Region III Awards, Scholarships, and Grants

Region III Awards

Nominations are open for the Regional III Awards that we announce at the Region III Conference every year. The deadline to submit nominations is September 15, 2025. Use the link below to submit nomination information for our awards.

Region III Awards Nominations Form

Rising Star Young Leader Award

Selection Criteria
To be considered a nominee must:

  • May or may not be a NAFSA member
  • Served in their present area of expertise/specialization no more than five years
  • Show passion and has made significant contributions to their department, unit, institution, organization, to the Region III NAFSA community, and/or to the field of international education
  • Engage in activities such as:
    • Organized or led an activity or range of activities or services within their organization that promotes international education
    • Demonstrated innovation in their area of specialization
    • Presented at conferences and/or have engaged in publications of their work
    • Contributed to international education as a volunteer leader, etc.
  • Show promise in making further contributions to the field of international education as a leader

Nomination Procedures
To be considered for the award the following nomination procedures must be followed:

  • Nominations must be submitted online
  • Self-nominations are not accepted
  • Current members of the NAFSA Board of Directors, the NAFSA Region III team, and NAFSA staff are not eligible for consideration
  • All nominations must include details of the nominee's achievements based on the identified criteria which will be included in the online Google form

Prior recipients:

  • 2024: Andie Beer, University of Houston
  • 2023: Megan Hull, University of Arkansas; Larisa Landry, University of Houston; Jessica Meado, Texas A&M University
  • 2022: Martin Rosales, Texas A&M University; Danielle Vogal, UT Health Science Center San Antonio
  • 2021 Recipient: Sarayu Adeni, University of Texas
  • 2020 Recipient: Jie Fan, Texas A&M University
  • 2018: Carolyn Becker, Texas Women’s University
  • 2016: Sue Marlay, Arkansas State
  • 2015: Julia Bay, Lauren Jacobsen, University of North Texas

Lifetime Achievement Award

NAFSA's Region III Lifetime Achievement Award is awarded each year to NAFSAns in recognition of their career achievements in advancing the goals of NAFSA Region III and of international education and exchange. Individuals become eligible for nomination at the time of their retirement from professional responsibilities in the field of international education. The nomination process is confidential, and multiple awards may be offered each year, subject to recommendations by the Region III Chair-Stream.

Selection Criteria
To be considered nominees must meet the following criteria:

  • Retired in the year of nomination
  • Must be a NAFSA member (in the year of retirement)
  • Made significant contributions to international education at the regional level
  • Mentor to young professionals in international education
  • Positive influence on the lives or careers of participants or professionals in the field

Nomination Procedures

To be considered for the award the following nomination procedures must be followed:

  • Nominations must be submitted online by Region III members.
  • Each primary nominator must be a NAFSA member.
  • Nominations must present clear evidence of the nominee's achievements in the areas mentioned above.
  • A minimum of least two people should nominate the individual nominations is required for each nominee. Each individual nominator should represent a different institution or organization within NAFSA Region III, and each addressing a different perspective on the nominee's accomplishments.
  • The nominations must all be from NAFSA members.
  • Individuals may not self-nominate.

Prior recipients:

  • 2023: Adria Baker, Rice University; Michelle Stelljes
  • 2022: John Singleton, Texas Christian University
  • 2021 Recipient: Regina Henry, Oklahoma State University
  • 2015: Glenn Freeman, University of Central Oklahoma
  • 2014: Bob Crosier, Texas Tech University; Sandy Crosier, Texas Tech University

Award for Special Service to International Education

NAFSA Region III gives the Special Service to International Education to an individual who has contributed to the field of international educational exchange through long and outstanding years of service in the local, academic, and/or professional community or through innovative projects. 

Selection Criteria 

To be considered nominees must meet the following criteria:

  • May or may not be a NAFSA member · Worked in international education for 5 years or more
  • Show passion and has made significant contributions to international education beyond their institution through innovative projects. This may include the local, academic, and/or professional community.
  • Engage in activities that have stimulated, strengthened, and/or supported international education in Region III.
  • Show promise in making further contributions to the field of international education as a leader

Nomination Procedures

  • Nominations must be submitted online, and at least one must be from a Region III Member
  • Nominations must present clear evidence of the nominee's achievements in the areas mentioned above.
  • A minimum of two nominations is required for each nominee. Each nominator should represent a different institution or organization, and address a different perspective on the nominee's accomplishments.

Prior recipients:

  • 2022: Shanna Vincent, University of Oklahoma
  • 2020 Recipient: Sue Marlay, Arkansas State
  • 2015: Akash Patel, Aspiring Americans
  • 2014: Jeffrey Simpson, Oklahoma State University
  • 2012: Regina Henry

Award for Outstanding Service to International Education

The Award for Outstanding Service to International Education recognizes those members of NAFSA in Region III who have demonstrated outstanding performance in the field of international education of a sustained and serious nature. The recipients have made an extraordinary contribution to the field. The projects and/or services cited in their nomination must be of national impact, reflecting credit on and raising the visibility of Region III outside the region.

Selection Criteria 

To be considered nominees must meet the following criteria:

  • May or may not be a NAFSA member
  • Worked in international education for 10 years or more
  • Show passion and has made significant contributions to international education beyond their institution and through a sustained and serious nature.
  • Engage in activities that have stimulated, strengthened, and/or supported international education at a national level, raising the visibility of Region III outside of our region.

Nomination Procedures

  • Nominations must be submitted online, and at least one must be from a Region III Member
  • Nominations must present clear evidence of the nominee's achievements in the areas mentioned above.
  • A minimum of two nominations is required for each nominee. Each nominator should represent a different institution or organization, and address a different perspective on the nominee's accomplishments.

Prior recipients:

  • 2024: Maggie Mahoney, University of Houston
  • 2022: Holly Hudson, Texas A&M University
  • 2015: Barbara Glave, SDR Education Evaluators; Kathleen Gasparian, Gasparian & Associates

Region III Scholarships & Grants

Applications are open for Region III Scholarships & Grants to support your attendance at our next Region III Conference. The deadline to submit your application is August 15, 2025. See below for more information about both opportunities.

Glenn Freeman First-Timer Scholarship

In support of professional development with International Education, the Region provides a limited number of scholarships for first-time attendees. In memory of former Region III Chair, Glenn Freeman, the First-Timer Grants provide early-bird conference registration reimbursement and will be awarded to selected applicants from each state in the Region, as budget allows. The deadline to apply for the Glenn Freeman First-Timer scholarship for the 2025 Region III Conference is Friday, August 15, 2025.

Region III Travel Grant

Region III will offer travel grants in the form of complimentary registration and up to $300 in travel expenses. The deadline to apply for a Region III travel grant for the 2025 Region III Conference is Friday, August 15, 2025.

Region III State Awards

Nominations are received in early spring for state meeting awards. The deadline to submit is approximately two weeks prior to the state meeting. A link will be posted here with applications open.

State Awards

As international educators, you can submit nominations for an individual in the field of international education who has shown outstanding years of service to their state. The projects and/or services sited in their nomination must have state impact. Each state will award one recipient at their respective state meeting. Each award winner will receive recognition at the Region III Meeting.