Global Partners Zone
Georgia Southern University is a multicultural university that currently hosts approximately 500 international students on student visas whose priority in the U.S. is academic study. As educators, we must do the best we can to help them succeed. In order to support international students, we must make sure that our staff and faculty are deliberately trained to improve their multicultural competency, specifically addressing international student difficulties such as adjustment and support services. Beyond simply accepting them into the classroom and expecting them to perform the same as Americans, faculty should understand the different academic backgrounds of and additional challenges for international students.
Beyond simply advertising resources and support services, staff and faculty members should understand that international students may be unfamiliar with these services since some are distinctively American concepts. International Programs & Services created and facilitates The Global Partners Zone program (GPZ) that provides the participants, or “global partners,” information about cultural differences, unique needs of, and resources for international students.
We offer several GPZ trainings every year. Please check the website for upcoming dates.
Please contact Sara Nobles (snobles@georgiasouthern.edu) for GPZ training sessions or if you have any questions.
International Awards
The Global Partners Zone committee accepts nominations for individuals who embody the spirit of the award for which they are nominated. Any faculty, staff, or student can submit a nomination (including self-nominations). You may nominate an individual for more than one award; simply fill out the form again for the other award category. Please read the criteria carefully. The nominees will be recognized at a ceremony during the close of International Education Week. Recognizing the accomplishments of these individuals will offer positive reinforcement toward continued success and collaboration.
Award Recipients
International Student Leadership Award
Recipient 2019: Foram Patel
Recipient 2018: Darnel Howlett
Recipient 2017: Nipuna Ambanpola
Global Community Building Award
Recipient 2019: BreAisha Walker
Recipient 2018: Yearim Yang
Recipient 2017: Kaushal Patel
International Student Overcoming Obstacles Award
Recipient 2019: Abdulhamid Aldubaykhi
Recipient 2018: Nhien Lê
Recipient 2017: Karuna Mary Bollam
International Student Academic Distinction Award
Recipient 2019: Jennifer Udeogu
Recipient 2018: Darnel Howlett
Recipient 2017: Iva Šćepanović
International Student Advocate Award
Recipient 2019: Sara C. Nobles
Recipient 2018: Dr. Dorothée Mertz-Weigel
Recipient 2017: Kristin R. Kasting Karam
Last updated: 2/6/2020