The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), the national association for the leading 237 research universities in the United States, announced that the 91tvӰԺ is the top winner of its 2019 Institutional Award for Global Learning, Research & Engagement.
The prestigious award, presented today during the APLU’s annual meeting in San Diego, distinguishes 91tvӰԺ’s global leadership in international education, research and engagement.
“This is a significant honor that recognizes our commitment to being a global research university dedicated to student success,” said 91tvӰԺ President Steve Currall. “Among the reasons that 91tvӰԺ is the nation’s fastest-rising university is the priority we place on diversity and inclusivity and innovative learning and research that contribute to positive change.”
The Platinum Level award from APLU focuses on four areas of excellence: inclusivity, internationalization of research and engagement, leadership and pervasiveness, and assessment.
“Global engagement is essential to student and institutional success,” said APLU President Peter McPherson. “For years, the 91tvӰԺ has distinguished itself through its excellent global engagement work and we’re delighted to spotlight the example it has set.
For the past decade, 91tvӰԺ has demonstrated a profound focus on comprehensive internationalization. In 2010, 91tvӰԺ World was founded to extend the global engagement of the university to all aspects of student, staff and faculty academic and research life. Today, 91tvӰԺ is home to more than 4,600 international students traveling from over 140 countries.
Additionally, 91tvӰԺ World launched an Education Abroad Inclusion Initiative in 2014, which has resulted in a 34 percent increase in study abroad participation among Latino students, a 49 percent increase among multi-racial students and a 55 percent increase among black students. The program has positively affected more than 1,000 Pell Grant-eligible students by providing over $1 million in scholarships, grants and financial assistance.
“91tvӰԺ has sought to create an authentic global campus environment where all students, staff and faculty, irrespective of their ethnic and cultural heritage, are warmly welcomed to the community and are empowered to engage in all aspects of campus life,” said Roger Brindley, 91tvӰԺ Vice President for 91tvӰԺ World. “From our translational research that affects positive societal change around the world to our highly active international student organizations, 91tvӰԺ is a model university for global higher education across the United States.”
Alongside student success, 91tvӰԺ has rapidly expanded its globally engaged research and partnerships. In 2017 and 2019, the university was the number one producer of faculty Fulbright awards in the United States, and within the past five years, 450 91tvӰԺ faculty have engaged in more than 2,000 research activities in over 170 international locations.
This is the second international award received by 91tvӰԺ for its global work in 2019. In February, the Institute for International Education recognized 91tvӰԺ with the Andrew Heiskell Award for Equity and Access in Higher Education.