The CHEA Award recognizes Georgia Tech’s International Plan which integrates international knowledge and experiences into most undergraduates’ academic majors. The International Plan goes beyond traditional internationalization approaches by tying together second language proficiency, coursework in international subjects, and significant international experiences, and by integrating this package into a student’s academic major to produce graduates able to practice their discipline in a global context.

In a five-year longitudinal study headed by Dr. Jonathan Gordon, Director of the GT Office of Assessment, it was found that students in the International Plan have a significant gain in their intercultural development, much more so than students who just study abroad for one semester or do not go abroad at all.  Intercultural competence helps students to develop critical skills needed to succeed in the global environment, such as the ability to navigate across boundaries, embrace change, work in a diverse environment, and communicate effectively.    

The CHEA Award was established in 2005 to recognize institutions that have been exceptional in developing and applying evidence of student learning outcomes to improve higher education quality and accountability. A committee selected from higher education institutions, accrediting organizations and the public judged the entries on the basis of four award criteria: 1) articulation and evidence of outcomes, 2) success with regard to outcomes, 3) information to the public about outcomes and 4) use of outcomes for educational improvement.

“The award committee was strongly impressed with the strength and creativity of the work of these institutions. They provide excellent examples of effective approaches to the use of student learning outcomes,” said CHEA President Judith Eaton.

Congratulations Georgia Tech’s International Plan!