New center to better address global issues

This fall, ASU Global is taking the next steps in its evolution, aligning its operations more closely with the academic core and research core of the university by merging key functions into the Office of the Provost and Office of the Vice President for Research and Economic Affairs (OVPREA).

ASU Global’s Office of Policy and Strategic Partnerships, along with various outreach and support activities, have recently become part of OVPREA. The Center for Global Education Services – including the Study Abroad Office, International Students and Scholars Office, and the U.S. Passport Acceptance Office – transitioned to the Office of the Provost last summer.

“We’ve been working closely with the global engagement team since the beginning,” says Rick Shangraw, the vice president for research and economic affairs. “So many of ASU’s global projects already link directly to the cutting-edge and purpose-driven research ASU conducts. This is a natural fit, one that will allow ASU to seek new opportunities that better leverage our research capabilities and innovations that will address global challenges.”

Impetus for the change comes, in part, as the result of Anthony “Bud” Rock, the vice president for global engagement, accepting a new position in Washington, D.C., as chief executive officer of the Association of Science-Technology Centers, an organization of science centers and museums
with nearly 600 members in 45 countries, dedicated to furthering public engagement with science through strategic alliances and global partnerships.

Rock also will continue his relationship with ASU as senior adviser for global programs to ASU President Michael Crow.

Crow, Rock and Shangraw recently returned from a trip to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) where an initial agreement was reached to partner with the Ministry of Economy to develop a National Innovation Center in the UAE modeled after SkySong, the ASU Scottsdale Innovation Center.

“ASU Global and global engagement continue to be central to ASU and its mission,” Crow says. “In addition to our longstanding strategic partnerships, we’re continuing to expand our global portfolio with new projects and initiatives built around cutting-edge ASU research that encompasses areas such as climate change adaptation, renewable energy, innovation and entrepreneurship, and educational technology. Given the nature of the challenges we face today, our responses must look beyond national borders and be global as well.”

Inspired by one of the design aspirations for a New American University, the global engagement function was established in 2007 as a means to bring together and focus the many threads of global engagement activities at ASU.