NAFSA's Advocate of the Year Award is an annual award to recognize an individual who has excelled in grassroots advocacy. The Advocate of the Year educates their elected officials on the value of international education and exchange, promotes public policies that will lead to a more welcoming and globally engaged United States, and inspires others to take action throughout the year.
2025 Advocate of the Year
NAFSA presented Ethan Edholm the 2025 Advocate of the Year award!
Previous Winners
2024
Chimin Lee Metzler
Loyola Marymount University
2023
Abby Conder Lussier
Ohio University
2022
Alexis M. Akagawa
Columbia University
2021
Deborah Pierce, PhD
Northern Illinois University (retired)
2020
Shannon Bedo
Houston Baptist University
2019
Nora Cavazos
The University of Texas Medical Branch
2018
Renée Bishai
The Ohio State University
2017
Fiona Grugan
University of Arizona
2016
Emlyn Torres
Northwestern University
2015
Katie Jabri
University of Minnesota
2014
Courtney Greene
Academic Programs International
2013
Ken Reade
Dartmouth College
2012
DeDe Long
University of Arkansas-Fayetteville
2011
David Wick
San Francisco State University
2010
Sal Longarino
Fordham University
2009
Susan Thompson
University of Nevada-Las Vegas
2008
Stephen Ferst
Rutgers University
2007
Bonnie Bissonette
Northcentral Technical College
2006
Adria Baker
Rice University