Global American Higher Education: International Campuses for Competition or Cooperation?

Sponsored by the GW UNESCO Chair in International Education for Development

October 10, 2023

5:10 pm - 7:00 pm

Elliott School Room 113 (1957 E St NW)

The United States leads the world in international university campuses, reaching nearly as many foreign students abroad as at home. These educational outposts offer an unmatched advantage in engaging global audiences. But to what end? As tools of soft power, they better position the U.S. to compete against rivals like China and Russia. As resources for knowledge diplomacy, they enable cooperation with local communities. In either case, their role in spreading American values spurs debate. Are these institutions symbols of American imperialism or a benign way for the United States to engage the world? This lecture will explore American higher education's global footprint and its importance for U.S. policymakers.