In  2012, an International Education Committee (IEC) was charged to identify and research areas of incredible strengths and areas of possible development. Through this research they developed a ‘Comprehensive Internationalization Plan’ that is set to begin implementation for the 2015-2016 Academic Year.

RCNJ Comprehensive Internationalization Plan – Executive Summary

Strategic Plan for Comprehensive Internationalization (FINAL)

Strategic Plan for Comprehensive Internationalization – Implementation Plan

Each year, in addition to working towards the specific targets, Ramapo College will establish a region of focus for each academic year, as follows:

Year of Latin America (2015-2016)

Year of Sub-Saharan Africa (2016-2017)

Year of Eastern Europe (2017-2018)

Year of East Asia (2018-2019)

Year of Middle East & North Africa (2019-2020)

The International Education Committee (IEC) was charged by the Provost’s office to prepare a definition of a ‘meaningful international experience’. Through this definition, the College will have the ability to expand international academic opportunities, ensure greater consistency in the outcomes of these experiences and support academic programs interested in inclusion of these activities within their curricular program design. Throughout the process to develop this document the IEC consulted with faculty in a variety of ways. Through review of this feedback, the IEC felt that it is most important for specific activities to be defined and designed within each academic program to ensure practice and theoretical relevance. The idea is not that EVERY course includes a MIE, but that the program include a MIE as an integral part of the entire academic program as a graduation requirement. Therefore, what follows is general information on meaningful international experiences.

Ramapo College has always held international education as core principle. In the development of the College’s current Strategic Plan, designed by a task force comprised of faculty, staff, students and trustees, there is specific mention about the importance of international education. The Ramapo College Strategic Plan, (Achievement Target 1.1.2) calls for ‘50% of undergraduate major programs [to] require successful engagement by graduation in a meaningful international experience’.  Over the last few years, this was defined simply as any academic program that has been approved through the Roukema Center for International Education. Any participant received transcription in the INTD 011 – International Academic Experience – course (0 credits) in order to have this integrate with the degree audit process. Therefore, any program that currently required such a requirement could easily identify a student’s satisfaction of said requirement. Therefore, the International Education Committee has prepared the following document to help guide the disciplines on what is a ‘meaningful international experience’ (MIE), through this expanded definition.

Full document: Meaningful International Experience (*pdf)

Scholarship Report – FY12

Scholarship Report – FY13

Scholarship Report – FY14

Scholarship Report – FY15

Scholarship Report – FY16

Faculty & Staff Survey on International Education – Summary

Student Survey on International Education – Summary

Coming Soon!!!

Coming Soon!!!

International Education Committee

Charge – The International Education Committee (IEC) is an advisory body to the Roukema Center for International Education (RCIE).  It is charged to uphold the mission for international education at Ramapo College, to “. create a holistic educational experience that enables our students to become literate, intentional and empowered global citizens,” and to enhance commitment to and help realize the vision of the “four pillars” of international, intercultural, interdisciplinary, and experiential learning at Ramapo. 

Consistent with the overall College mission and Strategic Plan, the IEC recommends both immediate and long-term directions for the growth and development of international education at Ramapo and advises on fostering a campus climate conducive to an interest in international affairs and international education.  The IEC shall foster collaboration with the Academic Affairs and Student Affairs Units, the Cahill Center for Experiential Education, the Center for Student Involvement, campus diversity structures, and Enrollment Management. According to shifts in college needs, interests, and resources, other units may be engaged. 

Expectations of the IEC include, ensuring:

• Strategic planning for internationalization;
• objectives and means for international student and scholar recruitment;
• international events, awards/recognitions, and honor society;
• outreach and community engagement;
• initiation and/or elaboration of international linkages;
• new programmatic initiatives; and
• integration of study abroad and off-campus programs in a cohesive scheme of international and multicultural education, consistent with academic units’ learning goals.

Membership – Ruma Sen (Chair; DAC Liaison); Gladys Torres-Baumgarten (ASB Liaison); Natalia Santamaria-LaOrden & Jennifer Mazza (AIS Liaisons); Renata Gangemi (CA Liaison); Ann DeGroot (SSHS Liaison); Seung-Sup Kim (TAS Liaison); Michelle Johnson & Peter Rice (Enrollment Management Liaisons); Donna Lane-Baur (Student Affairs Liaison); currently vacant  (Ramapo Foundation Liaison); Ben Levy (Roukema Center Liaison)

Study Abroad Committee

Charge – The Study Abroad Committee advises on matters pertaining to credit-bearing study abroad and domestic off-campus programs, and some non-credit international and off-campus student programs. (“Study Abroad” is used as an inclusive shorthand.) The advisory purview includes ensuring: 

• the study abroad programs are integrated in the curriculum and have academic merit;
• that a substantive and geographic complement of programs is offered;
• a variety of language-intensive and Anglophone courses and programs;
• optimal “fit” of provider programs to the Ramapo curriculum;
• maximizing breadth, quality, and accessibility of programs on offer; and
• promotion of study abroad among students and colleagues.

The Study Abroad Committee reviews proposals for courses or programs made by faculty on the RCIE Program Proposal Form.  Proposals are approved by the author(s)’s convening group(s) and dean(s) before they reach the Committee.  The Committee’s review results in a positive or negative recommendation to the Academic Review Committee (ARC), or a recommendation to the author(s) to revise the course or program.  Committee members should be mindful of limitations and opportunities that might pertain to the course venue. Revision might be recommended, for example, in order to adapt pedagogy to site, enhance experiential components, or adjust operational elements of the program or program infrastructure, typically to assure appropriate management of risk, cost effectiveness, and compliance with professional “best practice.” Committee members shall recuse themselves from decisions regarding proposals that they have written. Furthermore, it is ethically incumbent upon all Committee members to make full disclosures with regard to potential conflicts of interest between themselves and the applicant. In some instances the Committee may recommend recusal. 

In addition, the committee will review any student Petition Applications for student participation in a program not currently on the list of Approved Study Abroad Programs by Ramapo College, according to the criteria listed above. 

Program providers will be selected by RCIE and approved by the Study Abroad Committee for recommendation to the Provost, according to professional best practice as codified by the Forum on Education Abroad (www.forumea.org) and NAFSA (www.nafsa.org). 

Membership – John Peffer (Chair; CA Liaison); Susan Hangen (AIS Liaison); Yan Xu (TAS Liaison); Gladys Torres-Baumgarten (ASB Liaison); Erin Augis (SSHS Liaison); Donna Lane-Baur (Cahill Liaison); Carla Kozen (Center for Student Success Liaison); Ben Levy (Roukema Center Liaison)

Study Abroad Scholarship Committee

Charge – To ensure a fair, just and equitable process and distribution of scholarship funds to eligible Ramapo students in their pursuit of international education opportunities. The committee’s functions include: 

• Develop eligibility criteria for scholarship candidates
• Review scholarship applications
• Determine distribution amounts
• Create reporting process for scholarship distribution
• Research and support the advertisement of additional study abroad scholarship resources

Membership – Carla Kozen (Center for Student Success Liaison); JJ Belle (Financial Aid Liaison); Ben Levy (Roukema Center Liaison)