North Carolina Central University

Bridging Global Gaps for Underrepresented Groups Through Internationalization

This historically Black university has a long-standing commitment to global engagement, inspired by its founder’s international travels more than a century ago. Today, this university continues its commitment to comprehensive internationalization by increasing global opportunities for its diverse students, especially Black students, who are severely underrepresented in international work for the United States.

Since it opened its doors over a century ago, North Carolina Central University (NCCU) has been dedicated to building the global marketplace beyond its walls in Durham by empowering its diverse student population. This commitment can be traced back to NCCU’s founder and pharmacist Dr. James E. Shepard, whose travels abroad profoundly influenced his worldview. Through his work as the field superintendent for Work Among the Negroes for the International Sunday-School Association, Shepard embarked on a three-month global tour across Africa, Asia, and Europe, during which he began to conceptualize his vision for NCCU—a public university in north-central North Carolina.

NCCU Founder Dr. James E. Shepard engaged in global travels to Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and Europe.

His international outlook shaped the university’s foundational values and mission and has inspired its strategic direction today through comprehensive internationalization. This approach, as defined by the American Council on Education, involves a deliberate, organized effort to synchronize and incorporate policies, programs, and initiatives that make higher education institutions more globally focused and internationally engaged. For NCCU, that realization of comprehensive internationalization is the Eagle Promise strategic plan with its four pillars: global relevance, on-time graduation, leadership development, and career readiness.

Mattie R. Sharpless graduated from NCCU with a bachelor’s in business education and a master’s in business administration and economics. She became a U.S. Ambassador to the Central African Republic, along with counselor and attaché for numerous nations.

Designated a historically Black college and university, NCCU saw campus internationalization as a means of countering the harrowing statistics of Black students working and studying abroad. Overall, Black students have consistently represented 3% to 5% of all study abroad participants between 2000 and 2022, highlighting a significant underrepresentation in international experiences, exposure, and global opportunities, according to the Open Doors Historical Data Report. Many Black students, particularly males, have had limited opportunities to travel, obtain passports, or even board a plane for the first time. For government agencies, such as the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Agency for International Development, and the Peace Corps, Black people, particularly males, are also among the least represented groups. The U.S. Department of State’s Equal Employment Opportunity data from 2011, for example, indicates that Black people comprised 6% of foreign affairs employees and 8.5% of senior level officials, while the U.S. Government Accountability Office reported a 4% decline in Black representation in the Agency for International Development between 2002 and 2018.

Through its Eagle Promise program, NCCU has embraced its global relevance through various initiatives, including study abroad programs, faculty and student exchanges, and partnerships with international institutions. These efforts aim not only to internationalize the campus but also to prepare students for the global challenges they will face in their careers. The goal is to equip students with the ability to engage in critical inquiry; adapt to diverse environments; and collaborate across socio-economic and political boundaries—qualities highly valued by employers in today’s interconnected world.

The Methodology

One of NCCU’s main goals is to prepare students for a global work environment where adaptability, critical inquiry, and the ability to engage with diverse communities are crucial. The university fulfills this objective through comprehensive internationalization. To do so, effective internationalization cannot be limited to a few isolated offices, specific disciplines, or a select group of students. True engagement requires that internationalization be embedded across NCCU departments and accessible to all students, faculty, and staff to indicate a clear commitment to the complexities of the global community. The university offers this framework through its Eagle Promise program:

One of NCCU’s main goals is to prepare students for a global work environment where adaptability, critical inquiry, and the ability to engage with diverse communities are crucial. The university fulfills this objective through comprehensive internationalization. To do so, effective internationalization cannot be limited to a few isolated offices, specific disciplines, or a select group of students. True engagement requires that internationalization be embedded across NCCU departments and accessible to all students, faculty, and staff to indicate a clear commitment to the complexities of the global community. The university offers this framework through its Eagle Promise program:

Dr. Youssef Carter is a 2009 NCCU history graduate and a University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill assistant professor who is researching Sufism and Islam throughout West Africa and the United States.
  • Eagle Free Passport Program serves as an essential step in NCCU’s internationalization efforts by reimbursing students for the cost of obtaining their passport.
  • Eagle International Travel Grant provides financial support to graduate students and faculty who are presenting their research at international conferences. The grant provides up to $3,500 per participant for conference-related expenses.
  • Collaborative Online International Learning Program fosters partnerships with international institutions, allowing faculty and students to collaborate globally on academic projects.
  • Curriculum-based study abroad programs are offered in several academic departments at NCCU and are part of academic degree journeys. These programs include international activities directly relevant to the students’ fields of study, enhancing their global perspective.

NCCU prepares its students to excel, ensuring they are equipped with the skills and cultural competence to confront global challenges.

NCCU measures the effectiveness and success of its Eagle Promise programming through feedback collected from faculty, staff, and students involved in the university’s various international activities. Key evaluation criteria include the impact on inclusivity, alignment with the Eagle Promise strategic goals, and the participants’ ability to see themselves and their academic goals within an international context. Written evaluations from participants, third-party vendors, and post-program meetings are used to prioritize and refine future initiatives and assess the experiences of groups traveling to different global regions. These observations and commentaries inform the university’s assessment of global exposure and relevance.

The Impact

The impact of comprehensive internationalization for NCCU students is vast, particularly as it relates to leadership and career development. Comprehensive internationalization helps NCCU students develop the skills and aptitude to confront intolerance and work collaboratively with people who look different from themselves to solve problems. As an HBCU with nearly 85% Black students, including individuals from across the African diaspora, the university emphasizes that its students belong in global environments and deserve a seat at the table. This is exactly the type of graduate that many employers seek: someone ready from day one to embrace global challenges in a collaborative and effective manner. Employers in nongovernmental organizations, government agencies, and corporations can confidently hire NCCU graduates knowing they are prepared. A diverse workforce brings diverse ideas and perspectives that are essential for solving today’s complex problems and accurately representing the United States on the world stage.

Key Takeaways

Exposure to international programs for students alone is not sufficient; comprehensive, institutionwide engagement is essential. As North Carolina emerges as a hub for international engagement, NCCU has strategically expanded its visibility and is now actively participating in global conversations, opportunities, and programs. This internationalization ensures that NCCU students, shaped by their diverse upbringings and experiences, are fully equipped to address the complex challenges of the global landscape. At the same time, the institution itself strengthens its global impact and influence, positioning its students and faculty for broader success on the world stage.

“At North Carolina Central University, we have an opportunity to change the narrative as a historically Black college and university by expanding our students’ knowledge and understanding of global leadership and career opportunities and preparing them for these opportunities by encouraging language courses at our institution—foreign language development and skills—and encouraging not only for our faculty and staff to go overseas but also for overseas institutions to be able to come here to NCCU.”

James T. Ham, director for the Office of International Affairs, NCCU

“It is such an honor to be here. I feel like I never left home. The Ubuntu culture of my country is here at NCCU. I am so looking forward to contributing and growing in this community.”

Sharon Aluwani Mukhola, 2024 Foreign Fulbright Fellow from South Africa

“North Carolina Central University has been more than just an academic institution for me; it has been a nurturing ground for personal and professional growth. The university’s emphasis on truth and service, coupled with the myriad opportunities for leadership development and engagement, has prepared me exceptionally well for my career in the foreign service. I am grateful for the experiences and lessons learned at NCCU, and I carry them with me as I continue on my career journey.”

Brandon Evans, NCCU graduate and a 2024 Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Graduate Fellow

“I majored in French at North Carolina Central University. I loved the way Julia Childs spoke French. It was at NCCU where I excelled and received a full scholarship to Brown University.”

André Leon Talley, U.S. fashion journalist, stylist, creative director, author, and editor-at-large of Vogue magazine

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