Maricopa Community Colleges has unveiled the new Center for Global Engagement, housed at the system’s District Office. The newly formed center will continue initiatives previously led by the system’s International and Intercultural Education Office. The center’s new identity reflects its expanding role in creating global learning opportunities for students of all backgrounds, while staying true to its mission of integrating international perspectives into academic and co-curricular programs.

“Global education matters more than ever,” said Jen Sydow-Madoski, program manager for the Center for Global Engagement. “In today’s interconnected world, a growing share of learners are joining the global workforce, which makes our efforts all the more important. The Center for Global Engagement focuses on developing a greater sense of global awareness, introducing students to new perspectives, issues, and even communication skills, ultimately preparing our graduates to participate in the global economy.”

Helping students go global 

Formerly known as the Office of International and Intercultural Education, the new Center for Global Engagement will focus on educating active global citizens through study abroad programs and assisting international students with financial aid, maintaining their F-1 visa status, and adjusting to campus life.

By the numbers 

During the spring 2025 semester, Maricopa Community Colleges saw a 5.4% increase in F-1 international student enrollment over the previous semester, supporting over 600 students from 95 countries. Additionally, the system welcomed more than 600 non-F1 international students, bringing the semester total to upwards of 1,200 international learners, who took classes both in-person and online.

This past summer, 131 students expanded their worldviews through transformative study abroad learning experiences. Led by seasoned faculty members, programs ranging between one and four weeks in length were held in Italy, the Czech Republic, Ireland, England, Japan, Africa and Mexico, allowing students to experience new cultures while earning college credit.

A global learning hub 

In addition to supporting students, the Center for Global Engagement works regularly with faculty to strengthen international ties through various professional development programs, including the system’s longstanding partnership with the Universidad de Guanajuato, located in Guanajuato, Mexico. Each year, faculty members are selected to participate in a three-week professional development program focused on curriculum innovation, sharing best practices, and integrating global concepts into their courses.

“A global mindset starts in the classroom, which is why we have been intentional in collaborating with international institutions,” continued Sydow-Madoski. “The Mexico Faculty Development Program is just one example of how we are building an international community of educators, integrating global perspectives into teaching materials and our classrooms.”

This article was originally published here.