“A primary mission of the California Community Colleges is to advance California’s economic growth and global competencies through education, training, and services …”
–California Education Code Sec. 66010.4.3

A globally competent student
• has knowledge of history and world events
• understands global political, economic and environmental responsibility and interconnectedness
• is able to communicate in one or more foreign languages
• is able to use computer and telecommunications technology
• is able to recognize and manage change
• understands and appreciates common human experiences
• understands cross-cultural differences and issues
• interacts successfully with people of other cultures, backgrounds, countries

Corporate personnel directors say their companies need managers and employees with greater international knowledge and experience abroad than the people they are hiring how. The San Diego Community College District is committed to preparing students for this global workplace.

In the past, foreign language classes added the only international flavor found in the community college curriculum, but this began to change with the infusion of multicultural programs and activities.

Now, there is more interest in and need for global perspectives, and there is more financial support and technical assistance available to community colleges to help in developing and/or expanding international education activities.

The Global Education Network (GEN) is a web of initiatives to weave international and intercultural perspectives into the curricula in California’s community colleges. The goal is to ensure that students have the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values to compete in an international marketplace.

The colleges campuses have GEN-San Diego coordinators to lead the way. They are working on an international studies major, a certificate of completion in international studies, and are also busy investigating study abroad programs.