The University of Florida last week won a 2024 International Impact Award for Global Teaching & Learning from the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU).
The award recognizes innovative, impactful efforts to increase global learning on campus and with partners. UF was officially named the winner during a ceremony held at the APLU Annual Meeting in Orlando on Nov. 12.
“My congratulations to the Office of Global Learning and the UF International Center for receiving this wonderful recognition,” interim UF President Kent Fuchs said. “I’m pleased that the University of Florida does such an excellent job preparing our students for success in an increasingly complex world, and especially for making international learning opportunities available to those who might otherwise miss out.”
UF has advanced a multipronged strategy to significantly expand access to global learning experiences for students in any major and from any socioeconomic background. UF’s International Scholars Program provides study abroad alternatives that do not require cross-border travel, expanding the group of students to whom global learning opportunities are available – with a particular focus on first-generation and low-income students.
“The UF International Center proudly recognizes the invaluable work of the Office of Global Learning staff, led by Paloma Rodriguez,” said International Center Dean Marta L. Wayne. “Their dedication to curriculum internationalization and virtual exchange is essential in providing UF students with meaningful global learning experiences. We are deeply grateful for their efforts and honored by this prestigious award.”
The university’s Virtual Exchange initiative – which has reached more than 5,000 students since 2018 – provides courses in collaboration with international partners. UF also supports paid faculty development programs to help instructors globalize their curriculum and advance best practices in intercultural learning.
For the award, the APLU measured excellence in three categories: Widespread Global Engagement (how the institution empowers all stakeholders in its global efforts); Institutional Commitment (how the institution’s leadership – at the president/chancellor or provost level – is committed to global efforts, and how leaders make this a priority for the institution); and Assessment (how the institution measures participation and impact).
“We’re delighted to recognize public research universities that are major drivers of progress through their global efforts, both on campus and abroad,” APLU President Mark Becker said.
For information on APLU International Impact Award for Global Teaching & Learning, visit here.
To learn about UF’s International Scholars Program, visit here.