Abstract:

Western New Mexico University (WNMU) is a comprehensive, regional University located in Silver City, New Mexico. It was established by the Territorial Legislature of New Mexico in the spring of 1893, as one of the Normal Schools of New Mexico with a focus on preparing teachers. Currently, WNMU provides certificate, associate, baccalaureate and Masters level programs, in a variety of disciplines. WNMU serves more than 3,000 students with a dual community college and University mission. WNMU’s is considered a Hispanic Serving Institution with a School of Education committed to the recruitment and retention of international students.

The WNMU School of Education (SOE) developed Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with several Universities in Mexico. The Tecnológico de Monterrey campuses in Ciudad Juárez and Chihuahua, Mexico were two of the first Universities to sign these memoranda. The Tecnológico de Monterrey is a Mexican private educational institution that was founded in 1943. At the present time it has campuses distributed throughout the country, and 33 academic centers in Mexico and other Latin American countries; it also has international offices in North America, Europe, and Asia.

This paper and presentation will describe the factors affecting the success of these collaborations between a regional, comprehensive institution in the United States and Universities in Mexico. The University infrastructure, academic programs, student support, administrative support, faculty buy-in, and online technology needed to make this successful for students will be described and examples will be given.

Keywords:

International Projects, New Experiences in International Cooperation, The Internationaization of Universities.