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Heiskell Awardees

The Institute of International Education (IIE) created the IIE Andrew Heiskell Awards for Innovation in International Education in 2001 to promote and honor the most outstanding initiatives that are being conducted in international higher education by IIENetwork members. By recognizing excellence and innovation, IIE hopes to support IIENetwork members in their endeavors and to signal a new and important role for international education on campus. The winning initiatives also receive $1,000 to contribute to their ongoing success.

The 2023 IIE Heiskell Award Recipients

2023 Winner: Widening Access for International Education 
Rice University’s GREAT Project: Interconnection of Distinct Worlds 
The Global RICE Empowers Academics & Training (GREAT) Project offers global-based immersion classes taught by graduate international students for young adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD). Through informal, up-beat classes, the IDD young adults learn about specific countries/regions and international topics, and the Rice international graduate students learn how to teach people with diverse learning styles and needs.
2023 Winner: Student Mobility & Exchange 
Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s Global Projects for All 
Initiated in 2017, the Global Projects for All initiative launched to provide all WPI undergraduate students access to an off-campus project experience. By increasing project frequency, adding new centers, and offering financial aid, over 1,100 WPI students have participated in these faculty-led projects on energy, food, health, and urban sustainability.
2023 Winner: Strategic Partnerships 
Notre Dame International’s Notre Dame Standing in Solidarity with Ukrainian Catholic University 
In response to the Ukraine War, Notre Dame entered an agreement to expand its 20-year academic and cultural partnerships with Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU). Facilitated by Notre Dame International, the new programs center on engaging UCU students and faculty with educational and research opportunities, as well as building collaboration between faculty and administrators.
2023 Winner: Models of International Education Financial Support 
Indiana University’s IU Global: International Advancement Initiative 
The International Advancement Initiative is an intentional and strategic partnership among the Office of the Vice President for International Affairs, the IU Foundation, and the IU Alumni Association to elevate global academic mobility within Indiana University’s comprehensive advancement plan and to build capacity for international fundraising. To date, the Initiative has achieved the successful completion of a $20 million campaign for study abroad scholarships and the creation of an annual fund that supports emergency financial assistance for international students in need.
2023 Honorable Mention: Strategic Partnerships 
Purdue University-Main Campus’ Undergraduate Research Experience at Purdue-Colombia (UREP-C) 
UREP-C is a research-based mobility program that fosters educational and cultural enrichment for undergraduates from underserved communities throughout Colombia. Colombian students visit Purdue’s main campus six months and are partnered with faculty in both countries to engage in university research. Additionally, each visiting student is matched to a current Colombian Purdue graduate student, a local host family, and Purdue-enrolled native English speakers.
2023 Honorable Mention: Models of International Education Financial Support 
Rutgers University’s Access the World 
Access the World aims to remove both the financial and mental roadblocks to student engagement in study abroad and global learning. Recognizing a need for fundamental change to achieve these goals, it shifted much of the university’s existing study abroad funding from traditional scholarships to subsidizing a targeted group of programs to make them at or below the cost of a Rutgers semester.

    Learn more about the 2023 IIE Heiskell Award winning initiatives

    Previous IIE Heiskell Award Recipients

    Widening Access for International Education

    • Georgia State University: Georgia State University Free Passport Initiative
    • University of Richmond: EnCompass

    Student Mobility & Exchange

    • Northwestern University: Virtual Global Engagement Studies Institute Program

    Strategic Partnerships

    • Babson College: Babson Collaborative for Entrepreneurship Education
    • Louisiana State University: LSU & MENDELU Strategic Partnership

    Models of International Education Financial Support

    • University of Arkansas: International Education Catastrophic Fund

    Internationalizing the Campus

    • Rice University: Brasil@Rice, A Corner/”Cantinho” of Brazil
    • Honorable Mention, Texas A&M International University: Reading the Globe

    Study Abroad

    • University of Tulsa: Jumpstart TU
    • University of Otago: A Place to Stand, A World to Explore

    International Partnerships

    • Lehigh University: United Nations Partnership
    • Honorable Mention, Kansas State University: Australian Initiative and Oz-to-Oz

    Internationalizing the Community College

    • Harper College: Global Region of Focus Initiative

    International Partnerships

    • Broward College: International Partnership Centers: The Third Way initiative

    Student Mobility

    • Lehigh University: Iacocca International Internship Program
    • Honorable Mention, De Montfort University: Leicester, England, #DMUglobal

    Study Abroad/Access & Equity

    • University of South Florida: USF Education Abroad Inclusion Initiative

    Higher Education in Emergencies

    • University of Evansville: Scholars for Syria Initiative

    Scholars as Drivers of Innovation

    • Agnes Scott College: Summit Program
    • Honorable Mention, Ferris State University: Beyond Initiative

    International Partnerships

    • West Virginia University: WVU – RUW Partnership

    Internationalizing the Campus

    • Virginia Commonwealth University: VCU Globe
    • Honorable Mention, Northwestern University: Program in Global Health Studies (GHS)
    • Honorable Mention, Rochester Institute of Technology: A Blueprint for Global STEAM Education

    Study Abroad

    • University of Massachusetts Lowell: Global Entrepreneurship Exchange
    • Honorable Mention, Baldwin Wallace University: BW in Zambia

    Internationalizing the Community College

    • Ohio State Agricultural Technical Institute: Ghana Research and Education Abroad
    • Honorable Mention, Pima Community College: Mexico Project

    International Partnerships

    • Mississippi State University: Mississippi-Morocco Partnership
    • Honorable Mention, University of Warwick: The International Conference of Undergraduate Research (ICUR)

    Internationalizing the Campus

    • Macquarie University: Global Leadership Program (GLP)
    • Honorable Mention, Georgia Gwinnett College: Internationalization of the Curriculum: Engaging the World to Develop Global Citizens

    Study Abroad

    • Northern Arizona University: Interdisciplinary Global Programs
    • Honorable Mention, Indiana University: Global Gateway for Teachers

    Internationalizing the MSI

    • Santa Monica College: Global Citizenship
    • Virginia Union University: Institutionalizing Internationalization at VUU

    International Partnerships

    • University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign: ISIP/INSPIRE
    • Honorable Mention, Northwestern University: International Program Development (IPD)

    Internationalizing the Campus

    • Florida International University: Global Learning for Global Citizenship
    • Case Western Reserve University: Plan for Internationalization
    • Honorable Mention, Temple University: International Educator’s Academy

    Study Abroad

    • The University of Iowa: India Winterim International Development
    • Honorable Mention, Sacred Heart University: College of Nursing Study Abroad
    • Honorable Mention, SUNY Oswego: “I Too, Am Study Abroad”

    Internationalizing the HBCU

    • Tennessee State University: Diversity and International Affairs

    International Partnerships

    • Auburn University: Auburn-Keimyung Korea Center
    • Honorable Mention, The Ohio State University: Ohio State One Health Ethiopia Partnership

    Internationalizing the Campus

    • Texas Christian University: Discovering Global Citizenship
    • Honorable Mention, Purdue University: Purdue International Integration Initiative (P3i)
    • Honorable Mention, Higher School of Economics in Moscow: Internationalization Program

    Study Abroad

    • SUNY New Paltz: CIP – EOP Study Abroad Initiative
    • Honorable Mention, University of Minnesota: Bridging Loan Program

    Internationalizing the Community College

    • Madison Area Technical College: Community College Sustainable Development Network
    • Honorable Mention, Miami Dade College: Diasporic Knowledge Remittance Study Abroad
    • Honorable Mention, Spokane Falls Community College: 2020 Global Vision

    International Partnerships

    • University of Michigan-Shanghai Jiao Tong University: Joint Institute
    • Honorable Mention, Franklin University & Wyzsza Szkola Bankowa (Poland) Academic Partnership
    • Honorable Mention, Universidad Autonoma del Estado de Mexico – University of North Texas, UAEM – UNT Academic Liaison Offices

    Internationalizing the Campus

    • University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire: International Fellows Program
    • Honorable Mention, University of British Columbia: Africa Awareness Initiative
    • Honorable Mention, University of Hyderabad: Study in India Program

    Study Abroad

    • Clemson University: Engineers for Developing Countries
    • Honorable Mention, DePaul University: FY@broad

    Internationalizing the Community College

    • Lone Star College System: Faculty International Exploration Award
    • Honorable Mention, Valencia College: Faculty Development for Study Abroad

    International Partnerships

    • St. Cloud State University: Partnership with Universidad de Concepcion
    • Honorable Mention, University of South Florida: Ghana Scholars Program

    Internationalizing the Campus

    • Susquehanna University: Global Opportunities (GO)

    Study Abroad

    • Wake Forest University: Project MAAP (Magnolia Abroad Access Program)
    • Honorable Mention, University of Pittsburgh: The Vira I. Heinz Program for Women in Global Leadership

    Internationalizing the Community College

    • Pitt Community College: International Education Travel Scholarship (IETS)

    Special Recognition: Internationalizing the Professions

    • Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University: Air Traffic Management
    • La Trobe University: Oral Health in Nepal
    • Saint Louis University: Nursing with International Preparation
    • Shoreline Community College: Dental Hygiene Education/Smiles Forever

    International Partnerships

    • Hendrix College: Rwanda Presidential Scholars Program
    • Honorable Mention, Victoria University & University of Texas, El Paso: VU/UTEP Global Engagement & Learning Program

    Internationalizing the Campus

    • University of Kentucky: Discover Germany – Discover USA

    Study Abroad

    • University of Rhode Island: International Engineering Program (IEP)
    • Honorable Mention, University of Georgia: Global Programs in Sustainability

    Study Abroad at the Community College

    • Community College of Baltimore City & Howard Community College: Global Distinction
    • Honorable Mention, Community College of Philadelphia: Student-Faculty International Fellowship Program

    International Partnerships

    • Georgetown University Law Center: Center for Transnational Legal Studies (CTLS)
    • Honorable Mention, The Chinese University of Hong Kong & UNC & CBS: Global Learning Opportunities in Business Education (GLOBE)

    Internationalizing the Campus, Special Focus on Business Education

    • College of Wooster: Global Social Entrepreneurship (Global SE)
    • Honorable Mention: The George Washington University School of Business: The GWSB Global MBA Program

    Study Abroad

    • Northeastern University: Dialogue of Civilization
    • Honorable Mention, Japan Center for Michigan Universities: Intensive Language Study in Japan
    • Honorable Mention, Kennesaw State University: Expanding Access and Enhancing Intercultural Learning
    • Special Recognition, German Academic Exchange Service/DAAD: Research Internships in Science and Engineering (RISE)

    Study Abroad at the Community College

    • Houston Community College: International Business/Logistics & Supply Chain Management
    • Honorable Mention, Genesee Community College: Nursing and Science (path and biotech) clinical exchange

    U.S.-Spain Academic Cooperation

    • University of Nebraska Lincoln & University of Castilla-La Mancha: Harold E. Spencer Exchange in Teacher Education
    • Honorable Mention, Universidad de Cantabria & Cornell College of Engineering: The Cornell-Cantabria Program (CCEP)

    International Partnerships

    • California Institute of Technology: Dual Master’s Degree program in Aerospace Engineering or Aeronautics and Fluid Mechanics: A Joint Partnership between the California Institute of Technology and Ecole Polytechnique
    • Honorable Mention, North Carolina State University in Partnership with Université Paul Cézanne- IAE Aix-en Provence: Master of Global Innovation Management

    Internationalizing the Campus, Special Focus on Engineering Programs

    • Georgia Institution of Technology: The International Plan
    • Honorable Mention, University of Colorado at Boulder: Internationalization in the University of Colorado at Boulder’s College of Engineering and Applied Science

    Study Abroad

    • Angelo State University: Fostering International Education through Study Abroad: Removing Participation Barriers for Students and Faculty
    • Washington & Jefferson College: The Magellan Project

    Study Abroad at the Community College

    • College of Lake County: Semester-long Study Abroad Program at XAIU (Xi’an International University)
    • Honorable Mention, Howard Community College: Mexico Language Study Abroad Initiatives

    International Partnerships

    • Indiana University Purdue University at Indianapolis: IUPUI Office of International Affairs
    • Honorable Mention, Ohio University: Research Collabroation via Web-based Technology between the University of Liberia (West Afric) and Ohop University Undergraduates: Best Practices in Microfinance

    Internationalizing the Campus

    • Champlain College: Institute of Global Engagement
    • Universidad de Monterrey (UDEM): Strategic Plan for the Internationalization of UDEM

    Study Abroad

    • Clemson University and The University of Kansas: Maymester Study Abroad in Carpi, Italy for Education Majors
    • Honorable Mention, Vanderbilt University: Vanderbilt Initiative for Scholarship and Global Engagement

    Study Abroad at the Community College

    • Scottsdale Community College: Australia and New Zealand: Connecting Communities, Sharing Cultures
    • Honorable Mention, Chaffey College: Study Near & Far, Salt Lake Community College: Vietnam Study Abroad Program

    International Exchange Partnerships

    • University of Georgia: The UGA Tunisia Educational Partnership
    • Honorable Mention, East Carolina University: Global Academic Initiatives

    Internationalizing the Campus

    • St. Louis Community College, Forest Park: Global Education Committee
    • Honorable Mention, Florence-Darlington Technical College: A Global Village for Two Year Institutions–Domestic & Abroad
    • Honorable Mention, Leeds Metropolitan University: Internationalization Strategy

    Study Abroad

    • Rice University & The University of Tulsa: NanoJapan: Summer Nanotechnology Research Program for Undergraduates
    • Honorable Mention, Grand Valley State University: Barbara H. Padnos International Center
    • Honorable Mention, State University of New York at Buffalo: International Comparative Urban Planning “Studio”

    International Exchange Partnerships

    • The State University of New York System Administration: Turkish Dual Diploma Programs
    • Honorable Mention, Bard College: Smolny College–A Joint Venture Between Bard College and St. Petersburg State University

    Internationalizing the Campus

    • University of Delaware: Advancement of a Campus-Wide International Curriculum
    • Honorable Mention, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University: Global Studies Certificate Program

    Study Abroad

    • Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU): Global Opportunities on I-10
    • Emory University: Emory College’s Science Experience Abroad: Study Abroad Program for Science Students
    • Honorable Mention, University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire: Removing Barriers and Extending the Reach
    • Honorable Mention, Valdosta State University: Study Abroad Program in Guadalajara

    Internationalizing the Campus

    • George Mason University: Provost’s Advisory Committee on Global Research and Education
    • Honorable Mention, Georgia Institute of Technology: The International Plan
    • Special Recognition, Atlantic Coast Conference Consortium: Atlantic Coast Conference International Academic Collaborative

    Study Abroad

    • Higher Education Consortium for Urban Affairs (HECUA): Community and Development Program in Bangladesh
    • Honorable Mention, Glendale Community College: The Baja California Field Studies Program: Field-Based International Education for Community College Students
    • Honorable Mention, Voorhees College: Developing Cultural Context and Intercultural Entrepreneurship Competencies
    • Special Recognition, University of Kansas Medical Center: International Health Electives

    Faculty Programs

    • Central Missouri State University: Maastricht Center for Transatlantic Studies
    • Honorable Mention, University of North Dakota: Shanghai-North Dakota Joint Business Management Initiative

    Internationalizing the Campus

    • Santa Fe Community College: SFCC International Education Initiative
    • Honorable Mention, American University: AU Abroad and Abroad at AU
    • Honorable Mention, University of Hawaii – Kapiolani Community College: Island Roots and Global Reach: Kapiolani Community College’s International Education Program

    Study Abroad

    • University of Pittsburgh: The Plus3 Program: An Early Exposure to Study Abroad
    • Honorable Mention, Kalamazoo College: People, the Environment, and Development: Landscape-Based Studies of Southeast Asian Ecosystems and Cultures
    • Honorable Mention, The University of Arizona: Trilateral Consortium on Capacity Building in Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies

    Faculty Programs

    • Tecnológico de Monterrey, México: Educational Model

    Internationalizing the Campus

    • Northeastern Illinois University: Internationalization of Northeastern Illinois University
    • Honorable Mention, Binghamton University, State University of New York: Languages Across the Curriculum
    • Honorable Mention, Georgia State University: Cross-Cultural Conversation and Service Partners

    Study Abroad

    • Tufts University: The International Research Program: Integrating Study Abroad and International Research
    • Honorable Mention, University of Arkansas: Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural Global Studies Program
    • Honorable Mention, Worcester Polytechnic Institute: The Global Perspective Program

    Faculty Programs

    • Colorado State University: The International Development Studies Faculty Mentoring Program
    • Honorable Mention, University of Richmond: Faculty Seminar Abroad
    • Honorable Mention, California State University: San Bernardino Professors Across Borders

    Internationalizing the Campus

    • Chatham College: Global Focus Program

    Study Abroad

    • Fox Valley Technical College: Transatlantic Automotive Technology (TransAutoTEC) Project
    • Honorable Mention, University of Southern Mississippi: Vietnam Studies Program
    • Honorable Mention, Lake Superior College: Mexico Study Abroad Learning Community

    Faculty Programs

    • University of Missouri-Columbia: Global Scholars Program
    • Honorable Mention, University of Richmond: Faculty Seminar Abroad
    • Honorable Mention, Emory University: Faculty Study Trip Program of the Claus M. Halle Institute for Global Learning
    • Honorable Mention, Colorado State University: International Development Faculty Mentoring Program

    Internationalizing the Campus

    • Juniata College: Language in Motion
    • Montana State University: Arabic Language and Middle East/North Africa Cultural Studies Program
    • Honorable Mention, University of Nebraska, Omaha: International Studies and Programs Campus and Community Service Project
    • Honorable Mention, University of Colorado, Denver: International Colleges Program

    Study Abroad

    • San Diego State University: Undergraduate International Business Program
    • Honorable Mention, Barnard College: Study Abroad Communications Project
    • Honorable Mention, Brookdale Community College: Faculty-Led Short-Term Study Abroad Programs