Center for International Studies Awards
2026 Awards
The Center for International Studies celebrates faculty, staff and students with annual awards for excellence and achievement.
Outstanding Student Awards
This award recognizes a student in each program who has contributed holistically to not just their academic program, but to also the CIS and the university community. These students maintain a high GPA, participate in various on-campus activities, and serve as role models for their fellow students. This year’s awards went to:
- Undergraduate Programs – Gage McGraw
- African Studies – Stephen Gyesi
- Asian Studies – Ngoc Bich Nguyen
- Communication and Development Studies – Emmanuel Mensah
- International Development Studies – Joy Makua
- Latin American Studies – Cindy Torres
- War & Peace – Saa Michel Tolno
Academic Excellence Awards
This award is for students who maintain high academic standards and have a cumulative GPA of 3.8 and above.
Graduate Students
African Studies
- Abiola Afolayan
- Kevin Aggrey
- Jedidah Amon-Baah
- Haddy Ceesay
- Pateh Dem
- Salimata Diallo
- Stephen Gyesi
- Emmanuel Kimeu
- Mam Cherno Sarr
- Saa Michel Tolno
- Haruna Zakaria
- Neo Upe
Asian Studies
- Sora Iimura
- Hinori Mukai
- Kazuma Nagaya
- Ngoc Bich Nguyen
- Mai Pham
Communication and Development Studies
- Priscilla Adzimah
- Md Ariq
- Mohammed Awal
- Sital Chaulagain
- Abigail Clement
- Ryann Davis
- Adetola Fajembola
- Jamila Iqbal
- Gallow Jawneh
- Temir Kalbaev
- Joshua Kampim
- Parvin Kazemi Manesh
- Emmanuella Kwamee
- Benedict Kwarteng
- Christiana Lansana
- Kaung Latt
- Kudzaishe Masendeke
- Emmanuel Mensah
- Peter Muema
- Molly Nagin
- Sarah Namubiru
- Mary Otaah
- Abdul Qayyum
- Mercy Simbi
- Joy Talemwa
- David Tinambunan
International Development Studies
- Tuba Ahmad
- Edwin Appiatse
- Amadou Bah
- Callie Flood
- Veneranda Gweliwo
- Rokeya Khatun
- Dorothy Kisakye
- Ebenezer Korda
- Joy Makua
- Cynthia Mishiame
- Michael Mulwa
- Ashik Rubaiyat
Latin American Studies
- Melany Borja Moreno
- Deborah Danquah
- Carolina Espinosa
- Kehinde Fawole
- Cindy Torres
War and Peace Studies
- Anthony Banks
- Jim Khangamwa
- Pechmonyleap Neang
Undergraduate Students
International Studies
- Brody Duncan
- Audrey Keehn
International Studies - War and Peace
- Lauren Park
- Lincoln Miller
- Parker Brunner
- Emma Engstrom
- TJ Sweeney
Special Recognition Certificates
- Patricia Weitsman Memorial Scholarship – TJ Sweeney
- David Crane Fellowship in International Affairs – Erika Thomas
- Thomas and Anne Walker Scholarship – Melany Borja Moreno
- Daniel Shao Scholarship – Stephen Stange, Bradley Collins
- CIS Global Learning Fund Award – Vida Ayim, Adetola Fajembola
- CIS Fund for Student Travel Award – Michael Mulwa
- FLTA for Indonesian – Aulia Rahmawati
- FLTA for Hindi – Pragya Sengupta
- FLTA for Thai – Sasithon Khakhai
- FLTA for Malaysian - Sitti Sarah Yusoff
- TA for Wolof – Mam Cherno Sarr
- TA for Akan – Vida Ayim
- CIS GA - Saa Michel Tolno
- CIS GA – Ebenezer Korda
Recognition of External Awards
Phi Beta Kappa Initiates
- Savannah Barnes
- Sarah Campbell
- Elizabeth Caruthers
- Alyssa Donaghue
- Maggie Giansante
- Sarah Goecke
- Mollie Kawakami
- Cecilia Keeney
- Zavier Manning
- Alexandra Meszaros
- Emily Michael
- Alex Morris
- Lauren Park
- Hunter Person
- Brooklyn Smith
- Landon Wicks
CIS Faculty Awards
The Center for International Studies celebrates faculty, staff and students with annual awards for excellence and achievement.
CIS Excellence in Teaching Award
This award honors faculty members for their outstanding contribution to the Center's teaching mission. This award went to;
- Dr. Garrett Field, Associate Professor, Ethnomusicology/Musicology
CIS Advising and Mentoring Award
This award honors faculty members for their outstanding record of ensuring the academic success of the Center's students. This award went to;
- Dr. Rebecca Challenger, Assistant Director, Academic Coordinator & Professor of Instruction in Ohio Program of Intensive English
Friend of the CIS Award
This award honors faculty members for their distinguished contribution and dedication to the Center, its students, and its mission. This award went to;
- Jeffrey Shane, Affordable Learning, S.E. Asia, and Humanities Librarian
Distinguished Service Award
This award honors faculty and staff members for exemplary contributions and dedication to CIS, its students, and its mission. These awards went to;
- Dr. Pascal Yao Younge, Professor of Music Education