Athens, Ga. – Sylvia Schell, an assistant director in the University of Georgia Office of International Education, has been awarded the inaugural 2013 Excellence in Diversifying International Education Award by the Diversity Abroad Network, a national organization promoting diversity in international education.
The award recognizes individuals who have developed practices that increase access and foster diversity and inclusion in international education.
Schell’s nomination highlighted her commitment in developing initiatives that support diverse student populations and creating inclusive practices on the UGA campus, in particular for international students and scholars.
Schell has developed programming intended to encourage dialogue between the domestic and international communities on campus, and has developed an “International Scholars Hosting Manual” to educate sponsoring departmental staff about the resources available to the international visitors.
“I am genuinely grateful and humbled to be selected as the inaugural recipient of the Diversity Abroad’s Excellence in Diversifying International Education Award,” said Schell. “This recognition is a strong validation of our work in creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for international students and scholars at the University of Georgia.”
“Schell’s motivation comes from a genuine empathy for the visiting internationals and a desire for their experience at the University of Georgia and in the United States to be the best that it can be,” said Kavita Pandit, associate provost for international education.
The Diversity Abroad Network is a professional consortium of higher education institutions, government agencies and for-profit and non-profit organizations dedicated to advancing diversity and equity in international education.
About the Office of International Education
The Office of International Education supports the University of Georgia’s academic, research and outreach missions and strategic directions through the promotion of global learning experiences for our students, the sponsorship and support of international students, scholars, faculty and staff, and the development of international research and instructional partnerships and collaborations. For more information, see http://international.uga.edu/.