Excellence in International Education Awards

In 2000, NCAIE began awarding international excellence awards to individuals and institutions that have demonstrated outstanding commitment and impact to the field of international education. Descriptions of the specific awards are listed below.

The award recipients are selected by the NCAIE board members. The awards are presented to recipients during the NCAIE State Conference.

Nominations for the 2025 awards are now open and will close on February 5, 2025. 

Nomination Form

The Martha Fitch Trigonis Individual Award

This award is presented to an individual who has shown remarkable excellence in the field of international education. The award is named in honor of Martha F. Trigonis, former Director of International Student and Scholar Services at the University of North Carolina Greensboro, a position she held until she passed away in 2003. Martha filled a variety of roles in international education, including chair of NCAIE and a member of NAFSA Regional team. She was a fun, vivacious spirit and much beloved in the UNC-G international community.

Past Award Winners:

  • 2024- Dr. Chrissie Faupel and Dr. Andre P. Stevenson
  • 2023 – Kim Priebe
  • 2021 – Allegra Laing
  • 2019 – Minnie Battle Mayes
  • 2018 – Betty Webb
  • 2017 – Darla Deardorff
  • 2016 – Penelope “Nell” Pynes
  • 2015 – Marian Beane
  • 2014 – Neil Bolick
  • 2013 – Brad Sekulich
  • 2012 – Dotty Holley
  • 2011 – Ed Tweedy
  • 2010 – Rhonda P. Brown
  • 2009 – Judith Case
  • 2008 – Beth Carmical and Lisa Giragosian
  • 2007 – Nancy Wells
  • 2006 – Diana M. Levy
  • 2004 – Sherri Spillman
  • 2000 – Kathy Ktul

Institutional Award

This award is presented to an institution whose international programming is exemplary and outstanding. The institution’s program should be not only excellent but also unique.

Past Award Winners:

  • 2024- UNC-Chapel Hill’s Diplomacy Initiative
  • 2021 – NC State University, Study Abroad Office
  • 2020 – Guilford College International Programs
  • 2016 – Office of International Program, UNC Wilmington
  • 2015 – Global Academic Initiatives at East Carolina University
  • 2014 – Davidson County Community College
  • 2013 – Scholars’ Latino Initiative
  • 2012 – Durham Tech Community College
  • 2011 – NC State Global Training Initiative
  • 2009 – UNCG’s Center for New North Carolinians
  • 2008 – Methodist University
  • 2007 – Duke University
  • 2002 – The North Carolina Community College System
  • 2001 – Elon College (now Elon University)
  • 2000 – Warren Wilson College

Volunteer Award

The Outstanding Volunteer Award is presented to an outstanding individual or group that has made a significant contribution as community volunteer(s) committed to international affairs at a local academic institution.

Past Award Winners:

  • 2023 – Sujayalaksmi Devarayasamudram, NC Central University
  • 2021 – Christelle Barakat, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
  • 2020 – Sujayalaksmi Devarayasamudram, NC Central University
  • 2018 – Javonni McLaurin
  • 2016 – Campus Christian Fellowship at East Carolina University
  • 2015 – Luis Vergara
  • 2014 – Joanne Napoli
  • 2013 – Curry Murray
  • 2012 – Charlotte Host Family Program
  • 2011 – Bev Mueffelmann, Margaret Mullins & Noi Bland
  • 2010 – Marjorie Bennett
  • 2009 – Audrey Womack
  • 2007 – Ron and Pat Leithe
  • 2005 – Araya Coffey
  • 2004 – Paul Frelick
  • 2002 – Karen Durovich
  • 2001 – Frances Jones & Doris & Brevard Brown
  • 2000 – John Coffey

Professional Newcomer Award

This newly offered award is presented to an individual who joined an institution of higher education in North Carolina and is within the first five years of their career. This individual should have demonstrated a significant contribution to the field of international affairs.

  • 2024- Erin Taylor, East Carolina University Education Abroad
  • 2023 – Courtenay Klauber, NC State University Office of International Services
  • 2022 – Tony Shurer, NC State University Office of International Services
  • 2021 – Maura McCarthy, NC State University Study Abroad Office

Student Award

This newly offered award is presented to an undergraduate or graduate student at an institution of higher education in North Carolina who has demonstrated interest in international education and is working towards enhancing the field.

  • 2021 – Lexi Hyde, NC State University