In late August, UMB launched an International Operations Initiative. Read the letter below from Roger Ward, Interim Provost, Executive Vice President, and Dean of the UMB Graduate School, for details.

I am delighted to announce that we have launched the UMB International Operations Initiative (IOI) and welcome your enthusiasm and engagement as we move forward.

UMB is an international leader in global health and human services research, education, and service delivery. Working with colleagues and partners in 50+ countries, every school on the UMB campus is working toward the university’s primary goal – improving the human condition globally. Responding to the recommendations from students, staff, and faculty in the campus-wide 2020 UMB Internationalization Report, the goal of the IOI is to bring together the robust infrastructure needed to facilitate, support, and grow all of UMB’s international operations, while also ensuring strong risk management.

We know there is strong demand for timely, standardized, simplified, and accessible support to help the entire UMB community engage globally – whether someone is just contemplating an international activity or whether they are managing long-term international engagements.

We will do this by creating the UMB Global Hub – a “one-stop-shop” - for international operations and engagement where all UMB individuals and entities can readily find the personalized support they need. Much of this support already exists, and some additional and specialized services will be added with a strong focus on customer service.

To ensure the UMB Global Hub and the policies and procedures underlying UMB’s global activities meet the Internationalization Report’s Guiding Principles and UMB Core Values, a dedicated work stream is in place to evaluate IOI’s work through these critical lenses.

The projected timeline for the launch of the HUB is mid-2022.

We welcome engagement in this initiative, which will require contributions from all corners of UMB. Please reach out to Virginia Rowthorn in the UMB Center for Global Engagement if you with any questions or comments you have.

Sincerely,

Roger J. Ward, EdD, JD, MSL, MPA

Interim Provost, Executive Vice President, and Dean, Graduate School

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