On 22 June 2026, the Vietnam Association of Community Colleges (VACC) held an online meeting with Harper College (Illinois, USA) to exchange institutional experiences, discuss internationalization strategies, and explore potential areas of collaboration between the two organizations.
Representing Harper College were Dr. Richard Johnson, Director of the Center for Global Education and Engagement, and Ms. Trang Thi Quynh Vu, a Hubert H. Humphrey Fellow at Michigan State University, who facilitated the connection between the two institutions.
Representing VACC were Ms. Nguyen Thi Mai Khanh, Head of VACC’s International Collaboration Board and Deputy Head of the Office of International Cooperation at Tra Vinh University; Dr. Lan Anh Nguyen, International Collaboration Specialist; Ms. Mai Huyen Trang, Training Management Officer at VACC’s Center for Application and Innovation (AIC); and Ms. Nguyen Thi Thao, International Collaboration Officer at Gia Lai College.
During the meeting, Dr. Richard Johnson introduced Harper College as a comprehensive community college located in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. Harper offers more than 100 academic programs, awards eight types of associate degrees and over 40 career-oriented certificates, and serves a diverse student population that includes learners from more than 50 countries. The College provides flexible learning pathways for traditional students, adult learners, dual-credit high school students, and individuals returning to education.
Dr. Johnson also shared Harper College’s long-standing commitment to comprehensive internationalization through its Center for Global Education and Engagement. The Center coordinates international student services, study abroad programs, virtual exchanges, faculty development, and campus-wide global learning initiatives. Internationalization has remained an integral part of Harper College’s institutional strategic plans for more than a decade, reflecting the College’s commitment to preparing globally competent graduates.
One of the highlights of the discussion was Harper College’s Global Regional Focus initiative, an innovative four-year professional development program that enables faculty and staff to develop in-depth knowledge of a specific world region and integrate global perspectives into teaching, learning, and campus activities. Previous regional themes have included Africa, Latin America, India, and more recently the Middle East, with faculty participating in international study visits and incorporating regional perspectives into their curricula. The initiative demonstrates Harper’s holistic approach to internationalization by engaging not only students but also faculty, staff, and career and technical education programs across the institution.
On behalf of VACC, the delegation introduced the Association’s history, mission, and development. Established on 14 September 2006, VACC is a nationwide socio-professional organization representing universities, colleges, and training institutions operating under the community college model in Vietnam. Guided by its mission of promoting lifelong learning and expanding educational opportunities for communities, VACC supports its member institutions through professional development, research, quality assurance, innovation, and international collaboration. The Association also oversees several affiliated centers and institutes dedicated to accreditation, educational innovation, science and technology, and community service.
Recognizing the shared values of community engagement, lifelong learning, and workforce development, both sides exchanged ideas on a number of promising areas for future cooperation. These include virtual cultural exchange programs for students; faculty mobility and professional development; reciprocal opportunities for hosting international students; joint workshops and short-term training programs; collaborative research and international projects; quality assurance and accreditation; as well as other mutually beneficial initiatives.
The meeting concluded in a warm and constructive atmosphere, marking a promising first step towards a long-term partnership between VACC and Harper College. Both institutions expressed their commitment to maintaining regular communication, connecting member institutions and academic units, and gradually developing collaborative activities that contribute to the internationalization of higher education and the continued advancement of the community college model in both Vietnam and the United States.