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 2027 KC ISSS Award of Excellence will be announced in the fall. All KC ISSS members are invited to submit nominations for the award.

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.

Recent Recipients

Christina M. Luther

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...
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David C. Elwell

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...
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Charter Morris, MA

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...
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All Past Recipients
Criteria for Selecting Nominees
Selection Information