Four recipients recognized for promoting global learning at Elon with the second annual awarding of the Dean's Excellence Awards.
With the closing of the 2023-24 academic year, the Isabella Cannon Global Education Center (GEC) has announced this year’s Dean’s Awards for Exemplary Global Engagement. At a reception held at the Inn at Elon, Nick Gozik, dean of global education, explained that the awards, “acknowledge those who have contributed to global education on campus and beyond.”
“Elon has long been a place where individuals have made a difference, by going above and beyond,” said Gozik. “The GEC and Elon could not continue to do such important work without the passion and care offered by faculty, staff and students as exhibited by this year’s award winners.”
Recipients of the 2024 awards include:
Elizabeth (Libby) McKivigan ‘24 was recognized as the recipient of the Dean’s Award for Excellence in the category of “Study Away Student”. As an international business dual degree (IBDD) student, who completed her last two years at NEOMA Business School in Reims, France, she was recognized for her many contributions to the IBDD program.
“In my years of having peer-educators, no one has fostered community across cultures more effectively than Libby,” said Mark Kurt, assistant dean of global education and professor of economics.
While in France, McKivigan assumed a leadership position among dual degree students, while also working to develop her language fluency in French. She immersed herself in local culture through clubs and organizations at her host institution as well.
“Studying abroad with the dual degree program has completely changed my life,” said McKivigan. “I am from a very small town in Pennsylvania and always wanted to see the world and engage with new people, cultures and languages and the dual degree program has given me that amazing opportunity.”
Hao (Howard) Chi ‘22 G‘24 was awarded the Dean’s Award for Excellence in the category of “International Student”. Chi’s award acknowledged his many contributions to Elon as an undergraduate student in psychology and international & global studies, where he completed a capstone project entitled, “A Framework for Study Abroad Experience: The Transition to Adulthood”. During his time as an undergraduate student, Chi served as an International Student Ambassador. This award also recognized his time as a student in the master of arts in higher education program, where he completed a graduate apprenticeship with Undergraduate Admissions and internships at both Duke University and Elon University, including within the GEC.
Chi’s recommender explained that: “Howard represents the very best that international students have to offer to Elon. He is passionate about international education and high-impact practices and has contributed to both of those areas throughout his time as a student at Elon.”
Kathy Ziga, director of academic advising, was awarded the Dean’s Award for Staff Excellence for her dedication to integrating global perspective and understanding the work of the Academic Advising team. It was noted that Ziga and her team have collaborated consistently and creatively with the GEC to provide student information sessions, cross-train staff in both offices, share professional development opportunities around inclusive advising practices and support international exchange partners.
“Kathy has revolutionized how the international community (degree seeking, exchange, etc.) is served academically at Elon,” said Kristen Aquilino, director of international student services. “Knowledge of serving the international community is integrated throughout her team’s work and values. Kathy’s leadership has committed her unit to fully owning the inclusive efforts and unique support required to serve this awesome community.”
Martin Kamela, associate professor of physics and chair of the department of physics, was awarded the Dean’s Award for Faculty Excellence. Born in Poland and raised in Canada, Kamela has taught at the university level in both Canada and the United States. Kamela was recognized for his work in developing three short-term, faculty-led programs in Brazil and India, serving as a faculty in residence for the Elon in London semester program; serving on numerous committees including the Isabella Cannon Global Education Center Advisory Committee (GECAC), and his involvement in the Asian Studies and Periclean Studies programs.
“Many of us across the GEC are fully aware of how immense Martin’s impact has been across international education at Elon when it comes to the GECAC, faculty, staff and student involvement in global engagement, support of the international faculty/staff and student community and more,” said Aquilino.