Columbus State University has been selected to receive the 2019 AASCU Excellence and Innovation Award for International Education. The American Association of State Colleges and Universities selected CSU’s “Your Developing Global Citizens: Engagement, Inclusion, and International Opportunity” program for its outstanding results and potential to influence and serve as a model for other institutions.
 
“CSU is excited to receive this award as it begins its ‘Create You’ campaign.  The University is dedicated to giving students experiential learning opportunities that are high-impact and transformative,” said Dr. Eric Spears, Chair of International Education and Executive Director of the Center for Global Engagement.  “This award would not be possible without the dedicated talent of CSU’s faculty and staff who support education abroad, international students, and global curricular and co-curricular programming.  It took a community to win this award.  We should celebrate it as a CSU community.”
 
Previously, Columbus State was awarded the Simon Award in 2014, recognizing U.S. colleges and universities that are making significant, well-planned, well-executed, and well-documented progress toward comprehensive internationalization—especially those using innovative and creative approaches. CSU has become a national leader in international education, outpacing larger research and smaller private liberal arts institutions with creative programming, inclusion, and student funding.

Award recipients receive an engraved sculpture and are recognized during the opening session of the 2019 AASCU Annual Meeting on Sunday, October 27. The purpose of the award is to honor member institutions for excellence and innovation in several major areas of campus life and leadership.