Through its Senator Paul Simon Award for Comprehensive Internationalization, NAFSA: Association of International Educators recognizes institutions for overall excellence in internationalization efforts as evidenced in practices, structures, philosophies, and policies. NAFSA's Senator Paul Simon Spotlight Award is presented to institutions with specific innovative international programs or initiatives.
Profiles of Success
Each year institutions that win Simon Awards are profiled in NAFSA’s Internationalizing the Campus: Profiles of Success at Colleges and Universities, a report on international education in the United States. In the months following the selection of winners, NAFSA sends a journalist to the selected institutions to gather information for the report, learning firsthand about exemplary practices, model approaches, and major trends in internationalization on each campus.
2022
Spotlight Award
- Marist College for its Freshman Year Abroad programs
- Northeastern University for its Global Cooperative Education Program
- Northwestern University for its Global Engagement Studies Institute (GESI)
2021
Spotlight Award
- Indiana University for its Global Gateway for Teachers program
- Miami Dade College for its Educate Tomorrow Abroad program
- University of North Carolina Wilmington for its First-Year Spring Admit (FYSA) in the UK program
Watch the Acceptance Videos from 2021 Recipients
2020
Spotlight Award
- Agnes Scott College for its SUMMIT Global Journeys program
- DePaul University for its Global Learning Experience program
- University of Maryland-College Park for its Year of Immigration initiative
Watch the Acceptance Videos from 2020 Recipients
2019
Spotlight Award
- SUNY Buffalo State for its SUNY Buffalo State International Professional Development Schools (IPDS) Consortium
- University of Evansville for its UE Builds: Local and Global
- Virginia Tech for its Rising Sophomore Abroad Program
2018
Spotlight Award
- Baldwin Wallace University for its BW in Zambia program
- Harper College for its Global Region of Focus Initiative
- University of Georgia for its UGA-Minas Gerais Joint Research Partnership
2017
Spotlight Award
- Spelman College for the Spelman Going Global Initiative
- Texas Christian University for the TCU Rhino Initiative
- University of North Texas for the Heart of Mexico Program
The Bureau of Educational & Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State generously provided support for the initial four reports (2003-2006).
The 2003 and 2004 reports also received support from Educational Testing Service (ETS).