Cassandra Pyle Award for Leadership and Collaboration in International Education and Exchange

Cassandra Pyle was a leader in the field of international education and exchange for more than 25 years, serving in positions at the Council for International Exchange of Scholars, the American Council on Education, the Institute of International Education, and the University of Chicago. She served as president of NAFSA from 1978-79. Pyle also served on U.S. and international boards including the U.S. National Commission on UNESCO and the Council on Foreign Relations. She was well known worldwide as a champion of international relations and a leader in fostering better international understanding through collaboration.

The Cassandra Pyle Award for Leadership and Collaboration in International Educational Exchange honors the contributions of a senior international educator to global international exchange. This award expands the recognition of international exchange beyond NAFSA and the profession in the United States to include exchange work around the world.

Criteria Used by the Awards Subcommittee to Select Nominees

To be considered for the Cassandra Pyle Award, a nominee must have at least 15 years experience, an appreciable portion of it in policymaking positions in organizations or institutions with a significant role in international educational exchange. The award is open to international educators worldwide. Nominees need not be NAFSA members.

Nominees must have made documented contributions in at least three of the following areas:

• Fostering collaborative relationships among individuals and organizations within or outside the United States, leading to greater opportunities for educational exchange participants or practitioners
• Conceptualizing, initiating, and managing international education programs of a significant scale
• Helping practitioners with diverse ideas and approaches to reach agreement on new or improved international education programs
• Exemplifying for fellow practitioners the values of patience, tolerance, optimism, and goodwill
• Mentoring younger professionals, helping them advance in their careers in international education

Nomination Procedures

Nominations should be made by a member of NAFSA or any other association of international education practitioners and must present clear evidence of the nominee's achievements in at least three of the five areas mentioned above. Nominations must be supported by a minimum of three additional people, each representing a different institution or organization, and each representing a different perspective on the individual's accomplishments. At least one of nominators must be a NAFSA member. Current members of the NAFSA Board of Directors, Membership Committee, Awards Subcommittee, and self nominations are not eligible for consideration. The nomination process is confidential.

The Board of Directors recommends that the Awards Subcommittee put forth no more than one name each year for the Cassandra Pyle Award.