Marshall and INTO University Partnerships Agreement Will Bring Students From Across the World to Huntington

HUNTINGTON, WV--(Marketwire - Nov 15, 2012) - Marshall University and INTO University Partnerships today finalized a long-term agreement that is expected to build the institution's global profile and increase international student enrollment at the university.

Marshall and INTO have been developing the partnership for the past two years to build on Marshall's growing international reputation and to bring greater awareness of global cultures to West Virginia's college students and communities.

INTO is a private company that forms innovative joint venture partnerships with leading universities to expand opportunities for higher education, ensuring student success and transforming lives. Students benefit from university-designed programs, university-led teaching, and supportive university environments while enjoying full access to university campus facilities, resources and services. Since 2006, the company has successfully launched partnerships with 17 universities in the United Kingdom, United States and Asia.

"Today we celebrate the start of an innovative program that truly will internationalize Marshall University and our greater Huntington community," said Dr. Stephen J. Kopp, president of Marshall. "Our plan is very progressive and, in many ways, pioneering, because of its potential global influence on our students, our university and our state.

"We are very excited about the outstanding learning and growth experiences we can offer the many international students who will choose to come to West Virginia each year and enroll at Marshall. Perhaps as significant are the diverse learning and cultural enrichment opportunities their involvement at Marshall will create for the thousands of Marshall University students from across our state and nation. This initiative literally will create a multicultural, global village on our Huntington campus."

Marshall becomes the fourth U.S. university to sign on with INTO, following Oregon State University, University of South Florida and Colorado State University.

Marshall currently has an international population of about 400 students from 60 countries. The Center for International Programs was established in 1993 and provides a variety of international programs and support services, including study abroad, cooperative international research, community outreach, the English as a Second Language Institute and immigration assistance for students and employees. The university's annual International Festival is one of the most popular university-sponsored events, drawing thousands of students and community members.

INTO will use its extensive global recruitment network across 75 countries to help enroll 200+ additional students in the INTO Marshall program from key international markets. The first intake of INTO Marshall students will be August 2013. This added international student enrollment will diversify the student body at Marshall while helping to sustain the university's growth and advance the institution's ambitious goals for comprehensive internationalization.

INTO University Partnerships is a member of the American International Recruitment Council, which requires its members to adhere to stringent quality assurance practices for recruitment.

"We are delighted to welcome Marshall to our growing network of leading universities. Marshall offers a small-town, family-like experience that has proven very welcoming to international students. We will build on the strengths of Marshall's existing programs and increase access for international students who want to pursue their higher education goals at Marshall," said Andrew Colin, chairman of INTO University Partnerships. "We have experienced exceptional student performance at our three existing U.S. partner universities, and we look forward to INTO Marshall enjoying similar successes in the coming years."

INTO Marshall will ensure the success of international students by delivering innovative academic preparation programs and personalized support services in a completely renovated, on-campus international study center. Pathway programs combine academic coursework and English language training to help international students adapt to an American university environment and prepare for future success as a degree-seeking student at the university. Marshall University instructors will teach all Pathway programs.

Marshall Provost Dr. Gayle Ormiston said the portfolio of academic Pathway programs has been designed to help accelerate student success as INTO Marshall students adjust to the rigors of the U.S. university environment.

"Our faculty has worked with INTO to design a specific curriculum that will help international students fit well into the culture of Marshall University," Ormiston said. "Our partnership with INTO will enhance Marshall's established international student programs and provide a richer international experience for all of our students, faculty, and staff and indeed the entire community and state."

About INTO University Partnerships
INTO University Partnerships specializes in large-scale transformational partnerships that support and drive leading universities' internationalization goals. Within our university-led partnerships, INTO expands opportunities for international students to pursue higher education, investing in the resources, systems and processes to deliver a first-class student experience. Students benefit from university-designed and -delivered programs, highly supportive learning environments and state-of-the-art learning and living spaces while enjoying full access to their host university's campus facilities, resources and services. Since 2006, INTO has launched joint venture partnerships to internationalize 17 campuses in the UK, the U.S., and Asia. More information can be found at www.into-corporate.com.

About Marshall University
Marshall University, founded in 1837 and located in Huntington, West Virginia, is the state's oldest public institution of higher education. The university was named in honor of John Marshall, the longest-serving United States Chief Justice, who also is regarded as the definer of the U.S. Constitution. Marshall offers 74 undergraduate majors and 52 graduate and professional degrees and has an enrollment of 14,000 students. Marshall University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, and its Thundering Herd athletic teams compete in 15 NCAA Division 1 intercollegiate sports.