Lily von Klemperer posing with a copy of "The New Guide to Study Abroad," which she co-authored.
At NAFSA's 1988 annual conference, Lilian von Klemperer herself was the very first recipient of the Lily von Klemperer Award. Lily was founder of the education abroad profession during the mid-twentieth century and for years continued to be a true mainstay for the growing numbers of professionals in that new field. The inspiration, guidance, and training that she provided to all in education abroad is impossible to overestimate.
It was understood in 1988 that the award would eventually be presented by the Education Abroad Knowledge Community (EAKC) in Lily's name at NAFSA annual conferences to worthy education abroad professionals who are seen still to have years to devote to the profession. The "LvK" Award seeks to recognize people who, like Lily, have "brought other [education abroad professionals] along" in the field and who maintain the highest standards of professional ethics while sharing their skills, knowledge, and expertise with all colleagues.
Nominations for the 2025 EAKC awards will open in the fall.
Katherine Mary, "Kate", has been in international education for over a decade in various forms: study abroad student from a low-socioeconomic/rural/first-gen background, EFL teacher, financial aid admin, and within study abroad offices. Their experience and years of service have led to concentrated...
Todd Lee Goen is Director of Global Education and Senior International Officer at Virginia Military Institute (VMI) where his responsibilities include oversight of education abroad, international student and scholars support services, international grant/program management, and strategic planning...
Chelsea Kindred, MFA, is senior director of co-curricular learning, engagement, and assessment at Academic Programs International (API) where she develops and manages curriculum design and digital learning environments, including the API Learning and Engagement digital badge program, to engage...
The recipient of this Award will be announced by the Education Abroad Knowledge Community leadership in conjunction with the NAFSA Annual Conference and Expo
Commemorative Plaque is given to award recipient
An opportunity to write a blog post for NAFSA
Invitation to review EA conference proposals for the following year’s Annual Conference
Any member of NAFSA who has been professionally active in the field of education abroad between five and 15 years is eligible to be nominated. People serving in elected positions on the education abroad team, however, are ineligible for nomination throughout their actual terms of office, and former SECUSSA and education abroad chairs remain permanently ineligible.
The primary nominator must be a *current* member of NAFSA. The nominee is not required to be a current NAFSA member.
The nominee should have between 5 and 15 years of experience in the field of education abroad.
The nomination should provide strong evidence that nominee has volunteered their time to the field by developing resources, presenting at conferences, and/or serving in NAFSA or other volunteer leadership roles.
The nomination should describe how nominee has gone above and beyond the normal duties of their position to provide mentorship to multiple young professionals and has helped “bring other professionals along” in the spirit of Lily von Klemperer.
The nomination should be supported by two additional letters of support, each from a NAFSA member, that highlight the nominee’s contributions to the field and/or describe the nominee’s mentorship of others.
Disclaimer: Current members of the NAFSA Board of Directors, NAFSA staff, and the KC award selection group are not eligible for consideration. EA KC chairs remain permanently ineligible for the LvK Award.
Nominations are reviewed by the Education Abroad Awards Task Force and its recommendation is sent to the chair of the Education Abroad Knowledge Community for approval.
