The International Achievement Luncheon celebrates the accomplishments of Case Western Reserve University's students, faculty and staff in contributing to the university's internationalization.
The event features the Global Citizen Awards, which honor outstanding individuals and organizations on campus, and unveils the winners of the annual Study Abroad Photo Contest. You can view previous years' winners below!
The International Achievement Luncheon is held annually during the spring semester. It is by invitation only.
You can watch the 2022 Global Citizen Awards virtual ceremony here.
The Center for International Affairs' Global Citizen Awards recognize students, organizations and campus offices that enhance the international student experience, promote a sense of community at Case Western Reserve University and exemplify the university's values of inclusion and diversity.
Watch the 2022 Global Citizen Awards Ceremony
Spirit of Service Award: Taylor Ernst
Spirit of Service honors a student who has served the campus community with vigor, devotion, and an unshakable positive attitude. This student has an inspirational and infectious optimism, nurtures an appreciation of diversity, and creates an awareness of our responsibilities as global citizens through extraordinary service to the university.
Taylor Ernst has served her community in a variety of ways. She manages administrative aspects of the #MeToo CWRU organization and advocates for the movement a supporter of survivors. She works hard to educate others “...in the hopes of preventing ‘future survivors’,” and Taylor creates safe spaces for survivors and allies.
Taylor also volunteers at Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, visiting patients with her therapy fish – yes, her therapy fish! – named Nemo, who she has trained to do a variety of tricks.
Taylor also works with Student Activities and Leadership to “...cultivate a program that allows students to become better leaders, recognize their strengths (as well as their peers’), and assist in the planning and managing of events...”
Taylor has positively impacted the lives of many through her work in diverse campus-wide initiatives.
Unsung Champion Award: Swara Yadav
The Unsung Champion Award is presented to a student who has been involved on campus but has not necessarily held formal leadership positions. Unsung champions take on tasks they see needing to be done without being asked, and they serve fellow students in positive ways, enhancing the international student experience.
Swara Yadav uses her time and resources to serve her community in meaningful, tangible ways. In August, she helped pick students up from the airport and bring them to campus. She also housed newly arrived graduate students in her apartment until they could find homes of their own, giving them space to decompress from travel and a ‘soft landing’ in Cleveland. Swara also worked with the student organization Satrang to provide an orientation session for newly arrived graduate students, all on her own time.
Swara has also worked with her community to hold meaningful events like Diwali and Navaratri, finding ways to celebrate her culture even during the second year of the pandemic. Swara’s positive attitude while working behind the scenes always finds a way to shine through.
Outstanding Student Organization Award: Graduate Council of Arts and Sciences
The Outstanding Student Organization award goes to a university-recognized group that has gone above and beyond a focus on their own membership to create a positive campus environment.
The Graduate Council of Arts and Sciences (GCAS) has found a variety of ways to improve the university experience for graduate students throughout their college by prioritizing advocacy – supporting initiatives requesting childcare stipends for graduate students with children, representing their college in meetings with administration, and considering the specific needs of international students. When international students were unable to return to the US due to pandemic restrictions, this organization advocated for meeting their financial and academic needs while they were still abroad.
Despite pandemic restrictions, GCAS organized the Professional Development Week in March and invited a variety of speakers to help students build skills and confidence as they face the post-covid job market. GCAS also collaborated with University Health and Counseling Services to meet students’ mental health needs.
Finally, GCAS built bridges, working directly with the Dean of the college to organize a Dean’s Forum where students can speak directly with leadership about their concerns and influence change.
Laurie D. Zelman International Undergraduate Student Award: Cheng-En "Austin" Cheng
The Laurie D. Zelman International Undergraduate Student award is presented to a student who helps to create an inclusive community, encourages understanding among people of different cultures, is involved in positive work on campus, and helps others achieve their potential.
Cheng-En “Austin” Cheng arrived at CWRU in Fall 2020 and has already had a positive impact on our campus community. Having experienced the transition to CWRU during the pandemic, Austin chose to serve as an Orientation Leader in 2021 and to use his experiences to help make other students’ transitions easier. He provided resources and support to incoming international students and was intentional about building connections with them. Austin has actively participated in CCEL Scholars, Undergraduate Research Scholars, and student organizations, including the Taiwanese American Student Association. Additionally, Austin serves as a research assistant, studying cancer treatments, and he has used his experiences doing on-campus work to help other students navigate the employment process. Finally, Austin reaches beyond the international student community to raise awareness among his peers of the particular challenges international students face and how to support them. Austin is compassionate and sensitive with a deep appreciation for people of all cultures and walks of life. He is an exemplary leader who strives to continuously learn and educate others. Austin believes in pushing through barriers to pursue his own goals and to support others in the pursuit of their dreams.
Elise Lindsay International Graduate Student Award: Priyanka Suresh
With the Elise Lindsay International Graduate Student award, we honor a student who has exemplified talent, perseverance, courage, and a desire to make the world a better place through inclusion, research, teaching, care for others, or betterment of the university community.
Priyanka Suresh is described as “compassionate, dedicated and an inspiring leader.” Along with our Unsung Champion, Swara, Priyanka also served as a Satrang Executive, picked up students from the airport, organized temporary accommodations, and provided students with resources. Priyanka went above and beyond this, as well, by helping students understand lease agreements, bank accounts, navigating the area, and employment information. She is a reliable resource for all new students and gives her time and shares her experiences freely.
Priyanka also reaches beyond her own small community to serve the campus. She served as a graduate mentor in WISHED – the Women in Science and Humanities Earning Doctorates – assisting two undergraduates in their research. She participates in dialogues on women in STEM, does outreach to Cleveland area middle schoolers, and has even conducted workshops for the Girl Scouts!
Priyanka’s work serving students individually, the CWRU campus, and the Cleveland community, all while pursuing her PhD, has been stellar.
The Outstanding Partner in Collaboration Award: The Office for Diversity, Inclusion and Equal Opportunity
The Outstanding Partner in Collaboration Award goes to a campus partner that has successfully worked with the Center for International Affairs on programming and events, collaboration on projects, and other work which has benefited the international student community and internationalization efforts.
The Office for Diversity, Inclusion and Equal Opportunity (OIDEO) not only supports internationalization through public-facing efforts, but has also undertaken a great deal of internationalization work in the background, much of which is just beginning to come to fruition now, in 2022.
OIDEO has promoted DEII (diversity, equity, inclusion, and internationalization) in its speaker series, on-campus programming, and strategic planning. The office has provided DACA and immigration rights information to the campus, involved Center staff in its advisory teams, and partnered with the Center on projects.
Throughout 2021, OIDEO also partnered with the Center for International Affairs to lead the Higher Learning Commission - Quality Initiative. Staff from both offices worked together to propose DEII-related programming as part of the HLC-QI, building cross-campus relationships and laying the groundwork for future internationalization efforts.
One of the many HLC-QI initiatives currently taking shape is the Advancing Inclusivity, Internationalization, Diversity and Equity (AIIDE) - Teaching Learning Collaborative, which brings together our honoree, the Center for International Affairs, and UCITE in a new educational development program for faculty. Without the tireless persistence of OIDEO’s staff throughout 2021, the Teaching Learning Collaborative and many other upcoming initiatives would not be taking place in 2022.
True internationalization often requires systemic change and hard work, which goes unseen. The Office for Diversity, Inclusion and Equal Opportunity understands that and rises to the challenge as an outstanding campus partners.
International Leader Award: Robert Gao, PhD
The International Leader Award honors a faculty or staff member who embodies what it means to be a global citizen at CWRU and serves as an inspiration for others. This person champions internationalization on campus through exemplary efforts to promote an inclusive culture of global citizenship by creating opportunities for students to broaden their world view, and encouraging cross-cultural understanding.
Robert Gao, the Cady Staley Professor of Engineering and the Chair of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, has been instrumental in creating spaces for student success during the pandemic and supporting CWRU’s internationalization efforts. He joined the Center for International Affairs team and expertly negotiated with partners in China to create and establish CWRU at XJTU, a partnership between Case Western Reserve and Xi’an Jiaotong University. Throughout the Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 semester, this partnership provided over 200 CWRU students with the opportunity to live in community and take CWRU classes from afar. These were arguable the only CWRU students who had a “normal” college experience during the pandemic, none of which would have been possible without Professor Gao’s quick thinking and tireless efforts; without his understanding of China and Chinese language; and without his intercultural communication skills and extraordinary efforts.
In addition to this remarkable work, Professor Gao is a member of the International Affairs Advisory Council, a consistent supporter of internationalization at CWRU, and a true friend to the Center for International Affairs.
The Study Abroad Photo Contest features submissions from Case Western Reserve study abroad students' experiences around the world. These photos help the Center for International Affairs and its Office of Education Abroad show other students what studying abroad looks like to get them interested and excited about the opportunity to learn in another country.
2022 Contest Winners Coming Soon!
The Center for International Affairs' Global Citizen Awards recognize students, faculty or staff, student organizations and campus offices that enhance the international student experience, promote a sense of community at Case Western Reserve University and exemplify the university's values of inclusion and diversity.
Watch the 2021 Global Citizen Awards
Spirit of Service Award: Rita Lakhssassi
Spirit of Service honors a student who has served the campus community with vigor, devotion, and an unshakable positive attitude. This student has an inspirational and infectious optimism, nurtures an appreciation of diversity, and creates awareness of our responsibilities as global citizens through extraordinary service to the university.
Realizing more than 800 refugee and asylee school-aged children were being moved to remote education due to the COVID-19 crisis, Rita took action. She reached out to local refugee agencies and connected the children these agencies serve with Case Western Reserve students willing to tutor them. Rita also built bridges enabling refugees and asylees to receive pro-bono legal assistance. She helped reconnect the CWRU Law Clinic with refugee families in need of immigration assistance, and she helped connect refugee-serving organizations with the Legal Aid Society. Rita is a nutritional biochemistry and metabolism major with a public health minor in the College of Arts and Sciences on the pre-health track.
Unsung Champion Award: Fei Wang
The Unsung Champion Award is presented to a student who has been involved on campus, but has not necessarily held formal leadership positions. Unsung champions take on tasks they see needing to be done without being asked, and they serve fellow students in positive ways, enhancing the international student experience.
When the university shut down in March 2020, Fei made sure classmates had masks and everything they needed. One nominator wrote: “The COVID-19 pandemic left many international students isolated and struggling when life’s challenges arose. During these critical times, she offered to provide students with transportation to the airport and grocery store, as well as helped them move to new apartments. These acts of kindness resonated deeply with students. Rita is a PhD candidate at the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences.
Outstanding Student Organization - International Student Fellowship
The Outstanding Student Organization award goes to a university-recognized group that has gone above and beyond a focus on their own membership to create a positive campus environment for everyone. These organizations value cultural diversity and make it an integral part of what they do at Case Western Reserve University.
In 2020, as the university moved to remote learning and teaching, International Student Fellowship (ISF) also took their work to virtual platforms. They organized weekly study groups and “hangouts” for students. They created special events for holidays like Christmas and Easter, delivering celebratory meals to any student who requested one; they organized relaxing, re-centering events like painting night, delivering supplies in advance so all who wanted to could participate; and they modified the work they did annually, like their furniture giveaway, to meet health and safety requirements. They cared for each and every student, reaching out to them, organizing events, texting individuals, and thoughtfully considering the needs of those both in Cleveland and abroad. This year, and every year, ISF promotes an attitude of learning from and appreciating others' cultures. Through its work, students from around the world - including Jamaica, Ghana, India, China, and Canada - develop friendships which will last a lifetime!
Outstanding Campus Partner in Collaboration - Undergraduate Studies
The Outstanding Partner in Collaboration Award goes to a campus partner that has successfully worked with the Center for International Affairs on programming and events, collaboration on projects, and other work which has benefited the international student community and internationalization efforts.
The Office of Undergraduate Studies' staff graciously assists the Center for International Affairs and exchange students throughout the exchange process, from providing expertise while reviewing applications, to setting aside time to assist exchange students with course registration. They also help study abroad returnees transfer credit from abroad. The process requires a great deal of knowledge about a wide variety of international education systems, but their staff always help seamlessly process the transcripts and give students the credit they earned. They are also great partners in assisting international students. They value international students, keep their specific needs in mind in all situations, and work with us to determine how an educational change may impact their visa status. In 2020, Undergraduate Studies went to even greater lengths to partner with us in supporting international and study abroad students and their unique challenges caused by the pandemic.
Laurie D. Zelman Outstanding Undergraduate Award: Avantika Bhaduri
The Laurie D. Zelman International Undergraduate Student award is presented to a student who helps to create an inclusive community, encourages understanding among people of different cultures, is involved in positive work on campus, and helps others achieve their potential.
Avantika served as an Orientation Leader and on the Orientation Executive Board. Throughout her time working with Orientation, she kept her focus on the student experience, “making sure students felt ‘at home’ at CWRU.” She was careful and deliberate in her work, considering students’ backgrounds and time zones as she planned “welcome” events for first year undergraduates. She did her best to create a comfortable, safe atmosphere for all involved, knowing that would create a chain reaction which could alter the social climate at CWRU for the better. In addition to her excellent work with Orientation and her impressive academic successes, she has also served as a peer tutor, worked at Camp Kesem, served as a CCEL Scholar, volunteered at University Hospitals, and served the Greek community through her sorority, Kappa Alpha Theta. Avantika is a medical anthropology major in the College of Arts and Sciences on the pre-health track.
International Leader Award: Kim McFarlin
The International Leader Award honors a faculty or staff member who embodies what it means to be a global citizen at CWRU and serves as an inspiration for others. This person champions internationalization on campus through exemplary efforts to promote an inclusive culture of global citizenship by creating opportunities for students to broaden their world view, and encouraging cross-cultural understanding.
Kim McFarlin is the Director of International Affairs at the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences and works tirelessly to build an inclusive, international community in her school and share her expertise throughout campus.
International students know that she genuinely cares and strives to support them. In her meetings with students, she creates a warm, welcoming environment, listens carefully to their concerns and struggles, and provides unconditional support and real-world tools to help students help themselves. Kim also serves as the advisor for a student group which organizes a wide range of activities to welcome new students, provide language support, cross-cultural learning opportunities, and make sure students have all they need. When the 2020 pandemic hit, she reached out to students and faculty to ensure all international students - both in Cleveland and learning remotely - were supported. Additionally, Kim has frequently worked with the Center for International Affairs and others on campus to provide her school’s faculty with training and insights on how to best support their international students.
Elise Lindsay International Graduate Student Award: Arvind Singh Heer
The Elise Lindsay International Graduate Student award is given in remembrance of a former director of International Student Services, who loved CWRU’s international students. She recognized their talent, saw their courage and believed they could and would change the world for the better. With this award, we honor a student who has exemplified the qualities of talent, perseverance, courage, and a desire to make the world a better place through inclusion, research, teaching, care for others, and betterment of the university community.
When his fellow students are overwhelmed, Arvind eases their stress and provides guidance. As one student wrote, “He was present in the lab every day, and whenever I needed any sort of assistance he would respond to my emails in a very timely manner, never leaving me out of the loop.” Another student wrote, “Very rarely have I encountered a teaching assistant as driven to ensure students maximize their lab learning experience as much as him. Every lab, he always created an incredibly positive atmosphere.... His deep knowledge of chemistry additionally enabled him to provide helpful tips that made experiments run much more smoothly.“ Arvind also shares his experiences with students, helping them gain a better understanding of the challenges our international students face in packing up their lives and moving to the U.S. to study.
He has welcomed newcomers to campus, spent time helping them adapt, and he stands with anyone who needs him, no matter the situation. His fellow students, and those who he teaches, all praise him for being an exemplar of the qualities Elise Lindsay saw in her students.
The Study Abroad Photo Contest features submissions from Case Western Reserve study abroad students' experiences around the world. These photos help the Center for International Affairs and its Office of Education Abroad show other students what studying abroad looks like to get them interested and excited about the opportunity to learn in another country. Unfortunately, the pandemic prevented our students from studying abroad, so we gave the 2021 contest a “throwback” theme to give those who have studied abroad in the past a chance to relive their experience by looking through their photos!
Watch the 2021 Study Abroad Photo Contest Virtual Ceremony
Scenery: Catherine Mohme, a biomedical engineering major who studied abroad in South Africa during May Term, 2017. This photo shows a scenic view of Cape Town, South Africa during her experience.
Spartans Abroad: Katherine Glaess, a biomedical engineering and electrical engineering major who studied abroad at Tianjin University during summer 2018. She's seen here in a market in Tianjin.
Cultural Experience: Susan Wong, a psychology and communication sciences major with minors in public health and communication for health professionals. She studied abroad during spring 2020 at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. Susan is pictured here eating what she described as delicious fish and chips at the Isle of Skye in Scotland.
The World is Your Classroom: Eileah Pye, a sociology and communication sciences major who studied abroad in Morocco during spring 2020. Eileah was in a french immersion program in Morocco in spring 2020 when this photo was taken. She was visiting the city of Meknes and bent down to take a picture of a monkey and one came right up to her!
Vintage: Kathy Perevosnik, a CWRU alumna who studied abroad at Lancaster University in the UK in 1993 and 1994. She majored in macromolecular science and engineering while at CWRU.
Facebook's Most Likes: Elisabeth Chillrud, a marketing major who studied abroad in Madrid during spring 2020. This photo is of the Castle of the Moors, was taken while on a trip to Sintra, Portugal.
This year, we have two overall winning photos! Both are from Case Western Reserve alumni, but from different eras in order to showcase the "throwback" theme of this year's contest.
Overall Winner 1: Bradley Odhner, a CWRU alumnus who studied abroad in Italy during summer 2015. He majored in physics and classic and graduated in 2018. This year, we have two overall winning photos! Both are from CWRU alumni, but from different eras in order to showcase the "throwback" theme of this year's photo contest.
Overall Winner 2: Michael Finley, a CWRU alumnus who studied abroad in Tuebingen, Germany. This photo is of Michael at Stonehenge during a trip to the UK. He was a biochemistry major and graduated in 1993.
The Center for International Affairs' Global Citizen Awards recognize students, faculty or staff, student organizations and campus offices that enhance the international student experience, promote a sense of community at Case Western Reserve University and exemplify the university's values of inclusion and diversity.
Watch the 2020 Global Citizen Awards Ceremony
Spirit of Service Award: Kai Wang
Spirit of Service honors a student who has served the campus community with vigor, devotion, and an unshakable positive attitude. This student has an inspirational and infectious optimism, nurtures an appreciation of diversity, and creates awareness of our responsibilities as global citizens through extraordinary service to the university.
As part of her involvement with the Graduate Council of Arts and Sciences, Kai took on the role of lead communicator on behalf of the students of the College of Arts and Sciences in the vote pertaining to RTA passes. It was a challenging issue, but she worked tirelessly to represent her college and her constituents. In addition to her service in student government, she has served our international student community through the International Student Fellowship. She organized key events like their annual furniture giveaway, coordinated weekly meetings and gatherings for students, and helped integrate new students into the Case Western Reserve community. Off campus, she has volunteered at nearby schools to teach children to enjoy studying science, and has facilitated partnerships between Case Western Reserve students and students at neighboring universities.
Unsung Champion Award: Fabiana Irigoyen Jimenez
The Unsung Champion Award is presented to a student who has been involved on campus but has not necessarily held formal leadership positions. Unsung champions take on tasks they see needing to be done without being asked, and they serve fellow students in positive ways, enhancing the international student experience.
Fabiana has opened up many channels for international students to be able to speak their minds, voice their concerns, and receive the support they need. In the past year, through her work at the Office of Multicultural Affairs, this student created and organized a discussion group for international students to come and share their experiences, which has now begun a transition to using the Sustained Dialogue model to learn what students’ needs are and to create an actionable plan for addressing those needs. Fabiana shares her own insights and experiences with others and creates space for others to share theirs. She pays attention to world events, asks good questions, and makes sure those around her stay well-informed. And, in addition to her work amplifying the voices of our international students, she also volunteers at Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital.
Outstanding Student Organization Award: International Club
The Outstanding Student Organization award goes to a university-recognized group that has gone above and beyond a focus on their own membership to create a positive campus environment for everyone. These organizations value cultural diversity and make it an integral part of what they do at Case Western Reserve.
For many years, International Club has set a standard “above and beyond” what any other student organization does to welcome students of all backgrounds to campus. They start each year with a welcome letter to students, connect with them at the Student Activities Fair, have their own mentor/mentee partnerships to support new students, and sustain these relationships through the transition back to class each Fall. They work with the Center for International Affairs to cross-promote and co-sponsor events, making sure all of their members know of the many resources available to them. Additionally, members of this organization’s executive team are faithful to answer emails in a timely fashion, reliable to fulfill all of their obligations, are our “go-to” students when we need insight on how our students are doing and can be counted on to represent Case Western Reserve with poise and maturity. In the Spring of 2019, we co-sponsored and co-hosted our first Career Preparation Etiquette Dinner – to help international students successfully prepare for networking events, job interviews and career opportunities that involve a meal. Without their support, the etiquette dinner would not have been nearly as successful, and we are grateful for all this organization has done throughout our partnership with them.
Outstanding Partner in Collaboration Award: University Health and Counseling Services
The Outstanding Partner in Collaboration Award goes to a campus partner that has successfully worked with the Center for International Affairs on programming and events, collaboration on projects, and other work which has benefited the international student community and internationalization efforts.
The staff of University Health and Counseling Services work tirelessly to support Case Western Reserve’s international students and has established a partnership of trust, mutual understanding, and mutual support with the Center for International Affairs. They frequently work one-on-one with members of our staff to ensure they provide support to students which is culturally relevant and meet students “right where they are”. They are thoughtful, interested, and always open to learning more. They also make themselves available to consult on challenges our staff is facing and to provide support whenever and however it is needed. They also take great care in preparing all of our study abroad students to overcome any challenges they may face overseas. Staff members prepare information on the health and safety considerations for every country students are planning to visit, including explanations about vaccinations, medications, and common travel ailments and how to plan ahead to avoid lapses in medical care. The staff go to the same extensive lengths when preparing study abroad students for overcoming mental healthcare challenges, as well. Last Fall, they worked with our office to plan a training on supporting international students’ mental health. Together, we received a grant to fund this “first annual” event, and we were able to welcome a nationally-known expert in international student mental health to campus in January 2020. Together, we have worked to provide our students and staff with excellent support and guidance, and to create a healthier international community here at Case Western Reserve.
Laurie D. Zelman International Undergraduate Student Award: Sharan Mehta
The Laurie D. Zelman International Undergraduate Student award is presented to a student who helps to create an inclusive community, encourages understanding among people of different cultures, is involved in positive work on campus, and helps others achieve their potential.
Sharan has worked on multiple successful initiatives throughout the campus that have served to support underrepresented students as well as the undergraduate student body as a whole. Through his work on Undergraduate Student Governments' (USG) Student Life Committee, he has worked with First-Year Experience to provide students with a safe, welcoming environment during the critical first year of life on campus. He also established the food subcommittee where he helped increase the number of vegetarian and vegan options available in dining halls throughout campus and to open Tomlinson Café for regular swipes. In his role on the USG’s Diversity and Inclusion committee, he worked with the Office of Disability Resources and University Housing on improving the mobility accessibility in the North Village, making sure students of all abilities would be able to live comfortably and access their residence halls. His work has truly helped “create an inclusive community” on the Case Western Reserve campus. One of his nominators wrote that this student is working on a very special project through USG, to create a physical resource center that would accept donations from Case Western Reserve students and allow any student to take any item for free. This would help students with financial hardships get the items they need.
International Leader Award: Dr. Andrew Rollins
This is the first year for our International Leader Award. It honors a faculty or staff member who embodies what it means to be a global citizen at Case Western Reserve and serves as an inspiration for others. This person champions internationalization on campus through exemplary efforts to promote an inclusive culture of global citizenship by creating opportunities for students to broaden their world view, and encouraging cross-cultural understanding.
Dr. Rollins is faculty member who clearly exemplifies a global citizen. He consistently works to provide his students with opportunities to extend their experiences beyond the classroom - both locally and internationally. He makes special efforts to reach out to support student groups and encourage them to travel and experience other cultures. Dr. Rollins is one of the faculty members who began the interdisciplinary Global Health Design study abroad course at Case Western Reserve which takes students to Uganda during spring break to help design and implement sustainable solutions to specific health issues in the country. His nominator works with him in this interdisciplinary collaboration between Biomedical Engineering and Anthropology and says he sets an example for his students by engaging in deep, academically meaningful cross-cultural thinking. He maintains professional relationships with colleagues in other countries and encourages his students to develop and cultivate collaborations with students in other countries. His nominator says Dr. Rollins expends a great amount of time advocating for international, cross-cultural experiences for students, including efforts to increase availability and equity in opportunities, and he is a faculty leader in the promotion of international education at Case Western Reserve. We are very grateful for his exceptional efforts and the incredible example he sets for our students.
Elise Lindsay International Graduate Student Award: Vivek Saraswat
The Elise Lindsay International Graduate Student Award is given in remembrance of a former director of International Student Services, who loved Case Western Reserve’s international students. She recognized their talent, saw their courage, and believed they could and would change the world for the better. With this award, we honor a student who has exemplified the qualities of talent, perseverance, courage, and a desire to make the world a better place through inclusion, research, teaching, care for others, or betterment of the university community.
Vivek has worked to welcome students from his home country, helped undergraduate students learn through teaching and providing extra guidance, befriended and included teammates, and generally been kind, encouraging, and thoughtful in every aspect of his work and life at the university. He goes above and beyond in his teaching. One nominator wrote that he, “demonstrates care and passion for his work.” He is forward-thinking and always looking for new ideas to help others learn. Vivek's students describe him as the type of teacher who goes beyond simply showing the steps to explaining why each step is necessary and the principles behind each experiment. One wrote, “I am confident in my chemistry lab techniques thanks to [him].” As a member of the Cycling Club, when this student faced a setback to his athletic pursuits, he sought out guidance on how to heal and become an even stronger cyclist. His teammates write that he “…demonstrates the kind of attitude needed to be a successful, self-starting student-athlete.” And when a new member of the club was feeling awkward and left out, he befriended them and made them feel part of the team. Vivek also serves students new to Case Western Reserve through the graduate student organization Satrang. He has picked up students from the airport, helped them find apartments, and introduced them to life at Case Western Reserve. When new students face anxiety and discouragement being in a new place, this student extends the helping hand of friendship. “…it was [he] who gave me the comfort of home, helping me overcome my anxiety and encourage me to move forward,” wrote one nominator. A real gem who is intelligent and very down to earth.”
The Study Abroad Photo Contest features submissions from Case Western Reserve study abroad students' experiences around the world. These photos help the Center for International Affairs and its Office of Education Abroad show other students what studying abroad looks like to get them interested and excited about the opportunity to learn in another country.
Scenery: Divya Jasthi
“Salar de Atacama”
The photo features a flamingo at sunset in the salt flats of the Atacama Desert in Antofagasta, Chile. Divya is enrolled in a dual degree program and will be receiving both her master’s of public health and her undergraduate degree in Biology, specializing in pre-health with a Spanish minor, in May 2020. She studied abroad in Chile on a health studies program with our partner IES Abroad in the Summer of 2019.
Spartans Abroad: Kayele Silue
“Spartan in Sharjah!”
Kayele is featured in the photo standing by the main building of her host university, the American University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates early in Spring Semester 2020, and showcasing CWRU pride in her study abroad tee-shirt! Kayele is graduating in May 2020 with a Masters of Science in Management and a B.S. in Finance.
Cultural Experience: Yuhan Xia
“Kimono”
Yuhan says this photo shows her first time wearing a Kimono. She and her friends dressed up and went to a Japanese Shrine during her semester abroad at Waseda University in Tokyo, Japan in Spring 2019. Yuhan is majoring in economics and political science and earning a minor in Japanese.
Facebook's Most Likes: Joshua Hsia
“Sunrise at Lake Tekapo”
Joshua is majoring in psychology and took this photo in Spring Semester 2020 while studying abroad at the University of Otago in New Zealand.
The World is Your Classroom: Hannah Clarke
“How To: Eating Around the Bowl”
Hannah says to prepare for living with a host family in Senegal, she had to learn how to eat around the bowl, as Senegalese families do for lunch and dinner. The featured dish is ceebu jën, the Senegalese national dish. Eating around the bowl is an essential part of /teranga/, a term that encapsulates Senegalese hospitality practices.
Hannah is majoring in French with a specialization in pre-health and is also in the Masters of Public Health Integrated Graduate Studies program. She spent spring semester 2019 studying abroad in Dakar, Senegal on the Language and Culture program through our partner, CIEE.
Overall: Bhargavee Gnanasambandam
“What a View!”
The photo was taken on a bridge over the canals of Amsterdam during the Bioethics Women’s Health and Public Health Ethics in The Netherlands study abroad course in Spring (May Abroad) 2019. Bhargavee is studying biomedical engineering and pre-health and is also earning a Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering. She graduates in May 2020.
The Center for International Affairs' Global Citizen Awards recognize students, organizations and campus offices that enhance the international student experience, promote a sense of community at Case Western Reserve University and exemplify the university's values of inclusion and diversity.
Laurie D. Zelman International Undergraduate Student Award: Yuliang “Bill” Ding
The Laurie D. Zelman International Undergraduate Student award is presented to a student who helps to create an inclusive community, encourages understanding among people of different cultures, is involved in positive work on campus, and helps others achieve their potential.
Bill has taken the initiative to serve in numerous capacities throughout Case Western Reserve. He brought new and unique perspectives to the Minority Association of Premedical Students and the Global Health Design Collaborative; has cultivated others’ growth as a Student Activities and Leadership Ambassador; has welcomed new students as an Orientation Leader; and, in 2018, completed 100 hours of community service through the CCEL Scholars Program. His nominators wrote about his positivity, endless enthusiasm, kindness to others, encouraging nature, and empathetic spirit.
Unsung Champion Award: J. Sebastian Garcia Medina
The award for Unsung Champion is presented to a student who has been involved on campus but has not necessarily held formal leadership positions. It honors a person who rarely receives recognition for his or her work "behind the scenes" to enhance the international student experience and sense of community on campus.
J. Sebastian Garcia Medina created a platform, PrepGED, to help Spanish speakers succeed on their GED exams. He secured funding, found a collaborator, and built the platform from the ground up. He spent “countless hours” creating lesson plans, templates, and guides for recording tutorial videos. In his nominator’s words, “…instead of just getting through his two M.A. programs, research, and TA-ing, he has chosen to lead the start of a totally new and truly important resource for people also trying to advance their education and opportunities.”
Outstanding Student Organization: USG
The Outstanding Student Organization award goes to a university-recognized group that has gone above and beyond a focus on their own membership to create a positive campus environment.
Following the travel ban preventing citizens of 7 Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States, many international students felt vulnerable about presenting their passports revealing their country of citizenship, which for many, was their only form of government-issued identification in the U.S. Undergraduate Student Government rallied to assist any international student who wanted to obtain an Ohio Identification Card, which they could present, when appropriate, in lieu of a passport.
This initiative began in Spring 2017 and has been organized every semester since. This student organization arranges transportation to and from a BMV that issues state identification cards and supplements fees as needed, but above all, they have been helping to provide peace of mind through their support. They have served more than 20 international students to date - and in turn, helped our international students feel more welcome on our campus.
Spirit of Service Award: Geneva Magsino
Spirit of Service honors a student who has served the campus community with vigor, devotion, and an unshakable positive attitude.
Geneva Magsino served as the Undergraduate Diversity Collaborative President and used that platform to build relationships with other student leaders. It inspired her, along with collaborators, to apply for the Projects for Peace grant to improve menstrual hygiene and female health education in developing countries. As recipients of this grant, she and a colleague traveled to Sierra Leone last summer to work with the UN Foundation, Girl Up, to help implement their program - which couples education with mentorship.
The Outstanding Partner in Collaboration Award: The Alumni Association of Case Western Reserve University
The Outstanding Partner in Collaboration goes to a campus partner that has successfully worked with the Center for International Affairs to sponsor or host an event or program that has benefited the international student community and internationalization efforts.
The Alumni Association of Case Western Reserve University works with the Center for International Affairs to connect alumni living abroad with students and events on campus that celebrate their culture.
The Study Abroad-Alumni Connections program—a collaboration between the offices —experienced significant growth in 2018. The program matches students studying abroad with alumni living in their host countries and aims to broaden study abroad students’ worldviews, create deeper understanding between students and alumni, and offer alumni a concrete way to give back.
Together, the Center and The Alumni Association works to ensure international students on campus, students studying abroad, and alumni around the world know Case Western Reserve is their home, and we are all family.
Elise Lindsay International Graduate Student: Mohammad Islam
The Elise Lindsay International Graduate Student award honors a student who has exemplified talent, perseverance, courage, and a desire to make the world a better place through inclusion, research, teaching, care for others, or betterment of the university community.
As an Electrical Engineering student, Mohammad Islam has fostered collaboration between multiple labs and has opened doors for future collaborations. He is described as, “…an inspiration to fellow students,” and his “…superb research work provides inspiration to the undergraduates.” As one nominator put it, “I am proud when I tell others that I know [him]; his successes, passion, and fervor towards his goals in life helps motivate others around him to accomplish their respective ambitions.”
Outside of the lab, Mohammad also takes time to serve members of the Greater Cleveland community. He has worked with high school students doing summer research, mentored undergraduate and master’s students, and served as president of the Golden Key Honors Society. In addition, he is the founding president of the Bangladesh Student Association, which serves to welcome Bangladeshi students to Case Western Reserve and to help them adjust to life in Cleveland.
The Study Abroad Photo Contest features submissions from Case Western Reserve study abroad students' experiences around the world. These photos help the Center for International Affairs and its Office of Education Abroad show other students what studying abroad looks like to get them interested and excited about the opportunity to learn in another country.
Landscapes, Buildings and Bridges: Michael Nguyen
This photo is of the Temple of Karnak in Luxor, Egypt, where Michael says the columns provided the only respite from the unforgiving sun. He visited Egypt on a semester break while studying abroad at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland.
The World is Your Classroom: Cindy Wu
After working all year to design prototypes of biomedical devices to improve vaccine outreach in Uganda, in this photo, Cindy is demonstrating the vaccine carrier idea to health workers in the Luwero District with the help of her classmates from Case Western Reserve & students from Makerere University. She was part of the interdisciplinary Global Health Design study abroad program.
Cultural Selfie: Gabrielle Watson
This is a photo of Gabrielle (who is on the right) and a tailor in the Luwero District of Uganda, who altered Gabrielle’s dress in less than five minutes! Gabrielle was also in Uganda as part of the Global Health Design program.
Most Likes on Facebook: Sophia Poppenberg
This photo was taken at sunrise during a safari at the Sanbona Wildlife Reserve in Cape Town, South Africa. It received approximately 200 likes on Facebook! Sophia was studying abroad during May Term 2018 with an engineering program.
General Category and Overall Winner: Nandita Kannapadi
This was taken while Nandita was camping in the Wadi Rum desert of Jordan before she and her friend rode camels and watched the sunset. Nandita was studying abroad with the Department of Modern Languages in Literature during Spring Break.