Illinois International News

Illinois International News is a collection of globally-focused blogs and stories from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Prof. Joyce Yen Feng, the recipient of the 2026 Madhuri and Jagdish N. Sheth International Alumni Award for Exceptional Achievement, explained that sometimes the smallest actions, like talking to someone or making friends, can create the biggest change. 

She said this following her presentation at the April 28 Sheth Distinguished Lecture, during which she described a lifetime dedicated to promoting positive, societal change in Taiwan.  

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Prof. Joyce Yen Feng, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign alumna and professor emerita in the Department of Social Work at National Taiwan University (NTU), is the recipient of the 2026 Madhuri and Jagdish N. Sheth International Alumni Award for Exceptional Achievement.  

She will deliver this year’s Sheth Distinguished Alumni Lecture in celebration of her recognition from noon to 1 p.m. on April 28 in Room 103 at the Illini Union. 

The Beyond Borders: Global Collaborations for Mental Health Research and Services conference connected more than 200 students, scholars, and practitioners, both in person and online, over two days of open dialogue regarding mental health.  

This first-of-its-kind event, which took place Oct. 9-10, was one of 11 projects funded by the Vision 2030 Global Strategy Implementation Grant, which provides funding to support activities and/or programs across campus that seek to specifically address one or more actions under the priorities outlined in strategy. The grant is funded by the Office of the Provost and administratively supported by Illinois International.