STRATEGIC PLAN

Background

PiA’s Board of Trustees has engaged in a thorough examination of every aspect of our operations and created a roadmap for the next ten years (FY2021-FY2031). We are grateful to the Alumni, Trustees, staff, host organizations, donors, and representatives from institutions who contributed their experiences and expertise to the process. 

Vision

Today, PiA sees its role not only as facilitating cultural exchange between Asia and the United States, but also as contributing to the larger project of building a world where individuals share mutual appreciation and respect for a diversity of cultures and perspectives.

APPROACH

Following a pause during the COVID-19 pandemic, PiA seeks to rebuild the program thoughtfully and with an eye towards further growth. We are focused on creating a resilient organizational structure, with the team, tools, and resources to adapt to challenges and implement the strategic plan. In doing so, we want to ensure that diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism are centered in our mission and the approach to all our work. We seek to develop a more inclusive, equitable, and robust organization and to amplify our impact. 

Our vision and approach are informed by our revised mission statement and ethos.

MISSION

PiA fosters mutual appreciation and cross-cultural understanding between the United States and Asia through immersive work fellowships in host organizations and communities. 

ETHOS

PiA’s ethos is shaped by our deep engagement with communities in Asia developed over our 125-year history, our longstanding relationships with our Asian partners and Princeton University, as well as the thousands of Fellows we have helped transform and the communities in which they have lived and worked. To guide our engagement and ground our approach to the work, we codified our ethos into the following core values:

  • Transformation. Our Fellows are open to being transformed by their work and their relationships with the people with whom they interact abroad.

  • Immersion. Our Fellows strive to be citizens of the communities in which they live and work, becoming fully immersed in the life of their host organization and communities.

  • Relationship building. Our Fellows build meaningful and long-lasting relationships with their peers, community members, and each other.

  • Humility. Our Fellows dedicate themselves to professional service in the organizations where they work and the communities where they live, and approach their daily interactions with respect and understanding.

  • Mutuality and interdependence. Our Fellows are both learning from the communities in which they work and teaching people in those communities about what life is like in the United States, fostering cross-cultural understanding and mutual understanding and respect.

  • Contributing to the community. Our Fellows endeavor to contribute to their host communities and broader global community by making a lasting difference.

PLAN INITIATIVES

Our strategic plan outlines an expanded vision in six key areas:

  • Fostering immersive and transformative experiences through enhanced training and ongoing reflection and dialogue

  • Strengthening health, safety, and welfare support for Fellows and Interns

  • Reducing costs for Fellows to participate in a PiA fellowship

  • Expanding recruiting outreach to a wider list of colleges and universities across the United States

  • Broadening fellowship focus areas above and beyond English instruction

  • Achieving geographic balance across Asia

  • Immersive, transformative experiences

    We offer transformative, immersive experiences. We have partnered with experts in international education and cultural exchange to provide training, resources and structures to deepen immersion and enhance the transformational potential of fellowships. Our network of Country Advisors develops unique fellowship opportunities, provides country-specific orientation, and mentors Fellows. We are developing opportunities for ongoing dialogue and reflection during and after the fellowship year and expanding opportunities for Fellows to engage with PiA Alumni.

  • Health, safety, and welfare of Fellows

    Enhancing the health, safety, and welfare of Fellows is our highest priority as we deliver programming in a COVID world. PiA provides robust insurance coverage to Fellows and Interns; fully subsidizes membership in International SOS, the leading global provider of emergency medical and security assistance for Fellows; provides mental health support; and cultivates risk management and travel intelligence skills through pre-departure and ongoing training.

  • Reducing costs for Fellows

    PiA is committed to removing financial barriers to participation. We have removed our application fee and placement fee. A fully virtual interview, training, and orientation format allows applicants, Fellows, and Interns to participate from anywhere in the world. PiA fully subsidizes the cost of insurance premiums, membership in International SOS, and costs associated with securing visas and work permits before departure. We have significantly increased funding for travel grants, as well as expanded the number of host partnerships that provide airfare for Fellows. We aim to continue reducing, and eventually eliminate, pre-departure costs.

  • Expanding recruiting outreach

    PiA strives to find excellence everywhere. We are investing in expanding our recruitment activities to reach talented students and graduates of private and public colleges and universities across the United States, including Minority Serving Institutions. At the same time, we are tailoring our recruiting efforts within institutions to support exchanges that align with the diversity of our fellowship geographies and focus areas. This includes partnering with fellowship advisors, departments and faculty mentors, and student organizations.

  • Broadening fellowship focus areas

    We aim to cultivate a fellowship portfolio with a broad balance across focus areas that reflect applicant interest, host organization demand, and major global challenges, issues, and trends. We seek to preserve long-standing relationships and cultivate new partnerships with organizations working in the following focus areas: arts and culture, economic development, education, environmental sustainability, public health, sports, STEM, and peace, justice, and access to information.

  • Achieving geographic balance

    We seek to develop vibrant programs across Asia. We are rebuilding and sustaining long-term relationships with partners in East Asia (Greater China, Japan and Korea), Southeast Asia, Central and Inner Asia, and South Asia, while continuing to develop programs in new countries and regions.