College only two-year institution honored among elite universities
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (December 3, 2019)-Kirkwood Community College has been presented the prestigious 2019 Senator Paul Simon Award for Campus Internationalization by NAFSA, the world’s largest nonprofit association dedicated to international education. The college was one of eight higher education institutions across the nation to receive the honor.
Named after the late Senator Paul Simon of Illinois, the NAFSA Simon Awards recognize outstanding innovation and accomplishment in campus internationalization.
Five colleges were awarded the “Simon Award for Comprehensive Internationalization” which recognizes colleges and universities for excellence in integrating international education throughout all facets of their campuses. The institutions receiving this award are:
Brown University (Providence, Rhode Island)
Kirkwood Community College (Cedar Rapids, Iowa)
West Virginia University (Morgantown, West Virginia)
Miami University (Oxford, Ohio)
Dickinson College (Carlisle, Pennsylvania)
Kirkwood Dean of International Programs Dawn Wood was on hand to receive the honor at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. on November 21. The event coincided with International Education Week, a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education to promote a global environment to Americans and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn, and exchange experiences.
According to Wood, the award is the result of an ongoing, concerted effort to promote international education across the entire college.
“Kirkwood has long recognized the importance of connecting global learning to our local community and industry needs,” said Wood. “For years, this college has recognized the significance of providing a global intercultural experience for all of its students, faculty and staff. This is significant for our community to grow and thrive in this globalized economy.”
For years, the Kirkwood International Programs department has made its impact felt on a local, national and worldwide scale. The college is ranked fifth nationally in number of study abroad students for two-year colleges for the second consecutive year. In addition, the institution consistently attracts a diverse range of international students from countries around the world.
For more information about International Programs at Kirkwood, go to www.kirkwood.edu/international.