CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The IGlobal Program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign received the 2025 NAFSA: Association of International Educators Senator Paul Simon Spotlight Award for Campus Internationalization.
This is the first time the university received this honor, and Illinois is also one of three universities
Allison Witt, director of International Programs in the College of Education at Illinois, founded and currently leads the program, which is housed in the College's Office of International Programs.
She said they are very proud of this award and of the undergraduate and graduate students who bring their creativity, dedication, enthusiasm, and teaching skills directly to the world through IGlobal.
“At Illinois, we are fortunate to have such valuable global learning opportunities for local schools and schools around the world, aimed at creating a globally competent society—a vision that our Senator Simon also shared,” Witt said. “Thank you to our interdisciplinary colleagues across campus and abroad who support the program with their passion and expertise.”
IGlobal provides online global fieldwork for the College of Education’s preservice teachers and professional development for in-service teachers around the world.
It also facilitates connection between the Illinois campus and home cultures for Illinois international students and it creates opportunities for local and international middle school students to collaborate on real world challenges across languages and cultures.
The Spotlight Award recognizes the program’s outstanding contributions to global education and its transformative impact.
Wei Liu, the senior associate director of International Programs in the College of Education, said in a statement that this achievement would not have been possible without the collective efforts and support of her colleagues.
“Thank you for helping us reach this remarkable milestone,” she wrote. “This is truly a proud moment for our community.”
The full story about the award and more information about the program can be found on the College of Education website.