NYIT Honored at 2016 Simon Award Ceremony

Photo: Pictured from left to right, Richard Stengel, under secretary for public diplomacy and public affairs, U.S. Department of State; Marlene M. Johnson, executive director and chief executive officer of NAFSA: Association of International Educators; President Edward Guiliano; Martin Simon, son of the late U.S. Senator Paul Simon.

President Edward Guiliano, Ph.D., accepted the 2016 Senator Paul Simon Award for Comprehensive Internationalization on Tuesday in a Washington, DC, ceremony hosted by NAFSA: Association of International Educators. The ceremony marked the culmination of several months of recognition and awareness-building about the values represented by NAFSA, a non-profit devoted to student and scholar exchange across nations and global perspectives in higher education. NYIT is one of four institutions honored this year as models of comprehensive internationalization. Three other universities won Simon “Spotlight” Awards for targeted programs in these areas.

Presidents from the winning institutions participated in a panel discussion, webcast live, about the value of internationalizing American institutions of higher education. Internationalization includes global perspectives across the curriculum, welcoming international students, and encouraging study abroad opportunities.

In his remarks, President Guiliano noted the care NYIT offers international students in New York, citing a number of important initiatives to create positive experiences for international students. He also mentioned the opportunities for New York-based students to travel, with options ranging from Alternative Spring Break to traditional study abroad programs, all of which can be supported by a Presidential Global Fellowship.

“The one university model—one curriculum, one diploma—is key,” said President Guiliano. “Students and faculty and staff members can move around the world fluidly and flawlessly for research and study. We are in the middle of an educational evolution. Communication today is increasingly dependent on and demanding of cultural literacy. We are delivering that.”

This week has been designated International Education Week by the United States Departments of State and Education and State. To coincide, NAFSA has published an annual report, “Internationalizing the Campus: Profiles of Success at Colleges and Universities,” which features NYIT and the other 2016 Simon Award winners.

Other events following the announcement earlier this year of NYIT’s 2016 Simon Award included NAFSA’s annual conference, where NYIT Provost Rahmat Shoureshi participated and discussed internationalization strategies with other Simon Award-winning officials.