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K-State Today

November 17, 2020

Housing and Dining Services to receive Outstanding Support for International Initiatives Award

Submitted by Barbara Lippman

The Office of International Programs will present Housing and Dining Services with the 2020 Outstanding Support for International Initiatives Award as part of International Education Week, Nov. 5-19

Derek Jackson, associate vice president of student life and director of Housing and Dining Services, will accept the award on behalf of the unit at the 2020 International Education Awards Ceremony from 4-5 p.m. Thursday, Nov.19, conducted virtually. 

Selected by the Office of International Programs' leadership team, this recognition is presented annually during the International Education Week celebration to recognize a K-State department, unit or organization that has gone above and beyond to support international initiatives and/or serve a global student body in extraordinary ways.

"Housing and Dining Services provided housing and dining options for all of the spring 2020 returning education abroad students who needed a place to quarantine or isolate after cutting their education abroad experiences short and returning to the U.S.," said Grant Chapman, associate provost for international programs. "Furthermore, Housing and Dining Services worked hard to provide returning and new international students a place to stay to quarantine or isolate in the beginning of the fall 2020 semester. Housing and Dining Services did all of this while being short-staffed."

International Programs added the Outstanding Support for International Initiatives Award in 2013 to honor additional globally engaged areas in the K-State community.

"The COVID-19 pandemic pushed K-State units to plan and execute tasks in a very short period of time," said Marcellus Caldas, professor and Office of International Programs assistant provost of international faculty collaboration and educational programs. "Besides accommodating students, Housing and Dining Services took care of the needs of the international students as well in trying their best to provide groceries and meals for students that were quarantined and isolated. Housing and Dining Services really went above and beyond for our students and scholars needing a place to stay." 

During this event, Provost and Executive Vice President Charles Taber, Chapman and Caldas will recognize the awardees: International Educator of the Year, International Innovative Education Program of the Year and the Outstanding Support for International Initiatives.

Join us in celebrating the awardees at 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19.

Please register for the awards ceremony webinar. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the awards ceremony webinar.