From staff reports
The University of South Carolina Beaufort (USCB) has won the prestigious 2023 AASCU Excellence & Innovation Award for International Education from the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU). This recognition celebrates USCB’s initiative, “Global Reach: International Competencies at the University of South Carolina Beaufort,” for its exceptional outcomes and potential as a model for academic institutions worldwide.
USCB won this award for its commitment to fostering global awareness, cross-cultural understanding, and international competencies. Chancellor Al M. Panu expressed gratitude, stating, “We are honored to receive the 2023 AASCU Excellence & Innovation Award for International Education. This recognition reflects our dedication to promoting excellence, innovation, and global citizenship in higher education.”
The initiative, led by Babet Villena-Alvarez, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, and the university’s International Programs Committee, has infused USCB’s campuses. Operating across Bluffton, Beaufort, and Hilton Head Island, the Global Reach initiative offers a diverse range of programs, partnerships, and resources. These include immersive language courses, international collaborations, study-abroad opportunities, and cross-cultural activities that cultivate an environment of international engagement.
USCB’s leadership will formally receive the AASCU Excellence & Innovation Award at the 2023 Annual Conference in Chicago, scheduled for November 4 through 7.
