FABI Mission Statement: Internationalization, Travel and Social Justice at USF

The University of San Francisco is a premier Jesuit, urban university with a global perspective that educates leaders who will fashion a more humane and just world. In furtherance of this mission, the University of San Francisco recognizes and supports the global expertise of members of the USF community and encourages the international engagement of its faculty, staff, and students in support of the university’s mission and values.

The University of San Francisco recognizes the necessity of internationalization, which comprises three components: outbound (study abroad, research abroad, internships abroad, global relationships); inbound (international students and faculty coming to USF); and on campus (curriculum, mission, community engagement). Internationalization is a foundational pillar of the university and is essential for the development of the values and sensitivity necessary to employ a diversity of perspectives, experiences and traditions to be men and women for others and true global citizens focused on the common good. The University of San Francisco strongly encourages students and faculty to engage in education and work abroad, and equally supports the integration of international students and faculty into the USF community.

To fully support the mission of the university, USF is committed to pursuing initiatives focused on a global, social-justice centered approach to teaching, research, and service. Our goal is to encourage and support global engagement both within our local communities and in communities around the world. To achieve these goals of internationalization, our priorities are to:

• Provide strong institutional support for international research, teaching, and service endeavors of our faculty, staff and students, particularly in marginalized and developing areas of the world and for issues focused on global justice;
• Establish and maintain strong international partnerships to expand our global network of justice advocates;
• Diversify experiences for students, faculty, and staff to engage in issues of internationalization on-campus, in our local communities, and abroad; and
• Make the University of San Francisco a leader in internationalization and global education, as well as a destination and welcoming space for international students, faculty and visitors from around the world to contribute to our diversity, global perspective, and mission to foster a holistic, interdisciplinary community working for justice.

Achievement of these goals requires the commitment of all members of the USF community. Under the guidance of the Provost’s Office, the Center for Global Education, and the Faculty Advisory Board of Internationalization, USF will strive to achieve its goal of internationalization in order to educate leaders who will fashion a more humane and just world.