August 07, 2025
SIU Carbondale enhances efforts to recruit, support international students
As part of the Imagine 2030 strategic plan, SIU Carbondale has enhanced its efforts to recruit and retain international students.
“As is the case with other student populations, enrollment of international students is a highly competitive enterprise,” said Peter Li, director of the Center for International Education. “We need to reach students where they are and communicate the unique opportunities we can offer to them, including hands-on experiences, world-class research and a high return on investment. To that end, we are actively building collaborations to expand our global footprint and attract students through trusted institutional networks.”
In the past two years, the university has established partnerships with more than 60 international institutions, including high schools, colleges and universities. It is also developing more joint academic programs with universities in other countries, including 2+2, 3+1 and other models. These models provide a seamless pathway for students to earn bachelor’s degrees from their home institutions and SIU Carbondale.
To expand SIU’s presence in global markets, the university has entered into partnerships with numerous international student recruitment agencies and is in discussions with others.
“Recruitment is only the first step in the student journey,” Li said. “We’ve also strengthened our engagement efforts across the full student lifecycle.”
Those efforts include:
- Improved pre-arrival advising such as virtual information sessions, visa support and peer mentorship programs.
- Expanded international student orientation and onboarding to help students transition successfully into campus life.
- Investing in intercultural learning programs, mental health services, academic support and professional development opportunities tailored to international students.
This fall, SIU expects to do better in international student enrollment than predicted national trends.