Framework for Comprehensive Internationalization (FCI) |
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Coming Soon!
An updated tool to benchmark your institution
CCID is committed to providing its member colleges with tools that can help institutions establish a baseline of activity and goals for improvement.
A key tool is the Framework for Comprehensive Internationalization (FCI), which has been produced by CCID specifically for community colleges. The FCI tool is informed by research on comprehensive internationalization and guided by an intention to provide institutions with a process that is both simple and collaborative.
The FCI tool seeks to establish an institutional profile by providing descriptions of institutional stages of development in broad categories and more specific subcategories. When an institution is finished using the tool, it will have a simple profile establishing strengths and opportunities which can be used to easily establish institutional goals.
A key tool is the Framework for Comprehensive Internationalization (FCI), which has been produced by CCID specifically for community colleges. The FCI tool is informed by research on comprehensive internationalization and guided by an intention to provide institutions with a process that is both simple and collaborative.
The FCI tool seeks to establish an institutional profile by providing descriptions of institutional stages of development in broad categories and more specific subcategories. When an institution is finished using the tool, it will have a simple profile establishing strengths and opportunities which can be used to easily establish institutional goals.
How the FCI helps colleges
Create a framework
for comprehensive internationalization specific to community colleges or similar international institutions. |
Strengthen knowledge sharing
and capacity building between institutions - both American and international. |
Recognize specific expertise
and capacity development of member colleges through a systematic transparent process. |
Who is the Framework for?
First and foremost, the FCI tool is intended to be used by - and for - individual community, technical and vocational colleges. The FCI tool can be used as part of an overall institutional analysis (Self-Study, Accountability, Goal Setting).
Some institutions may already be on a journey to increase the level and quality of activity in international education and measuring progress in the form of metrics. In such a case, the metrics can be used to inform the FCI tool at the institution's discretion.
However, many institutions are simply beginning conversations. The FCI tool is ideal for use with institutional teams and groups of decision-makers who are open to having catalytic conversations that will stimulate deep reflection and potential change.
CCID has a recommended procedure for institutions in this situation, however the FCI tool can be used in any way the institution would like to use it. The key is that the institution be committed to openly assessing where its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats lie, and be prepared to have discussion and debate in order to reach consensus.
Some institutions may already be on a journey to increase the level and quality of activity in international education and measuring progress in the form of metrics. In such a case, the metrics can be used to inform the FCI tool at the institution's discretion.
However, many institutions are simply beginning conversations. The FCI tool is ideal for use with institutional teams and groups of decision-makers who are open to having catalytic conversations that will stimulate deep reflection and potential change.
CCID has a recommended procedure for institutions in this situation, however the FCI tool can be used in any way the institution would like to use it. The key is that the institution be committed to openly assessing where its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats lie, and be prepared to have discussion and debate in order to reach consensus.
How does it work?
Using the Framework for Comprehensive Internationalization (FCI) for Institutional Analysis
While community colleges are encouraged to adapt to their local context and processes, the FCI tool has been organized with the following procedures in mind:
While community colleges are encouraged to adapt to their local context and processes, the FCI tool has been organized with the following procedures in mind:
- Step 1: Broad stakeholder involvement
- Step 2: Orientation to the FCI
- Step 3: Intentional teambuilding
- Step 4: Consensus building
- Step 5: Gap analysis
- Step 6: Goal setting
- Step 7: Executive Summary
Your institution can follow those steps on your own, or engage with CCID for our consultation and support.
Frequently Asked Questions
As a multi-campus district, we have institutions in various stages of internationalization. Can we use the FCI Tool?
Individual colleges and use the FCI alone or in concert. A district consensus might arrive at very different conclusions than a campus consensus, however, so CCID recommends that individual campuses complete the FCI first, before attempting to build district-wide teams.
At my campus, I am the only person who is responsible for or prioritizes international education? Can I use the FCI Tool individually?
The FCI is flexible and will prove very valuable, whether completed alone or as part of a team. A team of committed stakeholders, however, accelerates initiating institutional change.
Some of your terms are unfamiliar to us (i.e. global competency). Other terms simply do not apply. For example, we have an Intensive English Program, not English for Academic Purposes. What do we do?
By all means, please substitute terms CCID has used for those used in your institution. Familiarity with terms and activities enhances the quality of the results. If you are unsure what a term means, please contact CCID and we will work with you to explain the meaning.
There are elements of the FCI that do not apply to my institution. Doesn’t that put us at a disadvantage compared to other institutions?
The FCI has no relationship to comparisons with other institutions. Simply circle Not Active and move to the next category.
Does the FCI remain a static framework? How often should an institution revisit the process of institutional assessment?
The first version of FCI was published in September 2012. CCID updated the FCI based on new research, institutional feedback and emerging issues. Version 1.5, published in May 2015, is the result of such a review. CCID is currently working on plans to re-examine the tool to maintain its relevancy.
An institution may choose to use the FCI has frequently or infrequently as desired. The FCI is based on principles of continuous improvement, however, and CCID recommends that the updated tool be used as part of annual planning along with the annual reporting requirements for the Accountability System should institutions choose to participate.
An institution may choose to use the FCI has frequently or infrequently as desired. The FCI is based on principles of continuous improvement, however, and CCID recommends that the updated tool be used as part of annual planning along with the annual reporting requirements for the Accountability System should institutions choose to participate.
How does CCID support the Collaborative Discovery component of the System for Comprehensive Internationalization?
CCID designs programs and services to bring member colleges together for knowledge sharing and professional development.
Online, CCID offers members the CCIDXchange weekly messages, the International News quarterly publication, and CCID Learning Communities.
Offline, each February CCID’s Annual Conference brings practitioners together from around the globe to explore partnership opportunities and engage in peer-driven knowledge sharing. Most of these programs are available to members only, so consider how a small investment could catalyze your internationalization efforts.
Online, CCID offers members the CCIDXchange weekly messages, the International News quarterly publication, and CCID Learning Communities.
Offline, each February CCID’s Annual Conference brings practitioners together from around the globe to explore partnership opportunities and engage in peer-driven knowledge sharing. Most of these programs are available to members only, so consider how a small investment could catalyze your internationalization efforts.
How does CCID recognize institutions engaged in the System?
When CCID is informed of a college’s progress using the Framework, it will publish the college’s accomplishment in the CCIDXchange, on our blog, and add the institution to the FCI webpage. Additionally, CCID is exploring methods to recognize the institutional progress of its members.
Access the Framework for Comprehensive Internationalization
CCID expects to publish an updated version of the Framework for Comprehensive Internationalization in late 2026.
Make sure you're subscribed to one of our mailing lists so you receive an alert as soon as the FCI is released.
Make sure you're subscribed to one of our mailing lists so you receive an alert as soon as the FCI is released.
