The University of Texas at Dallas has expanded its international recruiting, alumni engagement and institutional partnership-building efforts by establishing an office in India that is focused on engaging with potential students throughout Asia.
“We’re already a very global university, but there’s a lot of space across international markets for us to grow,” said Dr. Jennifer Hilton Montero, director for international initiatives in the UT Dallas International Center. “This is about making it intentional and making sure we have representation in those markets.”
The new UTD Asia office in New Delhi, India, is led by Meenakshi Sharma, senior manager of outreach and recruitment for the UTD International Center. Sharma has been recruiting Asian students on behalf of U.S. universities for 13 years. She will work to build UTD’s existing strong brand to all of Asia.
Of the more than 9,400 international students enrolled last year at UTD, nearly two-thirds — 5,994 — were from Asian countries.
“What I think attracts these students is the quality of the education, the faculty and the resources that are available at UT Dallas,” Sharma said.
A key method for building regional relationships and recruiting international students is through events sponsored by EducationUSA, a U.S. State Department initiative. Sharma will attend many of these fairs, as well as visit high schools and network with UTD alumni in Asia.
“We’re already a very global university, but there’s a lot of space across international markets for us to grow. This is about making it intentional and making sure we have representation in those markets.”
Dr. Jennifer Hilton Montero, director for international initiatives in the UT Dallas International Center
“We have a very strong alumni base,” she said. “Hopefully those Comets will not only help develop relationships with high school students, but also help us develop more internships for our current students.”
Hilton Montero noted that most international students who choose UTD enroll in graduate programs. She said the expanded international effort will also focus on promoting UT Dallas to undergraduates.
The University is also ramping up recruitment efforts in other parts of the world. UTD representatives traveled to Ghana, Nigeria and Ivory Coast on Sept. 11 to meet with potential students and partner institutions. Additional international offices may open in Africa and Latin America in the future.
“It’s so much better to meet with prospective international students face to face,” said Dr. Juan González, dean of graduate education, vice provost for global engagement and the Francis S. Johnson Chair for Graduate Education. “UT Dallas has a great story to tell, and we’re trying to reach throughout the globe to share that story.”