In a bold and long-awaited move to recognize faculty leading the way in global education, DePaul University has launched its first-ever Global Engagement Faculty Award. This new honor celebrates outstanding faculty members whose work has elevated DePaul’s international presence through exceptional contributions in teaching, research, service, and global partnerships.
Spearheaded by the Comprehensive Internationalization Committee (CIC) and led with unwavering passion by committee co-chairs Dr. Nur Uysal and Dr. GianMario Besana, the creation of this award marks a significant milestone for the university. The idea, born out of a collective vision to formalize recognition of global engagement in academia, reflects DePaul’s mission to foster a diverse, inclusive, and globally connected learning environment and enjoyed immediate and strong support from Provost Salma Ghanem.
The journey to create DePaul’s Global Engagement Faculty Award began in Fall 2024, fulfilling a long-held aspiration among members of the Comprehensive Internationalization Committee to formally recognize faculty for their global contributions. For years, committee members had voiced the need for such an award to spotlight the tireless efforts of faculty who champion internationalization across teaching, research, and service. Responding to this shared vision, Nur Uysal, Associate Professor in the College of Communication and CIC co-chair, convened a dedicated task force including Caterina Mongiat Farina, Bruce Leech, David Wang, and Anna Souchuk. Together, the team worked diligently—reviewing national models, drafting thoughtful criteria, and creating a robust evaluation rubric. Through close collaboration with CIC members and a commitment to inclusive feedback, the award was successfully launched in Spring 2025, marking a meaningful step forward in celebrating DePaul’s global mission.
“This award is more than a recognition—it’s a statement,” said Uysal. “It acknowledges the vital work of our faculty who go above and beyond to create meaningful international opportunities, build cross-cultural bridges, and ensure our students are prepared to thrive in a global society. In today’s political climate, where discriminatory policies and rhetoric threaten inclusivity, recognizing and supporting global engagement in higher education is not only timely but essential.”
The Global Engagement Faculty Award honors faculty with a sustained and transformative record of global involvement. Eligible candidates must demonstrate significant contributions across four key areas:
● Impact on Global Education – including study abroad leadership, Global Learning Experience (GLE) courses, multilingual education, and curriculum internationalization.
● Research and Creative Activity – highlighting cross-border research projects or globally focused creative work.
● Service and Partnerships – showcasing collaborative initiatives with international institutions and mentorship of global students or faculty.
● Advancing Global Competency – through programs that deepen cross-cultural understanding on campus and beyond.
Nominations, including self-nominations, must be supported by a detailed application, a CV emphasizing global work, a letter from a Dean or Chair, and optional supporting materials such as publications or partnership documentation.
In its inaugural year, the award call received more than a dozen strong applications from across the university, reflecting the depth and breadth of global work already taking place at DePaul. The enthusiastic response demonstrates the faculty’s deep commitment to internationalization and the growing recognition of its importance in academic life.
The initiative has already received enthusiastic support from across the university, including from the Coleman Entrepreneurship Center, which contributed funding for the inaugural award. Recipients will be honored at Academic Convocation and will receive a commemorative plaque and a $2,500 monetary award.
“The Coleman Center is proud to support the Global Engagement Faculty Award to honor our faculty who have worked tirelessly to ensure our students develop a strong international perspective,” said Bruce Leech, Executive Director of the Coleman Entrepreneurship Center. “It is so important to recognize these faculty and their significant impact on our students’ global education and experiences at DePaul.”
As DePaul continues to expand its international footprint, the Global Engagement Faculty Award is set to become a cornerstone of the university’s commitment to global learning and recognition of faculty excellence.
“This award is about visibility,” said Uysal. “It brings forward the stories, the partnerships, the research, and the heart that our faculty put into global engagement every day. I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve accomplished together.”
The nomination deadline for the inaugural award was May 1, and the first recipient(s) will be announced this summer and formally recognized at DePaul’s Fall 2025-26 Convocation.