KU News Release

National educators association honors KU’s Global Awareness Program

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas’ Global Awareness Program has received the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators’ award for Best Practices in International Programming. GAP was recognized as a campus-based initiative that promotes international awareness.

GAP coordinator Jane Irungu will receive the award on behalf of the university April 1 at the joint meeting of the American College Personnel Association: College Student Educators International and the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators: Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education at their 12th annual international symposium in Orlando, Fla.

Since GAP began in fall 2004, more than 1,000 students have participated and nearly 400 students have completed the program that results in certification on undergraduates’ transcripts. Students who study a modern foreign language and enroll in three courses with a significant modern international focus, participate in verifiable co-curricular activities with an international focus or study abroad can earn this recognition.

GAP has become a model program. Pittsburg State University will begin its version of the program next fall and the University of Bonn, Germany, started a similar program this year.

“The Global Awareness Program is a unique contribution to campus internationalization in that it makes it possible for all students — even those who can’t study abroad — to be exposed to issues related to globalization,” said Diana Carlin, dean of the Graduate School and International Programs. “We are pleased that GAP is recognized outside the university for its creativity and success.”

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