Goal

Expand the school experience, inside and outside the walls of MPA, by purposefully adopting a global focus, so that our students are prepared to live and work in an ever more complex and technologically interconnected world. Global studies including world politics, cultures, languages and economics must broaden our students’ understanding of the forces shaping their lives in the 21st century. This requires us to consciously design curriculum, program and community to reflect that world. We must foster an environment that attracts diverse students, faculty and staff, offering a multiplicity of voices, experiences and perspectives so that our students become culturally aware and socially responsible young adults. We will implement ways to connect MPA students to other learning environments worldwide so that they can take advantage of the rich intellectual resources beyond our school walls. We must keep pace with technological innovations so that our students acquire the skills needed to study and work in the global marketplace.

Rationale

Our curriculum and supporting programs already offer students a wide variety of ways to learn about other cultures, perspectives and societies. But technological, political and economic changes have made the world smaller, more competitive and more interconnected. Changing demographics and world economics will require our students to not only think independently and communicate effectively, but also collaborate and compete on a global level, in college and beyond. The “reach” of MPA must be expanded beyond our four walls so that students know more about the world and are accustomed to globally-oriented thinking. Our program must offer relevant and authentic ways to learn about that future world, and give our students an advantageous awareness of the changing global landscape. Learning how to learn in a variety of environments will convey a key advantage to our graduates in rapidly changing times. Learning how to be ethical, socially responsible world citizens will allow them to be the leaders of tomorrow.