Skip to Main content

ASU Center Wins National Study Abroad Award

January 26, 2010

Angelo State University’s Center for International Studies (CIS) has been named co-winner of a 2010 Andrew Heiskell Award for Innovation in International Education by the Institute of International Education (IIE).

The IIE distributes the Heiskell Awards each year to promote and honor the most outstanding initiatives that are being conducted in international higher education by IIENetwork member universities and colleges. The Angelo State CIS has been honored in the Study Abroad category for providing innovative programs and services which make study abroad more accessible to a broader student population. Dr. Sharynn Tomlin, CIS director, will accept the award at the annual IIE Best Practices Conference on March 19 in New York City.

For winning a Heiskell Award, ASU’s program has been designated a “Best Practice” for study abroad and will be profiled on the IIENetwork Web site, www.iienetwork.org/?p=BestPractices, and in the IIENetworker magazine. ASU also joins an impressive list of past winners that includes Rice University, University of Pittsburgh, Tufts University and the Higher Education Consortium for Urban Affairs.

“ASU is being recognized as a leader in international education with the Heiskell Award,” Tomlin said. “We are thankful to the Institute of International Education, but also to our ASU community, which has supported our efforts and values international education as an important part of every student’s education.”

Over the past year, the CIS has significantly increased the number of study abroad opportunities for ASU students. As a result, the number of students enrolled in the programs has tripled. Recent additions to the CIS include a wider selection of summer and long-term programs, the new ASU Passport Office, a new online application process and more aggressive promotion of available programs.

Other new initiatives are also increasing the number of ASU faculty involved in leading study abroad programs, which has helped lead to more options for students. Faculty programs include mentoring, Rosetta Stone language training, points toward Professional Achievement Awards and other support services.

Additionally, CIS recruiting efforts have resulted in a record number of international students attending ASU this spring. Including the intensive English language program, ASU now has 103 international students enrolled on campus.

The CIS’ efforts have also been highlighted in the Chronicle for Higher Education and the upcoming International Educator magazine.

The Institute of International Education is a world leader in the international exchange of people and ideas. An independent, nonprofit organization founded in 1919, IIE has a network of over 20 offices worldwide and over 1,000 member institutions. IIE designs and implements programs of study and training for students, educators, young professionals and trainees from all sectors – with funding from government agencies, foundations and corporations. IIE also conducts policy research and program evaluations, and provides advising and counseling on international education and opportunities abroad.