The UCF Global Perspectives and International Initiatives will officially join UCF Global on July 1 to help enhance UCF’s international capabilities.
The transition will align the office with the UCF Global mission to serve as the university’s hub for all international activities. It also leverages synergies between key UCF international units, colleges and administration to build and carry out a strategy best suited for rapidly changing global dynamics.
“Moving to UCF Global will help the office support global academic activities across the campus, in any college, department, or program that would benefit from their talent,” said Michael D. Johnson, interim provost and vice president for Academic Affairs.
The new structure will empower GPII to advance its efforts to raise UCF’s international profile and identify international opportunities, such as events, visits, conferences, publications, missions and research, for students and faculty. As part of UCF Global, GPII will also work on UCF’s internationalization of curriculum.
GPII office functions will remain intact under the leadership of Director David Dumke, who will report to UCF Global Associate Vice President Nataly Chandia.
“Working as part of a more cohesive international team enables GPII to better collaborate with all UCF colleges, and to do so in concert with a broader, university-wide international strategy,” says Dumke. “We are happy to be a part of the UCF Global team.”
UCF Global provides access to high impact, international experiences across the UCF and global communities with a commitment to excellence in partnership, innovation and services. Global’s work includes English-language programs, international partnerships, international health and safety, immigration compliance and sustainability initiatives.
GPII, with the mission of sharpening UCF’s international focus, supports international programs and centers, organizes and sponsors interdisciplinary activities, and launches strategic subject-area initiatives.
GPII’s activities include informational events, strategic conferences, collaborative research, publishing and strategic partnership-building.
GPII has launched and co-sponsored several initiatives at UCF, including the Prince Muhammad Bin Fahd Program for Strategic Research & Studies, The India Center, and the Center for the Study of Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery. It also supports unique initiatives such as the Puerto Rico Research Hub and Isle of Man Small Countries Program, and houses the co-curricular counterparts to several academic programs such as Middle East Studies, Terrorism Studies, and Diplomacy.
“UCF Global continues to work to strengthen UCF’s international presence,” Chandia said. “UCF is truly a global campus with a global reach, and as we prepare our students for today’s interdependent world, GPII will add valuable tools to UCF Global that will build upon our success.”
