Award for Global Engagement

The all-University Award for Global Engagement is given to current faculty and staff in recognition of outstanding contributions to global education, global competency, cultural understanding and/or international programs at the University or in their field or discipline. The award honors individual faculty and staff who have distinguished themselves in their work, and serves as a resource and inspiration to other faculty and staff.

Up to two faculty and up to two staff awards will be given each year. The maximum number of awards given in any single year will be three.

All faculty who receive the Award for Global Engagement shall be designated throughout their careers at the University of Minnesota as “Distinguished Global Professor.” All staff who receive the Award for Global Engagement shall be designated throughout their careers at the University of Minnesota as “Recipient of the Distinguished Award for Global Engagement.”

Recipients will receive an award sculpture designed by retired University Art Professor Thomas Rose and $6,000 to support their professional development endeavors.

FACULTY NOMINEE: Nominees must have been instrumental in promoting significant international understanding, global engagement, international education, and/or institution building, at home or abroad, either through their institutional position or in other leadership capacities. Identifying innovative educational opportunities, inspiring colleagues, students and staff to engage globally, and/or serving the global community as a leader are important hallmarks of the nominees in this category. Nominees must be a current faculty member. Nominees must have been at the University of Minnesota for at least five years and a major part of their international contributions must be in association with the University of Minnesota or have occurred during their employment at the University of Minnesota.

STAFF NOMINEE: Nominees must have been instrumental in advancing significant international understanding, global engagement, international education, at home or abroad. Innovation, creativity, and inspiration in promoting global education, cultural understanding, intercultural teaching and learning, and/or development of international learning among students, staff, and faculty are important hallmarks of the nominees in this category. Nominees must be a current staff member, and have worked at the University of Minnesota for a minimum of five years. The engagement with international education or global engagement must be in association with the University of Minnesota or have occurred during their employment at the University of Minnesota.

NOMINATOR: Must be a current or former faculty or staff or an alumnus or alumna of the University. Nominators and writers of supporting letters should be aware that their letters are available to the nominees upon request.

Complete the nomination form that request biographical and contact information for both the nominee and the nominator.

Maximum two-page summary highlighting the individual’s outstanding contributions which have resulted in significant international understanding, global engagement, international education, and/or institution building, at home or abroad, either through their institutional position or in other leadership capacities.

In the case of faculty nominees, describe how the individual has distinguished him or herself through the creation of innovative educational opportunities, the inspiration of colleagues, students and staff to engage globally, and/or by serving the global community as a leader.

In the case of staff nominees, describe how the individual has promoted global education, cultural understanding, intercultural teaching and learning, and/or development of international learning among students, staff, and faculty using innovation, creativity, and/or inspiration.

Contributions of faculty and/or staff nominees may be in one or more of the areas listed below:

• Co-curricular activities that contribute substantially to global education and international programs;
• Activities that contribute to the planning, design, or development of innovations in international educational and global outreach programs;
• Contributions to development of institutions in other countries through technical assistance, program development and administration, teaching, or research;
• Direct contact with students that includes instruction and/or supervision of independent activities such as practicums,
• Innovative instructional methods which promote cultural competency among students;
• Innovative professional development or training opportunities for faculty which promote cultural competency;
• Creative community building engagement at home or abroad with students, faculty, and staff;
• Promotion of study/learning of other languages or culture by students, faculty and staff in ways meaningful and purposeful;
• Dedication to international/non-U.S. citizen students and scholars that promotes understanding of U.S. culture and way of life, and that recognizes the unique contributions international/non-U.S. citizen students and scholars make on our campuses;
• Hosting of international students or scholars in ways that promote engagement with others; or
• Collaboration with peers and colleagues from outside of the U.S. in ways which are productive and which advance the University’s reputation in the world.

A C.V. or resumé, not to exceed five pages and to include the education, employment, membership in professional societies, honors and awards, professional and public service, consulting activities, etc., of the nominee as they pertain to global education and international programs.

200–300 words highlighting the nominee's contributions to global education and international programs at the University of Minnesota. Do not include nominee's background information (such as education) unless it relates directly to their contributions. See past recipients for examples.

Should focus on personal knowledge of the nominee’s career accomplishments and reputation as they relate to this award.

At least three, but no more than five, supporting letters from the nominee’s peers within and outside the University.