the global challenges facing the planet does not allow for just a single country or organization to address them. U.S. colleges and universities have a long history of working in developing countries to bring unparalleled resources and experiences in science, technology, and teaching, which contribute to tackling global challenges. The study draws on qualitative data to investigate the role of international development in comprehensive internationalization of U.S. public universities. Analysis of the study data reflects that U.S. public universities engage in international development activities to advance their teaching, research, and service missions.