Mission:
The Berkeley International Office believes that international educational and cultural exchange benefits each individual, the entire campus, and our world. In that spirit, we support the success of all members of the international community and value their intellectual and cultural contributions. Our office provides expert advising, resources, and support to UC Berkeley's international students, scholars, and employees, and the UC campus community.
Strategic Goals (2026-2028)
The following goals and listed strategies to achieve these goals will guide Berkeley International Office with equal priority:
1. Serve as a vital partner to campus and external entities to advance international engagement and advocacy
- Highlight the value, needs, and concerns of the international community
- Provide the campus community with guidance, expertise, and education regarding immigration regulations and policies
- Assist in shaping policies and practices related to campus international initiatives
- Collaborate with campus and external partners as subject-matter experts in international education to advance best practices
2. Enhance the experience of international students, scholars, and employees and campus partners through our services and programs
- Provide a personalized client experience through clear, accurate, and holistic advising
- Maintain a flexible, responsive service model that addresses the changing and diverse needs of our clients
- Utilize data and emerging technologies, including AI, to evaluate and inform our services and programs
- Identify and pursue creative improvements of our services and programs to meet new challenges
- Maintain adaptive protocols to ensure an effective response to emergency situations
- Improve the accessibility and user-friendliness of client-facing materials and procedures
3. Support international students, scholars, and employees to successfully navigate a complex and shifting environment
- Offer programs to encourage connection, inclusion, and belonging among international students and scholars
- Provide clients with the care and resources they need in preparing for and responding to crisis situations
- Support the well-being of international students, scholars, and employees through collaboration with and outreach to campus and external organizations
- Analyze and communicate the impacts of complex regulatory changes, and provide training and resources to clients and campus partners
- Provide timely, tailored advising and resources to support international students’ academics, basic needs, and post-completion goals
4. Optimize staff, financial, and space resources to strengthen organizational effectiveness
- Ensure that staff have the necessary tools, technologies, and training to be successful in their role
- Monitor and adjust staffing levels and workloads to ensure we are meeting the needs of our clients and our staff
- Cultivate a skilled, versatile, and interculturally competent staff who can provide the highest level of service
- Use a holistic approach when focusing on staff retention that addresses their financial, personal, and professional development
- Ensure continuity of services through cross-training, documentation of shared knowledge, and transparency of staff responsibilities
- Maintain a strong financial footing to address short and long-term economic challenges
- Adapt the use of space to address evolving needs
- Promote a balanced, flexible work model that supports staff productivity, collaboration, and well-being