Yesterday concluded the 2010 NAFSA Annual Conference & Expo, wrapping up a great week of learning and networking that both equipped and empowered leaders in international education.

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="240" caption="Nathaniel Kwabo"]Nathaniel Kwabo at the International Plenary Luncheon[/caption]

One highlight for attendees was the International Plenary and Luncheon, with speaker Nathaniel Kwabo, former executive secretary of Liberia's Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). Kwabo is a respected voice for peaceful conflict resolution and the defense of human rights in his native country, Liberia. Under his leadership, TRC provided a forum for victims and perpetrators of atrocities committed over nearly 25 years of civil strife to voice their experiences and contribute to national peacebuilding efforts.

The 2010 Senator Paul Simon Award for Comprehensive Internationalization was presented today to five institutions: Carnegie Mellon University in Pennsylvania, Hobart & William Smith Colleges in New York, Loyola University in Maryland, Northeastern University in Massachusetts, and the University of San Francisco in California. Three additional schools—the Borough of Manhattan Community College in New York, La Roche College in Pennsylvania, and the College of the Atlantic in Maine—were also recognized with the 2010 Senator Paul Simon Spotlight Award for a specific international program or initiative on campus.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="Simon Award Winners"]Simon Award Winners[/caption]

At the closing reception, attendees focused on celebrating the success of this year's annual conference in Kansas City, MO, and looking forward to NAFSA's 2011 Annual Conference & Expo in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="Closing Reception"]Closing Reception[/caption]

What was the highlight of the Kansas City conference for you? We value you what you think, so please share your thoughts so that we can make next year's NAFSA commons and conference even better. Take the NAFSA Commons survey.

See you in Vancouver in 2011!