| Nominations now being accepted for University Awards
Interim President Neil Kerwin last week announced changes to the University Awards process, including cash prizes ranging from $250 to $5,000 for each award. Previously, only a handful of awards, including the Scholar-Teacher of the Year, were funded. “Funding for the University Awards signifies a renewed commitment to reward examples of excellence within the AU community,” Kerwin said. Nominations for faculty awards, which can be downloaded from the redesigned awards Web site, www.american.edu/universityawards, are due to deans or the university librarians by Feb. 20. Winners will be announced Apr. 23 during the faculty recognition dinner. Nominations for staff awards, which can now be completed via the my.american.edu portal, under the “activities and events” link, are due by March 1. Winners will be announced May 23, during Staff Appreciation Week. The University Awards also recognize student and alumni achievements. Tobias appointed director of SPA’s executive education programs
Robert Tobias has been named director of Public Sector Executive Education at the School of Public Affairs (SPA). In his new role, Tobias will oversee the Key Executive MPA for senior government employees and other executive education programs. “Bob Tobias brings a unique knowledge of government leadership from his work both as a skilled practitioner and as a scholar,” said SPA dean William LeoGrande. “His expertise and ability to teach and inspire excellence is a great match for Key, the leading program of its kind, and the school’s other public sector endeavors.” Tobias is also director of SPA’s Institute for the Study of Public Policy Implementation, which releases an annual list of the best places to work in the federal government. SIS students network, sharpen skills during Uganda youth summit
SIS students Jamie Alvis and Charmagne Campbell-Patton took their skills from the classroom to the field this month as part of a youth delegation that traveled to Uganda to learn about the violence there. Alvis and Campbell-Patton, master’s students in the International Peace and Conflict Resolution program, were among 23 American and Canadian college students and 25 Ugandans who participated in Global Kimeeza, a summit organized by Global Youth Partnership for Africa. During the trip, from Jan. 2 to 14, the students discussed peace-building strategies, enjoyed cultural activities, and rafted down the White Nile. “I learned a lot about myself and just how complicated peace building and conflict resolution really is,” said Alvis. “The people in Uganda are doing really amazing work; I was moved by their commitment to the problem,” said Campbell-Patton. “I feel like [in the U.S.], we don’t get much of a picture of the local efforts there. The trip helped me realize that they need support from us, but they’re also doing really great things on their own.” While in Africa, both students also developed friendships and professional connections. “It was great to meet people with similar interests,” said Alvis, who aspires to work with youth in conflict-ridden areas. “I’m already working with Global Youth Partnership for Africa on another project.” Jewish students explore faith, heritage on India winter break trip
Ten students from AU’s Hillel learned more about their faith and their culture when they journeyed to India over winter break. According to Amy Levine, AU’s Hillel program director, the Jewish community in India is small; the population has dwindled from 200,000 to about 5,000. “The students were so excited to learn more about the community, and they wanted to do it right away since there’s a possibility it might not be there in a couple years,” said Levine, who led the 14-day trip. During their stay, students visited Jewish leaders and nonprofit organizations in six Indian states. The also visited the Taj Mahal, worked with the elderly, and talked with other Jewish students. “There’s only one rabbi in all of India,” said Levine. “These people have taught themselves Judaism through books, it’s really remarkable. “Each place we went, we were just greeted with immense hospitality,” she continued “People would just whip up this amazing meal and get the entire community together to talk with us.” Hillel offers similar trips twice a year; during spring break, the group will travel to New Orleans. |
