Penn State Global announces 2025-26 awards recipients

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State Global has announced the 2025-26 recipients of its annual awards that recognize the outstanding contributions of individuals and academic programs at the University who have contributed to advancing its global engagement goals. This includes a new award this year, the Outstanding Global Alum award.

"I'm delighted to recognize the extraordinary global engagement of our entire community, including our alumni, at Penn State and celebrate such a broad range of awardees from across the University," said Sabine Klahr, vice provost for Global. "Penn State's global impact is truly impressive in directly supporting student success, advancing research and innovation, and positively impacting communities here in Pennsylvania and around the world. I am so proud of the award recipients and their achievements."

Recipients will be honored this week at an awards ceremony in Robb Hall in the Hintz Alumni Center on March 26.

W. LaMarr Kopp International Faculty Award

The W. LaMarr Kopp International Faculty Award recognizes one faculty member annually who has made extraordinary contributions to the advancement of the international mission of the University. The award recognizes faculty for excellence in leadership and support for international education, service to the international community, and international research accomplishments.

This year's Kopp Award winner is Asher Rosinger, College of Health and Human Development.

Ardeth and Norman Frisbey International Student Awards

These awards honor and recognize outstanding contributions to international understanding by graduate/undergraduate international students (holding non-immigrant status) enrolled in full-time resident instruction or its equivalent. One graduate student and one undergraduate student receive these awards.

The categories and winners for this year for the awards are:

• Graduate Student: Alejandra Armesto Gómez, College of Agricultural Sciences
• Undergraduate Student: Joshua Mathew, Penn State Harrisburg

Early Career Faculty Award

The purpose of this award is to recognize innovative international research projects, excellence in global scholarship, or curricular and experiential leadership surrounding global learning for a tenure-earning faculty member at Penn State.

This year's winner is Federico Scurti, College of Engineering.

Global Research Impact Award

The purpose of this award is to recognize innovative research projects and/or initiatives that can be shown to be advancing progress towards meeting one or more of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.

This year's winner is Wangda Zuo, College of Engineering.

Outstanding Global Program Award

The purpose of this award is to recognize an innovative program at the university that has advanced the vision global excellence at Penn State. Selected programs shall have demonstrated that they further Penn State's global mission to be a world leader in global engagement with a culture of critical global citizenship.

This year's award was given to the "Comparative Drug Policy, Social Interventions, and Health" Program at Penn State Berks, run by Jennifer Murphy.

Excellence in Global Engagement Staff Award

The purpose of this award is to recognize an exemplary member of staff or an outstanding team of staff that consistently provides excellent support and leadership for global success at Penn State. These nominees will have conducted their work with intentional and inclusive excellence over an extended period and are known for going the extra mile to support academic and/or research success for students, staff or faculty.

This year's winner is Thomas Gabel, program manager in the Global Teach Ag Network.

Excellence in Global Education Award

The purpose of this award is to recognize innovative teaching pedagogies used by outstanding faculty at the teaching/instructor rank when teaching global/international content with excellence.

This year's winner is Daniel Foster, College of Agricultural Sciences, and co-founder of the Global Teach Ag Network.

Outstanding Global Alum Award

This award recognizes a Penn State Alum who has made significant contributions and achievements in their chosen profession, their community, and to the Pennsylvania State University.

This year's winner is Maya Nehme, director of the Lebanon Reforestation Initiative, who earned her dual doctorate from Penn State in 2009 in entomology (College of Agricultural Sciences) and comparative and international education (College of Education) and returned to the University for two postdoctoral experiences.

Vice Provost Staff Excellence Award

The purpose of this award is to recognize exemplary performance by a full-time employee in Penn State Global. Successful recipients will have consistently performed at the highest levels of excellence in all aspects of their work, including their interactions with others across Penn State Global.

This year's winner is Claudia Prieto, Customized Programs Coordinator in Education Abroad.

Lifetime Achievement Award

The purpose of this award is to recognize an individual who has consistently demonstrated exceptional achievement towards furthering the global vision of Penn State across their career at the university.

This year's winner is Peter Hudson, Willaman Professor of Biology in the Eberly College of Science.

More Information

For more information on awards criteria and eligibility, please visit the Penn State Global Awards website.