I recently had a fascinating conversation with Marty Bennett, Director of International Recruitment and Engagement at the University of Akron, delving into their innovative approach to internationalization.

Marty revealed how Akron is tackling today’s volatile landscape by strategically embracing Transnational Education (TNE). Facing the “domestic demographic cliff” of declining local student pools, Akron is proactively looking abroad not just for inbound students, but for new delivery models.

Marty explained their strategic shift: “We’re looking abroad to really bolster our numbers and diversify not only where they’re coming from, but how we’re delivering our programs–that’s the new move into TNE.” He detailed exciting ventures like an online MBA in India and in-country initiatives in Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Emirates, delivering degree programs abroad.

Beyond recruitment, Marty is a strong advocate for the “full student journey.” He emphasized a philosophy that extends far beyond getting students “in the door.” He stated: “I just wrote a chapter in a book that’s coming out later this year on this very subject: the full lifecycle of the student enrollment management process that so often focuses on just getting them in the door and maybe on retention to the second year, but never all the way through to a successful graduate alum, and that’s the challenge…”

This holistic approach means campus-wide internationalization, ensuring every office—from career services to alumni affairs—understands and caters to the unique needs of international students. Marty shared: “…we were working with every single office that students had touch points with, which is pretty much every office on campus, but focused on the bigger ones like student employment, housing, student affairs, career services, alumni offices, and really framing the conversation on what that international student journey is like–they have different needs that need to be recognized.“

He powerfully summarized this philosophy: “Part of what we need to do is to start with the end in mind.  When we have successful graduating alums as the goal, we have to support students all the way through the experience, not just from the international office but across the campus.”

Marty’s insights perfectly echo Quallege’s core philosophy. We believe international student success demands more than enrollment; it requires a commitment to supporting their entire journey. This holistic vision is essential. At Quallege, we’re actively forging these supportive pathways, ensuring every student thrives from day one to beyond graduation.

What are your thoughts on integrating TNE and a full student journey approach?