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Every year, numerous University of Michigan scholars transform the globe into their learning environment, taking advantage of a diverse range of international educational opportunities.
From immersive overseas study and language initiatives to practical internships and impactful service learning, these encounters are facilitated by the dedication and knowledge of U-M faculty and staff who motivate students to engage with different cultures and communities.
The President’s Award for Leadership in International Education honors these essential contributions that link U-M students to the world. This year’s awardees—Cheryl Moyer, Lorenzo García-Amaya, and Scott Riggs—have developed programs, secured funding, and guided students in efforts that enhance global learning at Michigan.
“Engagement on a global scale is a foundational aspect of the Michigan experience,” stated U-M President Domenico Grasso. “Connecting with various cultures and nations fosters intellectual growth and empathy. I commend the efforts of this year’s award recipients and their embodiment of our dedication to international education.”
New this year are two categories for the award: Distinguished Service and Rising Professional. Moyer and Riggs received Distinguished Service honors, while García-Amaya is the inaugural recipient of the Rising Professional award, introduced this year to align with the Year of Global Engagement.
Enabling the future generation of global health leaders
Cheryl Moyer, a professor in learning health sciences and obstetrics and gynecology, has been a part of U-M for nearly 27 years. She co-developed the Medical School’s Global REACH unit, shaping its educational initiatives. With over $9 million in grant support, her research focuses on women’s health in low-resource environments, prioritizing education and skill development.
“This award carries significant meaning as my longtime mentor and friend, Dr. Tim Johnson, who was honored with this accolade a few years back, passed away this May,” Moyer remarked. “I consider him the godfather of global health at our university—his contributions to medical education in Ghana were genuinely transformative.”
Moyer has guided 124 U-M students and trainees in international health projects, directing them across various fields from engineering to public health for nearly three decades.
“Collaborating with students as they step beyond their comfort zones is an honor,” she stated. “None of us can predict how we might react when everything familiar is challenged. The growth I’ve observed over the years is extraordinary. I consider myself lucky to have a small role in these transformative adventures.”
Through the Minority and Health Disparities International Research Training Program, Moyer has facilitated research experiences abroad for 22 students—many from underrepresented groups. She also obtained a notable NIH Fogarty grant, broadening global research possibilities for health sciences scholars.
Moyer ensures that students take the lead and contribute: 75 of her publications feature U-M trainees, with students listed as first authors in 50 instances.
“At this point in history, it is crucial that we assist students in seeing beyond our borders and recognizing the incredible, diverse individuals that make up our world,” she expressed. “Our mission is to motivate students to improve the world.”
Transforming language education overseas
Since 2012, Lorenzo García-Amaya, an associate professor of Spanish and linguistics and associate chair of the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures, has enhanced U-M’s global initiatives through his teaching, mentorship, and particularly his leadership in immersive language experiences.
His research investigates how students develop language fluency and cognitive abilities in international, immersive contexts. Tools such as his Daily Language Questionnaire assess language usage, and his findings are published in
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The Routledge Handbook of International Education Research and Implementation.
Since 2005, García-Amaya has supervised 15 study abroad initiatives and undertaken research in Spain, Argentina, and South Africa. As a guide, he prepares students to perform research overseas and has mentored various undergraduate research endeavors, independent studies, and honors theses with international themes.
“After facilitating all these initiatives, I observe three enduring advantages,” he remarked. “Linguistic competence—daily interactions hasten expertise; empathy and fairness—experiencing life as a cultural visitor prompts students to reconsider privilege; and purpose-oriented professions—many of my former students now hold global positions, ranging from education in Colombia to computational analysis in Germany.”
His prestigious collaborative initiative “From Africa to Patagonia: Voices of Displacement” links Michigan classrooms with a community in Argentina that speaks Afrikaans, while his field studies in various nations anchor his research on language, identity, and cognition.
As a first-generation college alumnus, García-Amaya expressed that this acknowledgment confirms his dedication to making global education accessible to all students.
“I understand firsthand how transformative engaging with the world through education can be,” he stated. “This accolade reinforces that the efforts I’ve undertaken are making a genuine difference.”
Connecting communities for commuting students: Accessibility for everyone
Scott Riggs, the global engagement director at U-M Dearborn, has broadened opportunities for affordable study abroad for commuting students. He co-created the Dearborn Discovery Core Study Abroad initiative in Gdansk, Poland, which provides nine general education credits at a lower price.
He forged alliances with foreign institutions, incorporated global learning into Dearborn’s strategic framework, and sustained global engagement throughout the pandemic through virtual programs.
Riggs also provides guidance for international students, assists fellowship candidates, and advocates for changes to integrate global experiences into the academic experience at U-M Dearborn.
According to Riggs, the Global Engagement office at UM-Dearborn strives to equip students to navigate a complicated, interconnected world. The office develops resources and experiences that empower students to address global issues across cultural boundaries, such as climate change, conflict, and systemic inequalities.
As both global and local communities confront growing division, Riggs asserts that there is no more crucial preparation for students than the capacity to engage productively in a diverse and fragmented world.
“Being honored in such a way is humbling and something I shall always value,” he shared. “I aspire to utilize this award as a reminder to open as many doors as possible for those who are equally worthy but who lack the access to the privileges that I have experienced. Furthermore, I want to acknowledge that for a small office to create a broader impact, it requires a supportive network. It means a lot to many of us at the Dearborn and Flint campuses when our efforts are recognized and appreciated by the larger university community.”
The award ceremony is set to take place from 8:30 to 10 a.m. on September 12 at the Michigan Union, Rogel Ballroom, Ann Arbor campus.
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