From Inside USD – The University of San Diego’s dedication to internationalization — as a successful initiative for students’ experiential learning, as a formidable enhancement for liberal arts education and an opportunity for students around the world to come and study in San Diego and flourish — has earned mainstream recognition.
The National Association for Foreign Student Affairs (NAFSA): Association of International Educators announced on Feb. 24 that USD is one of five recipients of the Sen. Paul Simon Award for Campus Internationalization.
“It’s a thrill to have USD selected for our achievements, across the university, toward comprehensive internationalization,” said Denise Dimon, USD’s associate provost for international affairs. “The Simon Award is considered the gold standard of internationalization and the universities selected by NAFSA, this year and in previous years, have initiated very creative, meaningful and sustained activities toward this goal. It is very exciting and an honor to have USD included with these other institutions.”
Mount Holyoke College, North Central College, University of Delaware and the University of Virginia join USD as award winners in this specific category.
“USD is very proud of the enormous progress we have made to create and expand innovative programs that provide members of our campus community with enriching global experiences in nearly 50 countries across the globe,” USD President Mary E. Lyons, PhD, said. “We are committed to the goal of graduating men and women who are truly global citizens with the competencies to navigate our world well.”
Comprehensive internationalization consists of such areas as student mobility, faculty expertise, curriculum development, co-curricular activities, international partnerships and collaborations, leadership at the highest levels and governance structures to support all of these efforts.
“Achievement in these varied activities clearly involves the entire campus community and moves us toward our ultimate goal of providing education to develop effective, thoughtful and caring globally citizens,” Dimon said.
Named for the late Illinois Senator Paul Simon, NAFSA’s Simon Awards recognize outstanding and innovative achievements in campus internationalization. From the innovative use of technology to expanded English language and support systems, the 2015 Simon Award winners reflect a broad diversity of approaches to campus internationalization, both in terms of models and implementation.
“We are proud to present NAFSA’s 2015 Simon Awards to these colleges and universities that have excelled in expanding global learning for students and scholars,” said NAFSA Executive Director and CEO Marlene M. Johnson. “This year’s Simon Award winners are outstanding models for how higher education across the country can and must innovate to prepare our graduates for success in today’s increasingly complex and interdependent world.”
This is the second time USD has received a Simon Award. In 2011, USD earned the Paul Simon Spotlight Award, given for a specific international program or initiative contributing to comprehensive internationalization. That honor recognized the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice’s Women PeaceMakers Program, an annual fall endeavor that brings four courageous and impressive international women leaders to campus for eight weeks to share their stories with peace writers and the public, meet women from other countries doing incredible work, and to be recognized for their tremendous efforts.
Institutions selected for the Simon Awards will be featured in NAFSA’s report, Internationalizing the Campus: Profiles of Success at Colleges and Universities, to be published this fall, and honored at an event in Washington, D.C. during International Education Week in November.
— Ryan T. Blystone
Starting with my sophomore year, I was ready to be more engaged and to try new things. I was a member of the International Orientation Team for three semesters, which welcomes students and scholars from all over the world. From physically helping them to move into their dormitories, to sharing tips and advice of attending University of San Diego as an international student, I was able to really bond with these students and share the excitement and anticipation for their new life here in the United States. I was in the Link mentoring program as a peer mentor that advice and guide minority freshmen students. I also took part in a Business Mediation Competition in Georgia, which gave me the opportunity to train in mediation, negotiation, and conflict management and put it to practice. Last but not least, I am a student worker at the Office of International Students and Scholars, which sharpens my organization and communication skills.
“My name is Jose Tomaz de Alencar and I am from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Coming from a family of five brothers, all of which have double-names (“nomes compostos”), each one of us has a nickname, mine being Taz. I picked up English at a very early age through private tutoring. Likewise, by traveling to Spanish-speaking countries and befriending Spanish-speaking people I learned a mixture of Portuguese and “Español”; I call it Portuñol. I was also fortunate enough to spend my high school years at the American School of Paris, where I picked up a little bit of French. When I came to college I was uncertain of what I wanted for my future. After many conversations with my family and peers I decided to pursue a path of entrepreneurship. My major at the University of San Diego is Communication Studies, with a minor in International Business.
I decided to take a semester abroad my Sophomore year to return to Brazil and be with my family. I went to the International Office to explore my options and was presented an opportunity to study abroad back home. This gave me the chance to attain credits while being with my family through some tough times. The staff helped make the transition smooth and stress-free. Coincidentally, USD’s corresponding PUCE University in Brazil happened to be the same university at which many of my friends were studying. I would be walking around campus and run into some surprised friends, often exclaiming, “What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be back in California?” It was intriguing to experience how different university classes were and a student life lacking an actual “community campus.” Overall, I loved experiencing the university in Brazil. More importantly, I loved being there for my family when they needed me most. I sincerely thank USD for the opportunity to studying ‘abroad’ when I needed to, as well as the opportunity to studying abroad here and experience the amazing Californian life.”
precious gift, but vital for our survival and for the survival of everyone,” said Tlili, whose Muslim reflection was the featured presentation. “Water is not just a physical thing our lives depend on, but there is a very important spiritual dimension linked to it. As a creature that praises God the way we praise God and, as a sign, we too are signs of God’s wisdom, creativity and power. Water shows us that. I also wanted to show that water is like when we awaken certain things we all know so well. In our scripture the same stories are told to reawaken us to life. If not, we start to take it for granted.”
The Native American reflection was done by Lakota herbalist/educator Kathy Willcuts and Gabrielino-Tongva Tribe dancer-musician Steve Garcia. The duo presented “Wakan Mni Mni Wiconi.” Garcia played the flute flawlessly while Willcuts, with grace and precision, showcased the sacredness and life-giving qualities of water. Willcuts offered water to the Four Directions, as well as Mother Earth and Father Sky.
rousing rendition of a southern folk hymn, “Down in the River to Pray,” which talks about the act of a river baptism. At first, all members had their backs to the audience, but every few seconds a few turned to face the audience and it finished with the whole group singing as one powerful, united force.
Jewish Rabbi Andrew Kastner told a riveting story of a great-grandfather, who lay dying, but provided life lessons in a final conversation with his grandson. He spoke of life as a unique combination of change and permanence; a mix of solid and liquid. “Seasons change, a beginning comes from every end, such as snow melting to provide water for rivers, leaves changing colors. Everything is balanced. Everything in the spiritual world has a counterpart.”