UTC Global Education & Engagement Strategy Task Force
VISION 2030
VISION
To position the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga as a globally recognized public university where international education, intercultural engagement, and strategic global partnerships are fully integrated into the student experience, academic mission, and regional impact.
By 2030, UTC will cultivate globally competent graduates, expand international collaboration, and strengthen its role as a hub for innovation, cultural exchange, and workforce development—locally and globally.
MISSION
Global Education and Engagement Strategy Task Force will develop and implement a comprehensive, university-wide strategy that advances global learning, international partnerships, and intercultural engagement across all areas of UTC.
The task force will align global initiatives with UTC’s strategic priorities in student success, academic excellence, community engagement, and workforce development, ensuring that global education becomes a defining element of the UTC experience.
INTRODUCTION
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga stands at an important moment in its institutional growth and global engagement. As we look toward 2030, we have an opportunity-and a responsibility-to define what it means to be a globally engaged public university in a rapidly changing world. Our students will graduate into intercultural workplaces, interconnected economies, and globally influenced communities. Preparing them for this reality must be central to the UTC experience.
The Vision 2030: Global Education and Engagement Strategy Task Force has been established to guide this work with purpose and clarity. This initiative is not simply about increasing international activity; it is about thoughtfully integrating global learning, intercultural engagement, and strategic partnerships into the academic mission, student experience, and regional impact of UTC. Our goal is to ensure that global education is not a separate initiative, but a defining element of who we are as a university.
Through this task force, we will examine how global engagement can strengthen student success, academic excellence, community connection, and workforce development. We will identify realistic opportunities for growth, strengthen areas where UTC already excels, and develop a clear roadmap that aligns global initiatives with institutional priorities. This work will require collaboration across
colleges, departments, and administrative units, as well as meaningful input from students, faculty, and staff.
Task force will work in (re)alignment with UTC’s broader strategic direction and Vision 2030 priorities. Beginning in Spring 2026, we will conduct a comprehensive assessment of current practices, gather student and campus feedback, and identify key areas for improvement and innovation. By the end of Summer 2026, we will present actionable recommendations and a clear implementation framework. Our goal is to move from assessment to action—launching high-impact initiatives beginning in Spring 2027 that will position UTC as a leader in global education and international student success among regional public universities.
This work will be collaborative, data-informed, and focused on realistic, high-impact change. Most importantly, it will be grounded in the belief that global education strengthens not only individual students, but the entire UTC community and the region we serve.
I am grateful for the leadership and participation of all task force members. Together, we will shape a global vision for UTC that is thoughtful, strategic, and aligned with our mission to prepare students for meaningful lives and careers in an interconnected world.
Takeo Suzuki, Ed.D., PDSO/RO
Senior International Officer and Executive Director—Center for Global Education
STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
1. Expand Global Learning for all Students
Increase access to study abroad, exchange programs, global internships, and globally integrated coursework so that every UTC student has the opportunity to develop intercultural competence and global awareness before graduation.
2. Strengthen Strategic Global Partnerships
Develop and deepen partnerships with universities, industries, and organizations worldwide to support student mobility, collaborative research, innovation, and workforce pathways aligned with UTC’s academic strengths.
3. Enhance International Student and Scholar Engagement
Strengthen recruitment, retention, and holistic support for international students and visiting scholars while fostering meaningful engagement with domestic students and the Chattanooga community.
4. Support Faculty and Staff Global Engagement
Encourage and support faculty and staff in building international research collaborations, globally focused curriculum, teaching exchanges, and experiential learning activities.
5. Align Global Engagement with Regional and Workforce Needs
Connect global education initiatives with regional industry and economic development priorities, preparing UTC graduates to succeed in multinational and multicultural environments and supporting Tennessee’s global competitiveness.
6. Develop a Vision 2030 Implementation Roadmap
Create a clear, measurable roadmap with realistic benchmarks, and timelines that guide UTC’s global engagement efforts through 2030 and position the university as a leader in global education among regional public universities.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
▶ Academic integration: Embed global learning across curriculum and co-curricular life.
▶ Strategic focus: Prioritize highimpact partnerships and initiatives.
▶ Student success: Connect global engagement with career readiness and leadership development.
▶ Institutional impact: Elevate UTC’s visibility and reputation as a globally engaged university.
▶ Access and Engagement: Ensure global opportunities are accessible to all students.
2030 EXPECTED OUTCOMES
▶ A coordinated university-wide global engagement strategy
▶ Increased student participation in global learning experiences
▶ Expanded high-impact international partnerships
▶ Stronger integration of international and domestic student engagement
▶ Enhanced faculty global research and teaching collaborations
▶ Clear metrics demonstrated by UTC’s growth as a globally engaged institution.
LET’S CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
As we move forward with this important work, I would like to emphasize that this effort belongs to the entire UTC community. While the task force will lead the planning and recommendations, meaningful progress will come from broad campus and community engagement.
I welcome conversations, ideas, and feedback from anyone who cares about the future of global education and international student success at UTC—whether or not you are a member of the task force. If you have insights to share, concerns to raise, or simply wish to learn more about this initiative, I encourage you to reach out. I would be glad to meet, listen, and continue this dialogue together.
Thank you for your commitment to our students and to building a globally engaged UTC.
Takeo Suzuki, Ed.D., PDSO/RO Senior International Officer and Executive Director—Center for Global Education
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Email: takeo-suzuki@utc.edu
