Illinois State University's ability to recruit and retain students has captured media attention across the state.
President Larry Dietz has given interviews to radio networks and newspapers based in Chicago. Last week, the university announced enrollment is up past the 21,000 mark and freshman enrollment is at the highest level in 27 years.
But, despite that, Dietz tells GLT's Sound Ideas, he wants to increase international student population at ISU.
"In the coming months, we'll be launching an initiative to increase the global presence on the campus," Dietz said. "Only two percent of the student population right now are from other countries. At most other institutions our size, that figure is at about five to 10 percent," he added.
Dietz said only a small percentage of ISU students can take advantage of study abroad programs, so the best way to expose the rest of the student population to a diverse culture is to bring foreign students to Illinois State.
"We've been an institution that's made diversity a priority, but we need to step this up," Dietz said. "We need to provide a background for students to work in a global society and a global economy, because that's really what's happening."
Dietz also previewed his upcoming State of the University address, to be delivered Thursday at 2 PM at the Center for the Performing Arts. He said he'll highlight the budget situation and enrollment picture and discuss "metrics versus optics" at ISU. He'll also provide an update on initiatives he outlined in his first such speech two years ago, touching on internationalization, the Center for Civic Engagement, and the Campus Climate Assessment.
