Indiana University has been awarded the 2023 IIE Heiskell Award for Models of International Education Financial Support in recognition of its International Advancement Initiative. This award from the Institute of International Education (IIE) recognizes the most innovative and successful models for developing and expanding international education in practice today. Indiana University joins three other awardees this year in the categories of widening access for international education, student mobility and exchange, and strategic partnerships.
Since 2015, the IU Global International Advancement Initiative has been an intentional and strategic partnership among the Office of the Vice President for International Affairs, the IU Foundation, and the IU Alumni Association. The collaboration boasts a successful $20 million endowment campaign for study abroad scholarships that sends an additional 400 students abroad each year. It also includes the creation of a first of its kind annual fund that has provided over $5 million in financial assistance to international students in need.
“IU has a long, rich history of global engagement, with pioneers in the field of international education like Herman B Wells and Patrick O’Meara. Alumni involvement and philanthropy play a strong supporting role in achieving our global mission,” Maarten Bout, director of international advancement and development, shared. “Bringing our advancement colleagues together in a concerted effort has had an exponential effect on our impact. We have created an increasing number of meaningful ways for our international community to remain connected which drives the success of our efforts.”
Through this initiative, IU ensures that global academic mobility is a priority within the university’s comprehensive advancement plan, while at the same time building capacity and establishing effective practices for international fundraising. It prioritizes meaningful engagement with IU’s community of over 70,000 international alumni, with 45 chapters across the world, as well as over 50,000 alumni who studied abroad.
“The International Advancement Initiative reflects the strong partnership among the groups at IU that seek to develop global philanthropy in support of our students,” said Hannah Buxbaum, IU vice president for international affairs. “It allows us to advance our mission in innovative and effective ways, including by connecting globally engaged alumni with current students at our five Global Gateway offices around the world.”
Named after Andrew Heiskell, this award was created in 2001 to promote and honor the most outstanding initiatives being conducted in international higher education. IU Global is proud to receive this award and be part IIE’s vast network of globally engaged universities who together demonstrate the power of international education through innovative and impactful programs.
Learn more about the winning initiatives and past awardees on www.iie.org/HeiskellAwards.
About IIE:
The Institute of International Education (IIE) is the leader in designing and implementing international education strategies and program services. We work with governments, policymakers, educators, and employers across the globe to prepare students and professionals for the global workforce and equip them to solve the increasingly complex challenges facing our interconnected world. With support from donors, we also create initiatives that assist students, scholars, and artists whose lives and work are threatened; expand teaching and learning across cultures; and provide opportunities to underserved populations. A not-for-profit organization founded in 1919, IIE has a network of 16 offices and affiliates worldwide and over 1,600 higher education partners.
The IIENetwork is IIE’s global membership association supporting the strategic advancement of international education. Through the IIENetwork, IIE shares decades of experience and expertise, generates resources, and leverages knowledge and practices with members who are working to strategize and actualize international education efforts, including building international and academic partnerships, recruiting international students, and advocating for study abroad and student mobility.
For more information, contact:
IIE: Press@iie.org
Indiana University: Brittaney Hartzer, Director of Marketing and Communications, bhutchin@iu.edu
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