University of Montana President Royce Engstrom has said he wants 75 percent of the school’s undergraduate students to study abroad by 2020.

Compare that with the number of students nationwide enrolled at a four-year university or college who currently study abroad: 1 percent.

"That’s a great goal," said Meghann Curtis, the deputy assistant secretary for academic programs at the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. It is important that university leaders make international education a priority and commit resources to helping students study abroad, she said.

It’s rare for top level state department officials to visit UM. However, Curtis is on campus this week evaluating a Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center exchange program funded by a U.S. State Department grant. Curtis took over as the deputy assistant secretary in October and is familiarizing herself with programs she oversees. This is her first domestic trip.

By CHELSI MOY of the Missoulian

Full Story: http://missoulian.com/news/state-and-regional/state-department-visits-missoula-to-discuss-student-exchange-programs/article_5ddd38e4-c716-11e1-9e2f-0019bb2963f4.html