Newcomb-Tulane College (NTC) received two special awards as International Education Week (IEW) wrapped up. Elizabeth Rafferty with the Center for Global Education was recognized with an individual award and the Academic Learning and Tutoring Center (ALTC) received a team award.
IEW is a joint national initiative of the Department of State and the Department of Education to think more deeply about and celebrate internationalization across U.S. campuses. At Tulane, IEW is also meant to cultivate spaces for global awareness across borders, fostering an inclusive international community, and facilitating impactful global learning and engagement, while also aligning with our institutional mission of equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Elizabeth won the International Student and Scholar Champion Award. This award recognizes a faculty or staff member of the Tulane community who contributes to and supports the international experience on campus. Candidates are nominated by an international student or scholar and exhibit qualities, achievements, or efforts that support the international community and make international students, staff, and faculty feel welcome. They are an example of excellence in promoting cross-cultural understanding and fostering global diversity, by making contributions to further enrich the experiences of international students, staff, and faculty members on and off campus; and by providing support to the international population beyond the boundary of their job duties.
“At Tulane, professors expect our international students to be bright, which they certainly are. But seven and a half years ago when I started teaching at Tulane, I did not expect to work with some of the best students of my professional career. Their work ethic is powerful, their academic prowess is inspiring and most importantly, their characters are profound. They smile and greet me warmly daily, even when I know they are ill, horrifically homesick, or simply overwhelmed by cultural differences, many times they are experiencing all these emotions simultaneously plus more. Our audacious international students are one of Tulane’s greatest assets,” says Elizabeth Rafferty.
The Team Award for International Student and Scholar Support was given to the ALTC. This award is presented to a department, team, or office to thank them for their support of Tulane’s international population. These teams advocate for international students and demonstrate cross-cultural competency in their interactions. This award recognizes a team’s dedication to creating an inclusive, globally aware, and enriching environment for international students and scholars at Tulane. We like to acknowledge the role the department plays in ensuring that international students not only succeed academically but also thrive personally while pursuing their education on our campus.
Christie Kahil, director of the Academic Learning and Tutoring Center, shared, “We are truly honored and grateful to have received the Team Award for International Student and Scholar Support from the Office of International Students and Scholars. Winning this award means the world to our Academic Learning & Tutoring Center team, as it underscores our unwavering commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment for our international community.”
