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Appointing a Task Force

Leadership matters. Building awareness and mobilizing gubernatorial and business leadership as well as grassroots and professional support for state initiatives is a key step. Many states have commenced their planning process by appointing a gubernatorial task force. The primary responsibility of such a group is to coordinate and supervise the development of an action plan. Once the plan has been created, the task force coordinates the creation and dissemination of a report (if possible) outlining how to improve international education in the state. The task force then oversees the implementation of the plan and makes policy recommendations to the governor. This group can also help build public support for your initiative and mobilize key constituencies.

The task force composition will vary greatly depending on the political and economic character of a state. If you have the governor's support, his/her office can be instrumental in helping you to locate members for your task force. In choosing members, reflect on the multidisciplinary nature of your initiative and try to find someone to represent each area. You should strive to include representatives from business, policy (state and local), school boards (local or state), higher education, grassroots organizations, and from large ethnic communities in your state.

Michigan, Vermont, and West Virginia have all had recent governor's commissions that have brought together leaders from different sectors to analyze the condition of international education in their state, identify existing resources, and recommend plans for change. To see the results of their efforts, click on their state reports on the right.

Other states have formed other types of advisory committees: