Internationalization on college campuses has accelerated in recent years, according to many respondents to the 2016 Mapping Survey from the American Council on Education’s Center for Internationalization and Global Engagement (CIGE). The survey assesses the state of internationalization at American colleges and universities, analyzes progress and trends over time and identifies future priorities.

“Comprehensive data on the institutionalized practice and policy of internationalization—which Mapping provides—uncovers the realities of how internationalization is playing out on campuses and gives a detailed picture of how trends progress over time,” said ACE President Molly Corbett Broad. “Most vitally, I think it helps institutions ask—and answer—‘Where do we go from here?’”

Of the 1,164 survey respondents, 246 were from associate degree-granting institutions. Sixty-five percent of those respondents said that internationalization has accelerated at their institution. But it’s still not where it needs to be: 46 percent of those respondents said the level of internationalization at their institutions is “low” or “very low.” Sixty-six percent said internationalization and related activities are not in the top five priorities in their college’s current strategic plan, and 64 percent said internationalization is not part of their institution’s mission statement.

Why are community colleges internationalizing?  According to respondents, it’s mainly because of the need to prepare students for a global era and to diversify students, faculty and staff. And the highest priorities in terms of internationalization on campus have been to attract international students, increase study abroad and internationalize curriculum.

“What is clear from this report is that internationalization is not a passing fad,” said Bev Hudson, president and CEO of Navitas North America, a sponsor of the report.

The full report and data tools can be found here.

How is your campus working toward internationalization? Sound off at LinkedIn.