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Cornell University

Global Hubs

Hubs Selection Criteria

How We Chose Our Global Hubs Partners

Global Hubs partnerships are designed to be long-term, university-wide, reciprocal relationships with peer universities in a small number of strategic locations worldwide. These partnerships enable us to support faculty collaborations, student exchanges, and alumni integration and build impactful connections to policymakers, NGOs, private sector actors, and local communities. 

The Hubs selection process took two years and included significant cross-college input. The initiative began in the winter of 2019 and continued through the fall of 2021 with data collection, faculty consultations, and discussions with college and school senior leadership about faculty and student interests. The International Council and the Mario Einaudi Center for International Studies were part of those conversations. 

During the academic year 2021–22, wide-reaching community involvement was sought for feedback on the initiative through a town hall, Faculty Senate presentation, discussions with every college, and faculty surveys. Subcommittees of staff and faculty were established for every potential Hub partner; these committees gathered data that helped decide whether to partner with that institution.

A cross-campus Global Hubs faculty advisory committee was convened in the spring of 2022. This committee, which includes the faculty lead for Global Hubs partner institutions, meets regularly to discuss the initiative's overall strategy and each partnership. Additionally, the Hubs Steering Committee provides leadership and oversight for the initiative. 

Global Hubs formally launched in the fall of 2022 through foundational processes and activities, including necessary agreements for MOA, student exchange, and joint seed funding. An inaugural Global Hubs Network Meeting was held on campus and attended by partners from around the world who also participated in the Global Grand Challenges Symposium.

Currently, we work with 19 institutional Global Hubs partners in 11 locations worldwide.

Criteria for Hub Locations and Partners

The list below contains all of the things we took into consideration in selecting partners. Each Hub partner meets the criteria in different ways, strengthening various aspects of our overseas portfolio. The collaborations thus need to be seen both on their own terms and as a whole.

  • Substantial study abroad opportunities exist with well-regarded partner, including semester-long, short-term, and experiential opportunities.
  • Academic calendar alignment and potential for student appeal.
  • Location or partner is known and/or of interest to multiple colleges and schools. A history of collaboration or a set of champion departments and individuals is ideal.
  • Partner institution is peer or best in the region and offers regional opportunities.
  • Collaboration meets Cornell's Guidelines for Ethical International Engagement. 
  • Location or partner expands geographic and other diversity elements, i.e., public/private, disciplinary, region, and language.
  • Leadership we trust and who are interested in exchange and providing resources for like-minded partnerships.
  • Faculty interest and possibilities for research collaborations.
  • Partner capacity for sustained collaborations.
  • Capacity for alumni engagement was an additional consideration.
Stay tuned: We are working on a process for faculty to propose new Hubs partners.