Initiative 4
27% increase in number of international students and 14% increase in number of domestic minority students since 2015
48 countries and 44 US states represented by undergraduate student body
U.S. News and World Report’s ranking of schools with the most international students (2017, 2018)
Toward the goal of better reflecting the rich mosaic of the body of Christ, Gordon also implemented a board-approved Shalom Statement that expresses the College’s commitment to a “right ordering of relationships and actions resulting in the affirmation of human dignity and the flourishing of community.”
Gordon has increased global connections and intentionally formed partnerships with churches and organizations in the region, across the country, and around the world. The creation of our Multicultural Initiatives Office (MIO) and strengthening of existing initiatives like the Clarendon Scholars Program and ALANA (which supports our Asian, Latino, African and Native American students) have also had a positive impact in this important area. Recent events around the country, and even on our campus, have highlighted the importance of doing even more – and this important work has continued most recently with the able work of the InterVarsity Institute in developing a plan to help the College make greater progress in this area. Faculty have also worked diligently to review and assess the entire core curriculum to ensure diverse representation and perspectives are presented to all students. This important work will continue.
The wider political climate has made it more difficult for nearly every institution of higher learning to attract and retain international students. Still, the College has significantly grown international enrollment, with 13% of undergraduate students now holding a foreign passport or coming from overseas. The College also continues to build ties with strategic regions, with a special emphasis on Brazil, with a special dual-degree program coming online this summer in partnership with Mackenzie Presbyterian University, the largest private institution in South America. Similar initiatives are underway in Ghana as well.
THE STARTING POINT: ORIGINAL GOALS
STANDOUT ACHIEVEMENTS
DISAPPOINTMENTS
ALL SEVEN STRATEGIC INITIATIVES
Explore the following pages for detailed updates related to each of the seven initiatives: