Global Strategy

In 2014, a Global Strategy Development Taskforce and the Office of Global Strategy and Initiatives (GSI), at that time called the Office of International Affairs, sought to refine Emory’s strategic global priorities. Three questions framed this task:

  • How can Emory prepare its students for success in a globalized world?
  • How can Emory achieve lasting and positive transformation in the world?
  • How can Emory and its community thrive in an increasingly globalized higher education landscape?

The strategy development process was as inclusive as possible: more than 400 individuals were consulted through direct meetings, stakeholder presentations, and surveys.

The resulting global strategy, published as the first incarnation of a living document, was released January 21, 2015.

Meant to serve as a blueprint for Emory’s global engagement, the strategy outlines initiatives designed to equip students to meet the opportunities and challenges of an increasingly interconnected world, empower faculty to lead and influence global scholarship and research, and position Emory as a university known for its global impact.

Emory’s global strategies are designed to be flexible in order to adapt to new opportunities and a changing geopolitical and higher education landscape. Like a traditional strategic plan, however, these strategies are rooted in a review and accountability structure to assess their effectiveness. GSI serves as the central hub of a shared accountability structure, coordinating with other offices, schools, and units to realize strategic initiatives. Some of the specific initiatives are owned by the units most involved in their implementation, yet remain accountable under the overall plan.

GSI and its partners have now spent over a year exploring the initial vision – implementing some pieces, laying the groundwork for others, and winnowing the remainder to deploy resources for maximum impact. For a full overview of the current state of each initiative, read through the updated global strategy.