Who We Are

International Affairs is a guide and champion for global engagement at the University of North Texas. It is our mission to support the university's global endeavors and international initiatives. We provide expertise and assistance to faculty, staff, students, and administrators in support of expanding the university’s global standing. Each of our units is comprised of experts in their fields including Study Abroad, International Student and Scholar Services, Global Partnerships and Engagement, Programming and Communication, Recruitment, and Academic English. International Affairs works collaboratively across UNT to foster our position as the gateway to the globe. Start Local. Go Global.

DOWNLOAD FULL VPAA PLAN International Affairs

Our Strategic Goals (2026–2030)

Students pose in front of Hurley Admin Building with flags and traditional dress from around the world

Expand global learning and career readiness for all students

Develop
International Affairs will expand curricular and co-curricular global learning opportunities, grow study abroad participation by 5% annually, and launch the Global Career Summit as a signature workforce-readiness event. These efforts ensure students across all disciplines can access globally informed learning, international career preparation, and the durable cross-cultural skills that employers in the DFW region and beyond increasingly seek.

Our Implementation Priorities

  • Host the inaugural Global Career Summit and restructure the UNT Global Career Accelerator as a credit-bearing global learning experience: The Global Career Summit will launch in Fall 2026, convening campus and employer stakeholders to build workforce-ready global competency for UNT students. A replicable first-to-sophomore faculty-led study abroad program focused on career exploration will deploy its first class in Summer 2027. The UNT Global Career Accelerator will expand access and enrollment through credit-bearing offerings in collaboration with at least two UNT colleges each summer. 

  • Expand transnational education engagement and broaden the international enrollment pipeline: Transfer articulation agreements and a campus-wide transnational education planning group will support off-site curriculum delivery through a global regional hub. Active recruitment campaigns targeting three DFW community college systems will launch by Summer 2026, with two out-of-state pathways active by Fall 2027. 

  • Enhance international student onboarding and strengthen retention: Migration to a new learning management system by Fall 2026 will modernize the pre-arrival and onboarding experience for incoming international students. In coordination with Student Success, International Affairs will implement proactive support strategies designed to strengthen international student retention across cohorts. 

  • Build UNT's presence in the DFW global community and advance international research partnerships: Engagement with the DFW World Affairs Council, Embassies, Consular Corps in Texas, and multinational enterprises will raise UNT's global profile. A curated resource list of North Texas global companies will support faculty and student curriculum and research partnerships. 

Core Metrics

1st to 2nd Year Retention
+

UNT Baseline (2024/25): 77% | UNT Target (2030): 90%

Unit contribution to achieving targets:

  • Global cohort programming and enhanced international student orientation and onboarding strengthen retention among international student cohorts.
4-Year Graduation Rate
+

UNT Baseline (2024/25): 42% | UNT Target (2030): 65%

Unit contribution to achieving targets:

  • Work-integrated global learning and career-aligned study abroad support on-path progression for students.
6-Year Graduation Rate
+

UNT Baseline (2024/25): 61% | UNT Target (2030): 80%

Unit contribution to achieving targets:

  • N/A
Annual R&D Expenditures
+

UNT Baseline (2024/25): $124M | UNT Target (2030): $250M

Unit contribution to achieving targets:

  • International research collaboration, sponsored project co-submissions, expanded Fulbright support, and global research mobility increase research productivity and external funding.
Doctoral Degrees Awarded
+

UNT Baseline (2024/25): 286 | UNT Target (2030): 300

Unit contribution to achieving targets:

  • N/A
Time to Value
+

UNT Baseline (2024/25): 6 years | UNT Target (2030): Decrease time for programs over median

Unit contribution to achieving targets:

  • Career-integrated global learning, global alumni networks, and the Global Career Summit accelerate students' connections to career-ready outcomes.

Emergent Metrics

Important Dimensions of Our Success that Require New Approaches

Post-graduation placement:
+

Percentage of graduates placed in high-demand occupations or graduate and professional programs

Tracks OPT employment and global career placement outcomes for international students; contributes data to university-wide post-graduation placement efforts.

Career-aligned learning:
+

Percentage of academic programs that integrate internships, industry-sponsored projects, or other work-integrated learning experiences

Tracks study abroad participation, Global Career Summit attendance, and global internship placements as career-aligned learning indicators.

Awards and recognitions:
+

Prestigious awards, exhibitions, and performances achieved by our students, faculty, staff, and alumni

Tracks Fulbright nominations and awards, prestigious international grants, and global recognitions achieved by UNT students and faculty.

Innovation and entrepreneurship:
+

New ventures, startups, and public impact projects launched by students, faculty, and alumni

Facilitates international collaborations and global grant activity that support faculty and student innovation across disciplines.

Student and alumni engagement:
+

Perceptions of how well UNT prepares graduates to pursue lives of meaning and purpose

Tracks international alumni engagement through cohort development and global alumni groups across five countries of origin by 2028.

Unit Level Metrics

 

  • Study abroad participation growth rate (target: 5% annual increase): Reflects access to globally informed learning and career readiness, and tracks progress toward UNT's goal of expanding experiential global opportunities for all students.