The James O'Driscoll Distinguished Service Award

The James O’Driscoll Distinguished Service Award is named in honor of James O'Driscoll who served as Chair of Region X in 1990-1991 and held national leadership positions in both TESOL and NAFSA. James was a mentor to many involved in international education and a colleague to many more. He was a longtime associate of the Institute of International Education (IIE), having joined IIE in the late 1960s. He also sat on the Board of Directors of Metro International. He was instrumental in the establishment of both the American Association of Intensive English Language Programs (AAIEP) and the Consortium of University and College Intensive English Programs (UCIEP). As head of the English Language Placement at IIE, he played a significant role in gaining credibility for the TESOL profession and the IEP industry as well as creating and publishing the first ELOPUS. One of his last public contributions to the field was running the TESOL Summer Institute in 1992 in Bratislava, Czechoslovakia. James died in April 1993, ironically during the weekend of the national TESOL conference, the first national conference he had ever missed. James O'Driscoll received NAFSA's Homer Higbee Award posthumously.

The award is by nomination of current Region X members. Nominees must demonstrate exceptional service to Region X, the furtherance of interests of international educational exchange, and active participation in regional activities, projects and programs.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Region X accepts nominations for the Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes an individual whose professional life has been dedicated to the field of international education, who has served as a mentor, and who has provided extensive service to the regional and/or national NAFSA community. This award has been established in honor of all our treasured colleagues whose memory we cherish. Any current Region X member may make a nomination.

Rising Professional Award

This award recognizes NAFSA members employed in the field of international education for fewer than five (5) years, who has demonstrated a notable commitment to the field through professional or volunteer activities, and who is active in regional and/or national NAFSA affairs. This award includes a small honorarium to be used for professional development.