Dear Pomona College Faculty and Staff,
Engaging with the wider world has always been a crucial part of the Pomona experience. Consider just how much of what we do here every day, throughout the curriculum and well beyond, has an international aspect.
Now we have an opportunity to coordinate, connect and clarify our wide-ranging global efforts. The aim is to bring our liberal arts education to life in ways that reach beyond disciplinary and national borders and better equip our students to engage with people and organizations worldwide.
By joining the American Council on Education (ACE) Internationalization Laboratory, the College will receive customized guidance and insight as we create a pathway that will be uniquely Pomona. This two-year effort, which we will call the Global Pomona Project, will help guide the implementation of the College’s Strategic Vision and the development of the Center for Global Engagement, an important building project that will in time replace Oldenborg Center for Modern Languages and International Relations. More simply, it will shape Pomona’s role in the world for decades to come.
I’ve brought together a group with representation from across the College to lead this project, and we seek—and need—help and input from our entire community. The Global Pomona Project launches in earnest later this month with a virtual campus visit from Kara Godwin, director for internationalization at ACE, on January 27-28—we hope to follow up with an in-person launch for the community February 10-11.
The centerpiece of the February ACE visit will be a public presentation—either in person or on Zoom. Kara Godwin will also meet with campus offices, students, faculty and the Global Pomona Project Steering Group.
At this time of global challenge and change, this is an opportunity for every one of us to help shape Pomona’s place in the world for our students and entire community. Please join us in making the most of it. More details on our goals are found below.
With best wishes,
Gabi