As such, the institution must seek and earn recognition as one of Milwaukee's greatest assets, and it must use its rich and varied resources to help make the Milwaukee metropolitan area a better place to live, work, and grow in the twenty-first century. That charge is the core of The Milwaukee Idea. The programs outlined in this action plan will ensure that all UWM graduates possess the expertise and knowledge vital to our nation's success in the global economy and as a world leader dedicated to peace and justice. By extending its expertise in the international arena to the citizens of greater Milwaukee, UWM will help prepare this citizenry to more effectively guide our nation in its world leadership role.
International education means different things to different people.
In this proposal, it refers to learning about the people, languages, cultures, geography, customs, histories, economies, business practices, and other organizing principles and practices that define other nations. Faculty and staff members in many different administrative and academic units at UWM already possess invaluable knowledge in many of these areas, and they are actively engaged in disseminating their knowledge to UWM students and to people in the larger metropolitan community. The action plan proposes building on these resources and activities, enhancing campus-wide collaboration, eliminating unnecessary duplication of services, integrating units engaged in closely related activities, and thereby expanding the UWM's ability to meet the growing needs of our current and future students, and of the community at large, in a more cost effective and time efficient way. Establish incentives for faculty members to develop new and to improve existing courses that are interdisciplinary, that employ innovative technologies, and that include strong international content. Develop new curricular options for international education, and hire new internationally oriented faculty members to strengthen the international content of courses, events, and outreach activities.