Leadership challenges in the sustainable internationalisation of a medium scale state university located in the USA: a case study

Universities have always been international in the sense that the very nature of knowledge imparted by them does not know national boundaries. The connection between university and universalism is self-evident. However, internationalisation as an operational expansion of particular universities beyond national boundaries is a relatively new phenomenon. This case presents some of the leadership challenges associated with the internationalisation of a medium scale teaching oriented state university located in the West Coast, USA. For this university, the priority for internationalisation has moved from the fringes to the very core, bringing with this a range of challenges and opportunities. The senior administration of the Case University needs to reinforce its leadership intent and make certain key strategic policy decisions, if the internationalisation effort is to sustain and grow.