2018 Celebration Event
Global Education held its 9th annual Celebration of International Education on Thursday, April 19th. This event highlights the achievements of students, faculty, and staff of the Millersville community in creating and internationalized campus. The event hosts two guest speakers, as well as a global buffet, featuring a selection of dishes from across the globe.
Provost Dr. Vilas Prabhu started off the event with some opening remarks, followed by a few words by Global Education Director Patriece Campbell. University President Dr. John Anderson made a few remarks following the global buffet. We hope Dr. Prabhu will continue to support Global Education and wish Dr. Anderson well as he enters retirement.
The featured speaker for the event was Cayla Vega. Cayla is both a Millersville alumnus as well as a study abroad alumnus. She graduated in 2012 with a Bachelors of Arts in Spanish and International Studies with a minor in Government and Political Affairs. She studied abroad in Burgos Spain at Millersville’s partner institution, la Universidad de Burgos. Cayla shared how studying abroad had pushed her outside her comfort zone and how the confidence she had gained from her experience had led her to who she is today. With her study abroad confidence, she made the big decision to move to Washington DC, joining George Washington University’s Office for Study Abroad. Cayla completed her Master of Arts in International Affairs from the George Washington University and continued her study abroad experience with multiple trips to South and Central America, including a research trip to Costa Rica. Cayla is now Grants Officer for Latin America and the Caribbean at the National Endowment for Democracy in Washington, DC.
Following Cayla, Navedita Bagchi, Director of the International Studies Program and professor of the Department of Government and Political Affairs, started off with an introduction of Sigma Iota Rho, the International Honors Society of Millersville University. Kristin Thomson followed with the Global Ambassador recognition. The Global Ambassador Program gives an opportunity for students to gain leadership and promotional skills by taking part in initiatives to create an internationalized community on campus. Global Ambassadors also provide a way for students returning from abroad to continue their study abroad experience back home. This year, six ambassadors were recognized for completing the program. Olivia Cordero followed with the recognition of graduating study abroad alumni and graduating International Students. Former study abroad participants graduating in May were gifted blue and green cords to wear during commencement. Graduating International Students were presented with gifts. Global Education would like to congratulate the ambassadors and all our graduating students and wish them luck in their future endeavors!
For the first year ever, the International Stewardship Award and the Student’s Choice Award were presented. The International Stewardship Award is presented to an individual or department that has contributed to the internationalization of the Millersville community. This year’s awardees were the Registrar’s Office and Dr. Karen Rice, Chair of the School of Social Work. The Student’s Choice is an award given to a faculty or staff member that students believe has displayed a commitment to supporting students in a global context both on and off campus. This year’s Student Choice awardees were Dr. Barry Atticks of the Music Department and Dr. Robyn Davis of the History Department. Congratulations to this year’s winners!
The night finished off with a speech fom Yaqun Deng, or Ivy, the International Student Speaker. Ivy is an International Business major originally from Taiwan, China. Ivy came to Millersville University two years ago feeling lost and alone. After an encounter with a lost, older lady, looking to return to school, Ivy was inspired and took on a newfound confidence. Since then she has participated in many activities, including community service. As a graduating International Student, Ivy hopes that the skills she has gained from her experiences here will help her land a job in the United States. We wish Ivy well in her future endeavors!
Finally, Global Education would like to thank those who participated in this event as well as those who helped bring together this event. We would like to congratulate again all those recognized and we look forward to 2019’s celebration!
Millersville University hosted the 
This summer Millersville University had two participants in new international teaching opportunities in China!
Millersville University encourages individual faculty, staff, and departments to initiate new international programs to foster Millersville University’s mission for providing a diverse, dynamic, meaningful experience to inspire learners. Global Education is committed to providing the best possible global experience for students and faculty at MU and assists everyone through new partnership development.