DIVERSITY ABROAD NAMES 2019 EXCELLENCE IN DIVERSITY & INCLUSION IN INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION (EDIIE) & GLOBAL STUDENT LEADERSHIP AWARD RECIPIENTS

 

BERKELEY, CA—February 6, 2019 Diversity Abroad is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2019 Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion in International Education (EDIIE) and Global Student Leadership Awards. This year’s recipients have demonstrated a commitment to advancing diversity and inclusive excellence within international education on an individual, institutional, and organizational level, as well as students who represent Diversity Abroad’s mission to diversify global education.

 

The awardees and their work will be recognized during the annual Awards Gala and Dinner at the 7th Annual Diversity Abroad Conference, Equity & Opportunity Through Inclusive Global Education in Boston, MA  on March 4, 2019.

 

EDIIE INSTITUTIONAL/ORGANIZATIONAL AWARDS: 

 

Diversity & Inclusion Champion: University of California,  Davis  (UCD) Study Abroad in Partnership with Child Family Health International

“I am honored to receive this award on behalf of our Oaxacan, CFHI, Quarter Abroad and Chicanx Studies partners.  Our collaboration for the past 13 years has inspired students to pursue careers in medicine, public health, physical therapy, optometry, and health education. This recognition undoubtedly will continue to facilitate diverse students' exploration of global health  while they experience the cultural richness of our host cities.” - Professor Yvette Flores, lead faculty of the Latinx Health Internship Program.

Organizational Excellence: State University of New York (SUNY) Oswego

 

“We at SUNY Oswego are humbled, honored, and gratified to receive the Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion in International Education (EDIIE) Award in the category of Organizational Excellence. We have been supportive of the Diversity Abroad organization since its inception, and believe strongly in its purpose and success. This award is the result of years of work by the dedicated staff of the Office of International Education & Programs, as well as many committed and supportive SUNY Oswego campus personnel, all of whom deserve recognition. Diversity and inclusion in all aspects of higher education, including international education, are something that all of us at SUNY Oswego believe in and have put time and effort into achieving, and together we are doing great things. Thank you all!”

- Dr. Joshua McKeown, Associate Provost for International Education and Programs

 

Student Engagement & Success: Democracy Prep Public Schools, Global Citizens Program

“Democracy Prep is honored to receive this award as an opportunity to highlight the unique space in the study abroad field for traditionally underrepresented high school students. We look forward to seeing the impact these experiences have, not only on students, but on their schools, communities and the higher ed institutions they will enroll in. We're deeply grateful that Diversity Abroad exists so that we may recognize all of the incredibly hard work that occurs across the field and allows us to connect with one another to leverage the tremendous knowledge, expertise and wisdom of everyone committed to the advancement of these opportunities for all students.” - Rebecca LeBlond, Director, Global Citizens Programs

 

Outreach, Marketing & Recruitment: The University of Auckland

“We are much honored to have our work and efforts recognized through the Diversity Abroad award and it will undoubtedly help progress our agenda. As in the US, we are keen to increase access and diversity to our Study Abroad programmes. My team has sought to substantially increase participation in learning abroad, and specifically to do so for our Māori and Pacific Students (the University’s diversity target cohort). We engage on both incoming and outgoing programming as they are strongly interconnected and this past couple of years we have focused on our outbound outreach strategy.” - Lydie Faure Kilgannon,  360 International Manager, University of Auckland. 

 

EDIIE INDIVIDUAL AWARDS:

 

Leadership (10+ years experience): Shigeru Nic Sakurai, University of Maryland, College Park

"We are so pleased that Diversity Abroad is recognizing Shige for their contributions to the field.  The University of Maryland's commitment to inclusive practices in education abroad is greatly enhanced through their campus-wide leadership. Their insight into LGBTQ+ identities, especially the identities of people of color, is invaluable in supporting our mission." - Leeanne Dunsmore, Director, Education Abroad

 

Rising Star (2-10 years experience): Becca AbuRakia-Einhorn, Gallaudet University

"When Becca arrived at Gallaudet, opportunities to intern and study abroad for Deaf students were few and far between. Becca’s passion, entrepreneurial spirit, and motivation has already opened doors for our students and deaf and hard of hearing students more broadly and will continue to do so. She has worked tirelessly to build the Education Abroad office at Gallaudet and advocate in the field broadly and we are honored that her work has been recognized by Diversity Abroad." - Charles Reilly, Executive Director of the Office of Research Support and International Affairs, Gallaudet University.

 

 

GLOBAL STUDENT LEADERSHIP AWARD: 

 

Graduate Student: Katrina Joy Harrison, University of Pittsburgh

"Katrina is one of the most gifted advisors in international education.  Her sensitivity around and commitment to diversity and inclusion have empowered hundreds of students across the 14 VIH institutions to maximize cultural learnings, both at home and abroad.  Her intelligence, humor, and grace set the bar high for professionals and students alike, and she continues to serve as an inspiration through her contributions in many areas.  We are grateful to work with her."  - Dr. Sarah Wagner, VIH Program Director, University of Pittsburgh

 

 

Undergraduate Student: Nam Nguyen, Washington State University

“Nam is the best example of how international exchange can open doors to the future.” 

- Stefanie Gruber-Sliva, Program Officer, DAAD North America. 

 

“Meeting a student like Nam was a gift to happen to our university and to all those who are touched by him personally, through his energy, his kindness and incessant work towards global education. I recommend Nam Nguyen for this award with the highest recommendation I can offer after 36 years of being involved in international activities and programs at the college level.”

- Jessica Cassleman, Assistant Dean of International Programs & Director of International Business Institute, WSU. 

 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Diversity Abroad would like to thank the distinguished members of the Award Selection Committee for their work to identify the 2019 recipients:

• Veelie Alba, University Relations Regional Director - Midwest, CIS Abroad
Adam Henry, Ph.D., Director, Study Abroad Office, Arizona State University
• Robert Leis, Assistant Director of Study Abroad, Baylor University
• Jorge Martinez-Santiago, Director, Academic Talent Search, Fordham/COE
• Khalilah A. Shabazz, Ph.D, Director of the Multicultural Center, IUPUI

 

ABOUT DIVERSITY ABROAD

Diversity Abroad’s member network is the leading professional consortium of educational institutions, government agencies, for-profit and non-profit organizations who share Diversity Abroad’s vision that the next generation of young people from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds are equipped with

the skills, knowledge, and global acumen to thrive in the 21st century interconnected world and global workforce.  

 

ABOUT THE EXCELLENCE IN DIVERSITY & INCLUSION IN INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION (EDIIE) AWARD

Through the Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion in International Education Awards, Diversity Abroad celebrates outstanding institutions, organizations, and individuals who have developed inclusive practices that increase access, foster diversity and inclusion in international education and promote an inclusive environment for international students on campus. 

 

ABOUT THE GLOBAL STUDENT LEADERSHIP AWARD

The Global Student Leadership Award recognizes and celebrates outstanding students who represent Diversity Abroad’s mission to diversify global education and demonstrate a commitment to foster diversity and inclusion in global education through their studies, campus engagement, or community building efforts, writ large.