Assessing a Historically Hispanic Serving Institution Internationalization Process

This article presents a qualitative study conducted at aHistorically Hispanic Serving Institution (HHSI) to further the understanding of itsinternationalization decision-making process. The study uses the InternationalizationCube model to review the institution’s internal processes and policies towardinternationalization and assess how its international activities align with itsinternationalization efforts. The Internationalization Cube, an eight-cell model,permits the positioning of Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) based on the analysisof its three dimensions and respective subcategories: policy, support, andimplementation. The International Dimension Index (IDI) and the Item Relevancy Index(IRI) were also used to determine the level of alignment between the HHSI position onthe Internationalization Cube and its international activities. The study finds that theHHSI is on Position 6 on the Internationalization Cube (priority policy, one-sidedsupport, and systematic/structure implementation), and exhibits all the internationalactivities considered indicators of internationalization but attention is needed toforeign language, international students, study abroad, faculty movement and involvementin international projects. The study concludes that an association exists between theinstitution’s position on the Internationalization Cube and its internationalactivities, and adjustments in the institution’s policy, support, and implementationdimensions will be required to advance its position on the Internationalization Cubemaking its internationalization process more sustainable. This study makes acontribution to addressing the need to assess an IHE by presenting a holisticorganizational framework instead of a fragmented international activities organizationalanalysis