NC State’s Office of Global Engagement recognized faculty and staff leaders who are advancing international education, research and service during its 2026 Global Engagement Honors and Awards Luncheon on April 15.

The annual event celebrated achievements across teaching, global partnerships and campus support services, highlighting the university’s continued commitment to expanding global learning opportunities and strengthening its international impact.

“Global partnerships strengthen our research capacity and create high-impact educational experiences for our students.”

Vice Provost for Global Engagement Amy Conger opened the program by reflecting on a year of growth in student mobility and research collaboration. Student participation in international programs continued to rise and NC State research publications with international co-authors more than doubled over the past decade. 

“Global partnerships strengthen our research capacity and create high-impact educational experiences for our students,” Conger said, noting the university’s increasing visibility and role in addressing complex global challenges.

New and Distinguished Awards

This year’s program featured an updated awards portfolio designed to recognize innovation, sustained commitment and long-term impact in global engagement.

The inaugural Distinguished Service in International Education Award was presented to Dr. Alice Lee, associate teaching professor in the Department of Biological Sciences.

Lee was recognized for her leadership in expanding access to global learning through curricular innovation, study abroad programming and virtual exchange. Her work includes integrating global perspectives into large-enrollment microbiology courses and developing immersive virtual reality experiences that connect students with international contexts.

“I believe the cultivation of empathy is the most important skill that we help our students build.”

She also played a key role in advancing Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) initiatives and supporting sustainable study abroad program models that broaden participation among students.

“I believe the cultivation of empathy is the most important skill that we help our students build,” Lee said. “When we move a student out of their comfort zone and into a different culture, we are teaching them a new way of seeing the world and its people. This empathy helps our students learn to sit with discomfort, to listen before they speak, and to recognize our shared humanity. In a world that often feels increasingly polarized, empathy is the most necessary skill we can provide.”

Career Impact in Global Research

The Jackson Rigney International Service Award was presented to Dr. Fikret Isik, professor in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, recognizing his extensive career in global research collaboration and advancement in sustainability stewardship.

“I believe international research, service and collaboration are valuable because they help us to address major challenges in a more meaningful way.”

Isik’s work spans multiple continents and includes partnerships with institutions and organizations across the Americas, Africa, Asia and Europe. His research integrates forest health and productivity with capacity-building efforts, while also engaging students and early-career researchers in global knowledge exchange.

“I believe international research, service and collaboration are valuable because they help us to address major challenges in a more meaningful way,” Isik said. “Issues related to climate, for example. Food sustainability and natural resources are global in nature, and no single institution or a country can solve them alone.” 

Established in honor of longtime NC State agronomist Jackson A. Rigney, the award recognizes individuals whose careers reflect a deep commitment to international research collaboration and service.

Recognizing Staff Excellence

The luncheon also highlighted the contributions of professional staff across NC State Global, which includes more than 60 professional staff and student employees supporting international programs, partnerships and services.

David McNeill, senior associate director in the Global Training Initiative, received the Ginger Davis Outstanding Service Award for his long-standing commitment to operational excellence and team support. Colleagues noted his problem-solving mindset and willingness to contribute well beyond his formal role.

The Think and Do Globally Award was presented to the Office of International Services team for its leadership and resilience during a year marked by shifting policies and global uncertainties. The team was recognized for providing timely guidance, coordinating campus resources and supporting international students and scholars through complex challenges.

A Growing Global Impact

The event also featured remarks from Lewis Owen, dean of the College of Sciences, who highlighted the impact of global experiences on discovery and education. 

“I was very honored to attend and present at the Global Awards Luncheon to be inspired by all the faculty and staff who dedicate themselves to global engagement, discovery, and education,” Owens said. 

As NC State continues to strengthen its international reach, the work of faculty and staff remains central to preparing students for an increasingly interconnected world.

“The work we all do to support global engagement is more important than ever,” Conger said.