San Diego State University (SDSU) has been awarded the 2025 Senator Paul Simon Award for Comprehensive Internationalization by NAFSA: Association of International Education. This honor acknowledges the university’s strong emphasis on producing globally – ready graduates.
With over 10,000 members, NAFSA is the world’s largest non – profit organization for international education and exchange. This year, SDSU joins Penn State, University of Arizona, University of Georgia, and Notre Dame in receiving this prestigious Simon Award for Comprehensive Internationalization.
For decades, providing global opportunities to students and faculty has been an integral part of SDSU’s development. The university received a similar NAFSA award in 2003 and has consistently ranked among the top 25 in the nation for the number of students studying abroad.
This latest accolade follows a comprehensive overhaul initiated by President Adela de la Torre. Given the university’s location on the U.S. – Mexico border, the reform aims to strengthen SDSU’s focus on binational efforts and also endeavors to cultivate graduates prepared for global careers.
The modernization measures include integrating disparate functions under the SDSU International Affairs unit; investing in binational and global education diplomacy initiatives; creating a unique position in the California State University system dedicated to managing safety for foreign travel; strengthening platforms to assist international students in transitioning to the U.S. higher – education system; and refocusing global education pathways (study – abroad programs) to emphasize academics and inclusion.
Cristina Alfaro, associate vice president of SDSU International Affairs, said, “We’ve added pillars around global education access, cultural and linguistic diversity, and safety. Additionally, we have deepened our commitment to international education diplomacy, research, and transborder engagement with our neighbors in Mexico.”
Named after the late U.S. Senator Paul Simon of Illinois, the Comprehensive Internationalization Award celebrates outstanding innovation and accomplishment in campus internationalization.
Besides the comprehensive – award winners, NAFSA also presented Spotlight Awards to Saint Louis University, University of Arkansas Little Rock, and University of Illinois Urbana – Champaign for their specific internationalization programs.
Alfaro said, “We are thrilled to receive the 2025 Simon Award from NAFSA, and we wholeheartedly congratulate our colleagues across the nation for their NAFSA internationalization recognition.”
SDSU’s education – diplomacy achievements are demonstrated in various aspects. For example, through SDSU Georgia, a collaboration with universities in the Republic of Georgia, SDSU offers accredited STEM degrees to address local workforce shortages. The SDSU Oaxaca Center for Mesoamerican Studies, which opened in 2022, has become a hub for research and study – abroad programs in public health, education, Indigenous languages, sustainable food, and more.
Another crucial cornerstone of SDSU’s internationalization is its proximity to Mexico. The university offers numerous cross – border experiences, creating opportunities for students who cannot travel to more distant locations.
Noah Hansen, senior director of SDSU International Affairs, said, “Students, faculty, and staff choose to come to SDSU because we think and act globally. SDSU students are eager to obtain a global education and are actively going abroad to study, explore, and conduct research.”
In terms of study – abroad programs, the university focuses on academics, safety, and access. Last year, SDSU provided $917,000 in grants to help students pursue overseas studies. Study – abroad advisors work closely with SDSU colleges to find international experiences relevant to students’ academic paths and collaborate with academic departments to pre – approve academic courses abroad.
Chris Kjonaas, head of SDSU’s Global Education Office, said, “Since the restructure, we’ve implemented a college – focused global education advising model. This allows us to shift our focus from ‘where do you want to go?’ during advising to ‘what is your major?’ and ‘what are your goals for the experience?’ first.”
This strategy has yielded remarkable results. This spring, the number of students going abroad from the university has increased by 40% compared to pre – pandemic levels.
Over the past decade, SDSU has welcomed 14,000 international students from 118 countries and offers a wide range of services to integrate them into the SDSU campus community.
Ricky Paniagua, director of the International Student Center (ISC), said, “Transitioning to a new country and education system can be overwhelming, so support and guidance are crucial during this time. The ISC provides this support to students, enabling them to feel empowered and part of the SDSU community during and after this transition period.”
Institutions selected for the Simon Awards will be featured in NAFSA’s report, “Internationalizing the Campus: Profiles of Success at Colleges and Universities,” to be published this fall. They will also be honored during NAFSA’s 2025 Annual Conference & Expo, which will be held from May 27 – 30 at the San Diego Convention Center.
Fanta Aw, NAFSA executive director and CEO, said, “For over two decades, the Simon Award has been a symbol of excellence in campus internationalization, and this year’s recipients continue this proud tradition. The inclusion of minority – serving institutions and public land – grant universities among the honorees highlights that global education can thrive in diverse institutional settings.”
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