WASHINGTON –The Ralph J. Bunche International Affairs Center at Howard University was honored with the “Collaboration Award” from The Council on International Educational Exchange CIEE and won a $5,000 grant at the 2019 NAFSA: Association of International Educators Annual Conference and Expo this past May. NAFSA is the largest non-profit dedicated to international education and exchange and Howard University was a sponsoring partner at the conference. Over 100 countries were represented during the conference, and over 10,000 attendees present. Howard University President Wayne A.I. Frederick also offered remarks during a plenary session, on the efforts of Howard University in international communities and the advancement of opportunities for the current and next generation of students. 

“It was important to me for Howard University to be visible at the conference to share the unique mission, history and successes of HBCUs with a global audience,” said Tonija Hope Navas, director of the Ralph J. Bunche International Affairs Center.

This past year, Navas served as co-chair of the Local Arrangements Committee, offering guests of Washington, DC an authentic cultural experience. Several members of the Bunche Center team presented in seven different sessions at the NAFSA Conference, covering a range of topics from supporting underrepresented students to how study abroad offices can better collaborate with the institutional research office.

During the Spring 2019 semester, 59 students studied abroad in 21 countries around the world, which was 59 percent increase from 37 students in Fall 2018. Their partnership with CIEE, which has sent the current Bison STEM Scholars abroad to Berlin, Germany and other students to countries around the world, was recognized during the NAFSA conference. CIEE honored Howard University with a “Collaboration Award” for their dedicated work to advancing minority study abroad opportunities and partnership growth.

Additionally, the Ralph J. Bunche International Affairs Center was awarded the “Innovation in Diversity Award” from GoAbroad.com for their #StudyAbroadSoBlack movement on social media.

“I am nominating Howard University Ralph Bunche Center (RBC) specifically for the Innovation in Diversity Award because their #StudyAbroadSoBlack is a homegrown campaign to connect not only Howard students but also black students all across the US,” noted the GoAbroad team.

# # #

(Pictured above: Study Abroad Manager at the Ralph J. Bunche International Affairs Center, MaRaina Montgomery, receiving the Innovation in Diversity Award” - courtesy of GoAbroad.com.  Featured image: Ralph J. Bunche International Affairs Center staff - courtesy of Ralph J. Bunche International Affairs Center.)

About the Ralph J. Bunche International Affairs Center

Established in 1993, the Ralph J. Bunche International Affairs Center serves as Howard’s point of contact for a range of inquiries from entities outside the university: foreign embassies, governments, universities and corporations, as well as U.S. government agencies. We also integrate global perspectives into the HU experience, promote education abroad, facilitate deeper scholarship on global issues, support cross-cultural dialogue and respect for cultural diversity, and prepare leaders who can find solutions to global problems. We offer a variety of opportunities for students and faculty. To learn more, visit www.global.howard.edu

About Howard University

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 13 schools and colleges. Students pursue studies in more than 120 areas leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University operates with a commitment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has produced four Rhodes Scholars, 11 Truman Scholars, two Marshall Scholars, one Schwarzman Scholar, over 70 Fulbright Scholars and 22 Pickering Fellows. Howard also produces more on-campus African-American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States.  For more information on Howard University visit www.howard.edu

Media Contact: Imani Pope-Johns, Imani.popejohns@howard.edu