Extending Morgan's classroom to the world
An HBCU-anchored institute inside the Division of International Affairs, built to carry Morgan's teaching and research to working professionals on four continents.
The professional education and knowledge-transfer arm of the Division of International Affairs
The Morgan Global Leadership & Innovation Institute (Morgan-GLII) is the professional education and knowledge-transfer arm of Morgan State University's Division of International Affairs. Launched in 2021 as part of the Transformation Morgan 2030 strategic plan and the “Morgan Global” initiative, the institute aims to extend Morgan's teaching, research and brand beyond the classroom to working professionals, institutions and governments in Africa, the Middle East, South America and Asia, and to bring the knowledge of those partners back to Morgan.
Four things, one reference document
The institute does four things. It develops and delivers professional development, upskilling, micro-credential, and professional certificate courses. It facilitates two-way knowledge transfer between Morgan State and its global partners. It forms strategic partnerships with research, publication, and professional development institutes worldwide to co-author, co-brand, and co-teach. And it partners to develop and deploy global research conferences and publications.
The institute profile is intended to be approved by the Assistant Vice President for International Affairs and endorsed by the Provost, and then used as the reference document for every partnership the institute signs.
Maryland's preeminent public urban research university
Morgan State University is a Historically Black College and University founded in 1867 in Baltimore. Enrollment reached a record 11,739 students in Fall 2026, surpassing the 2030 strategic-plan target six years early. The university offers more than 150 academic programs from the baccalaureate to the doctorate, holds Carnegie R2 (high research activity) classification, has surpassed $100 million in research commitments, and is pursuing R1 status as a core goal of Transformation Morgan 2030.
Five offices, four overseas anchors
Led by Dr. Yacob Astatke, Assistant Vice President for International Affairs, the division implements the Morgan Global initiative. It operates the Office of International Students & Scholars, the Office of Study Abroad, the Office of Global & Cross Cultural Programs, the Office of Global Partnerships – Africa, and the Center for Global Studies & International Education. Between 2020 and 2022 it opened four overseas offices focused on recruitment and strategic partnerships, establishing anchor relationships in:
What the institute stands for
“To be the leading HBCU-anchored institute for global leadership and innovation education, recognized on four continents for practical, affordable, and Morgan-branded professional learning.”
— VISION
Mission
Morgan-GLII develops and delivers professional development, upskilling, micro-credential, and certificate programs; facilitates knowledge transfer between Morgan State University and its global partners; and builds strategic partnerships that co-create research, publications, conferences, and teaching for the benefit of learners, institutions, and nations.
2026–2030 targets in full
The objectives below are measurable. Targets are working assumptions for leadership to confirm.
| # | Objective | Key results by 2030 |
|---|---|---|
| O1 | Build a portfolio of professional development, upskilling, micro-credential and certificate programs | 10 certificate tracks and 40+ short courses live; 2,500 cumulative completions; learner satisfaction ≥ 4.3/5 |
| O2 | Operate a global knowledge-transfer network | Active MOUs with 20 partner institutions across Africa, the Middle East, South America and Asia; 4 regional delivery hubs |
| O3 | Co-author, co-brand and co-teach with research, publication and professional development institutes | 6 co-branded program families; 3 co-published book or journal series; 30 co-taught courses |
| O4 | Develop and deploy global research conferences and publications | Annual Morgan Global Leadership & Innovation Conference from 2027; 1 indexed proceedings series; 1 practitioner journal |
| O5 | Strengthen Morgan faculty, staff and leadership through emerging-technology and pedagogy capacity building (with CIIS) | 300 Morgan faculty and staff credentialed; 25 faculty certified as global program instructors |
| O6 | Extend non-credit emerging-technology training to Morgan students | 600 students complete at least one micro-credential; 60% report placement or advancement within 12 months |
| O7 | Achieve financial self-sufficiency | Break-even on operating costs by FY2029; 30% of revenue from grants and sponsorships, 70% from program fees and licensing |
Who sets direction and protects the brand
The institute reports to the Assistant Vice President for International Affairs, who reports to the Provost.
Steering Committee
Chaired by the AVP for International Affairs; meets quarterly. Members: the Director of CCPS, the Director of CIIS, a Dean nominated by the Provost, the Director of Global Partnerships – Africa, a representative of the Office of Sponsored Programs and Research, and the Executive Director (ex officio). Approves the annual plan and budget, partnerships with expected value above [PLACEHOLDER: $ threshold], and any co-branding of the Morgan name.
Quality & Accreditation
Chaired by CCPS. Approves every program before a Morgan certificate is issued; reviews instructor qualifications, learning outcomes, assessment, and learner feedback; conducts an annual audit of partner-delivered programs.
International Advisory Board
Up to twelve leaders from partner institutions and industry; advisory only; meets annually alongside the conference.
Charter of the Morgan Global Leadership & Innovation Institute
Effective upon approval by the Assistant Vice President for International Affairs and endorsement by the Provost.
Establishment
Morgan-GLII is established as a unit of the Division of International Affairs of Morgan State University, effective upon approval of this charter by the Assistant Vice President for International Affairs and endorsement by the Provost. It succeeds the institute launched in 2021 and adopts the profile, objectives, and roadmap of the master planning document.
Purpose and scope
The institute (1) develops and delivers professional development, upskilling, micro-credential and professional certificate courses; (2) facilitates knowledge transfer between Morgan State University and its global partners in Africa, the Middle East, South America and Asia; (3) enters strategic partnerships with research, publication and professional development institutes worldwide to co-author, co-brand and co-teach; and (4) partners in developing and deploying global research conferences and publications. The institute does not confer academic credit or degrees; credit recognition remains with Morgan's academic units.
Governance
C.1 Reporting line. The Executive Director reports to the Assistant Vice President for International Affairs. C.2–C.4 establish the Steering Committee, the Quality and Accreditation Committee and the International Advisory Board — see Governance above.
Authorities and limits
The Executive Director may negotiate partnership instruments, set program prices within the approved schedule, and commit expenditures within the approved budget. Agreements binding the university are executed only by the officer authorized under Morgan State University policy and after review by the Office of the General Counsel and, where applicable, Procurement.
Brand and intellectual property
The Morgan name, seal, and marks are used only as approved by University Communications. Morgan State University owns or perpetually licenses course materials developed for the institute; partners retain their pre-existing IP and grant Morgan a license sufficient to deliver the programs. Co-branded materials carry both marks under written co-branding guidelines.
Ethics and conflicts of interest
All partnerships are non-exclusive unless the Steering Committee approves otherwise. Any person involved in negotiating or approving an agreement who has a financial interest in a counterparty shall disclose it in writing and recuse from the Morgan-side decision. The institute complies with Morgan State University policies on procurement, conflict of interest, export control, data protection and academic integrity.
Finance
The institute operates as a cost center of the Division of International Affairs with a revenue-sharing arrangement approved by [PLACEHOLDER: confirm approver — the Vice President for Finance and Management]. The institute reinvests net revenue in the institute, the Division, and a scholarship fund for learners from partner countries, in proportions set annually by the Steering Committee.
Reporting and review
The Executive Director submits a quarterly dashboard (enrollment, completions, revenue, partner status, learner satisfaction) and an annual report to the Steering Committee and the Provost. This charter is reviewed in 2030 and renewed, amended, or retired by the same approvals that established it.