EAST LANSING, Mich. A public affairs consultant, who works closely with MSUs Visiting International Professional Programs, was the inaugural winner of the Charles A. Gliozzo International Award for Public Diplomacy at the 19th annual International Studies and Programs Awards ceremony held on April 1. Colleen Pero joined 13 honorees which included community members, an MSU alum, students and faculty and staff members. We are proud to recognize the achievements of the greater MSU team who have helped to make MSU a university of distinction and whose involvements have enriched the campus, the state of Michigan and the world, said Jeffrey Riedinger, dean of International Studies and Programs at MSU. Individual award recipients: Yong Zhao, Ph.D., a University Distinguished Professor in MSUs College of Education, received the Ralph H. Smuckler Award for Advancing International Studies and Programs. Zhao has become known around the world for his vision, leadership and achievements in classroom technology, language acquisition and globalization in education. He is the innovator behind many of MSUs important China initiatives and is the director of MSUs Confucius Institute.

David Wiley, Ph.D., a sociologist and former director of the African Studies Center in International Studies and Programs, received a special recognition award noting his 30 plus years of service to not only MSU but to the United States. Wiley has an extensive career of leadership in African studies and is acknowledged by his peers and in Washington D.C. for support institutions interested in building programs for the study of Africa. He has been instrumental in crafting guidelines for open and transparent collaborations with African partners, which has distinguished MSU among its peers.

Salah Hassan, Ph.D., an associate professor of English, received the John K. Hudzik Emerging Leader award. As a true international teacher and scholar, Hassan has contributed to major journals dealing with international cultural and political issues and is published in the most important journals of literary studies. He is a leader in Middle Eastern studies and is a star in post-colonialism in the English department at MSU.

Kin Keung Lai, Ph.D., an alum of the civil engineering department at MSU, received the Joon S. Moon Distinguished International Alumni award. In addition to a very accomplished academic career with the City University of Hong Kong, Lai is a successful organizers of a charitable foundation serving the poor and disadvantaged children in China. He was instrumental in raising more than $4 million following the 2008 earthquake and continues to raise funds for the reconstruction of schools in China.

College Pero, a lawyer and community activists in Michigan, was awarded the first Charles A. Gliozzo International Award for Public Diplomacy. Maintaining involvement in local committees and organizations while serving in local government, Pero has devoted countless hours to international projects like Michigan Council on Citizen Diplomacy (MCCD) by working closely with the Visiting International Professional Program and co-directing the Michigan Political Leadership Program at MSU.

Judy Huynh, a teacher with the Ionia Intermediate School district, received the Glen L. Taggart Award for Community Contribution to International Understanding. Huynhs goal for her students has been to increase understanding, appreciation and respect for citizens of other countries and cultures. She has done this through hosting international guests in her classroom, organizing field trips, and developing a successful service-learning project in her community. A member of Linking All Types of Teachers to International, Cross-Cultural Education (LATTICE), she has been awarded competitive grants for travel and service overseas.

John Metzler, Ph.D., outreach coordinator for the African Studies Center and adjunct faculty member in the department of teacher education at MSU, received the Award for Outstanding Service to Study Abroad. Metzlers work has led MSU to several distinctions, including the largest number of study abroad programs in African and the prestigious Goldman Sachs Foundation Prize for Excellence in International Education.

Awards for International Service Activities at MSU The Homer Higbee International Education Awards are presented annually to students and a member of Community Volunteers for International Programs.

This years recipients include: o Assem Abzakirova, a public administration and public policy major from Kazakhstan o Mamud Dako, a graduate student in the department of packaging from Nigeria o Kang Li, a doctoral student in Education Administration from China o Bradley McDonald, a international relations major from Haslett, Michigan o ChenChen Wang, a psychology major from China o Erika Nwankwo-Larson, a retired high school teacher from East Lansing, Michigan