NAFSA Recognizes Eight U.S. Higher Education Institutions for Excellence in Campus Internationalization

Washington, D.C. -- Today, NAFSA: Association of International Educators announced that eight U.S. universities and colleges have been selected to receive a 2026 Senator Paul Simon Award for Campus Internationalization. Named after the late Senator Paul Simon of Illinois, the awards celebrate outstanding commitment and accomplishment in campus internationalization. 

“We are pleased to honor the achievements of eight institutions that have distinguished themselves as standard-bearers in the practice of internationalization,” said Fanta Aw, NAFSA executive director and CEO. “Amid a rapidly changing higher education landscape, their demonstrated excellence and innovation in preparing students for a globalized society and workplace provide the field with welcome inspiration. With five repeat winners this year, we are again reminded that campus internationalization at its best is a continuous, dynamic process. We applaud all of this year’s awardees for their unwavering dedication to building a more globally connected future.”

The Senator Paul Simon Award for Comprehensive Internationalization recognizes excellence in integrating international education throughout all facets of university and college campuses. The 2026 Comprehensive Award recipients are:

• Lone Star College (Houston, Texas)

• Luther College (Decorah, Iowa)

• Saint Louis University (St. Louis, Missouri)

• University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (Champaign, Illinois)

• Washington University in St. Louis (St. Louis, Missouri)

Read more here.