Media Contacts:
Audrey Arthur
Spelman College
404-270-5892
aarthur3@spelman.edu
Twitter:
@SpelmanMedia
Ariana Peña
Diversity Abroad
510-982-0635 x 706
apena@diversityabroad.org
ATLANTA (February 2, 2018) — Spelman College has been selected to receive the 2018 Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion in International Education (EDIIE) Award. Each year, Diversity Abroad selects winners who have demonstrated a commitment to advancing diversity and inclusive excellence within international education on an individual, institutional, and organizational level, as well as students who represent Diversity Abroad’s mission to diversify global education.
“Each year Diversity Abroad has the opportunity to recognize institutions, organizations and individuals who have tirelessly worked to expand access to global education for students who have traditionally not taken advantage of these high impact experiences. Through their work, the 2018 EDIIE award recipients are creating opportunities for all students to gain access to the rich academic, career and interpersonal benefits that are derived from global education and cultural exchange. We are honored to highlight the awardees success,” said Andrew Gordon, CEO and founder of Diversity Abroad.
“This award validates Spelman's commitment to a campus internationalization agenda aimed at increasing access to global education while promoting diversity and inclusive practices,” said 'Dimeji Togunde, Ph.D., associate provost for Global Education and professor of international studies at Spelman. “It is so gratifying that our efforts in international education are being recognized.”
Through the Spelman Going Global initiative, student participation in study abroad grew from 218 to 441, an increase of 102 percent in the last six years. During the same period, faculty global engagement increased by 107 percent. Study abroad destinations grew from 22 to 35 to encompass destinations other than European countries. Study abroad participation by STEM students increased by 79 percent. Study abroad participation by first-generation college students increased by 82 percent. Lastly, study abroad participation by Pell Grant recipients increased by 71 percent.
Spelman will be presented with the EDIIE award at the 6th Annual Diversity Abroad Conference, "New Realities and Untapped Potential," on April 10, 2018, in Miami, Fla. Other award recipients include Western Kentucky University; University of Michigan College of Literature, Science and the Arts; Tennessee State University Office of International Affairs; Arizona State University; and International Honors Program, SIT Study Abroad.
"It is with great enthusiasm that I congratulate Dr. 'Dimeji Togunde and the Global Education staff for their dedication to fostering diversity and inclusion in international education,” said Sharon Davies, Spelman Provost. “These cross cultural engagements serve to prepare our students to be global leaders and are a shining example of excellence at Spelman College."
To learn more about the awards, visit
www.diversitynetwork.org.
About Diversity Abroad
The Diversity Abroad Network is the leading professional consortium of educational institutions, government agencies, for-profit and non-profit organizations dedicated to advancing diversity and inclusive good practices that increase access, achieve equitable diversity and foster inclusive excellence in global education. Diversity Network members support the important work that the Diversity Network engages in to advance research, develop effective advising tools, and offer learning and development opportunities essential to creating equitable access to global education.
About Spelman College
Founded in 1881, Spelman College is a leading liberal arts college widely recognized as the global leader in the education of women of African descent. Located in Atlanta, the College’s picturesque campus is home to 2,100 students. Outstanding alumnae include Children’s Defense Fund Founder Marian Wright Edelman; Starbucks COO Rosalind Brewer, Broadway producer Alia Jones, former Acting Surgeon General and Spelman’s first alumna President Audrey Forbes Manley, Harvard professor Evelynn Hammonds, author Pearl Cleage; and actress LaTanya Richardson Jackson. For more information, visit
www.spelman.edu.