KC ISSS AwardThe Knowledge Community for International Student and Scholar Services (KC ISSS) is charged with providing professional development opportunities and resources for those in the field of international student and scholar services. This KC ISSS award honors a NAFSA member who has demonstrated outstanding qualities as a leader in the field of international student and scholar services. Nominees should possess qualities of compassion, integrity, and leadership. They must be NAFSA members and been a professional in the field of international student and scholar services for at least 10 years. Nominees should have earned respect and admiration from students, colleagues and peers.

The nomination period for the 2026 KC ISSS Award of Excellence will be announced in the fall. All KC ISSS members are invited to submit nominations for the award.

2025 KC ISSS Award of Excellence

Congratulations to the recipient of the 2025 KC ISSS Award of Excellence, Christina M. Luther!

Selection Criteria

The nominee must have:

  • demonstrated a willingness to assist colleagues in the ISSS field;
  • advocated for the cause of international student and scholar services within his/her own institution, as well as with the greater community;
  • personified a constructive leadership style;
  • made exemplary contributions to the field which may include resource development, teaching and training, advocacy and mentoring;
  • empowered the field of international student and scholar services and the association to strive for a world where international education is a worthy pursuit and valuable experience;
  • NAFSA membership

Nomination Procedure

Each nominee must have the following:

  • One primary nomination form
  • Two additional references (their names, organizations/institutions, daytime phone numbers, and e-mail addresses)
  • A copy of the nominee's professional CV/resume

The recipient of this award will be announced by KC ISSS leadership in conjunction with the NAFSA Annual Conference and Expo.

Questions? Please contact NAFSA's International Student/Scholar Services team.

Christina M. Luther

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Christina Luther
Portland State University
Christina M. Luther is the Director of International Student and Scholar Services at Portland State University, where she oversees the advising of the F, J, and H populations. She has been leading NAFSA workshops at the local and regional level for most of the 30 years she has been advising...

David C. Elwell

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David Elwell Headshot
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
David has worked in the field of international education and exchange since 1992. In August 2015, David was appointed Associate Dean and Director of the International Students Office at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, Massachusetts. His primary responsibilities include...

Charter Morris, MA

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Charter Morris v4
The University of Alabama
MDP Trainer
Charter Morris is currently Director of International Student & Scholar Services at The University of Alabama, where he has served since 2012. Charter is the PDSO and RO and his main areas of focus are J-1 scholar advising and F-1/J-1 student advising. Charter is currently an MDP Trainer and a...
All Past Recipients
Criteria for Selecting Nominees
Selection Information