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Davidson-Davie Community College is one of five colleges named a 2021 recipient of the Senator Paul Simon Award for Comprehensive Internationalization, recognizing excellence in integrating international education through all facets of the college experience.

The award is given by NAFSA, an association of international educators and the world’s largest nonprofit association dedicated to international education.

“We are thrilled to receive the 2021 Simon Award at Davidson-Davie,” said Suzanne LaVenture, director of international education at the college. “It is a huge honor, especially since few community colleges receive this recognition. The award is a testimony to our commitment to providing international education opportunities to all of our students, facilitating high quality learning experiences, and preparing students to be successful in our increasingly interdependent world.”

Davidson-Davie students can experience global learning opportunities on campus and beyond.

More than 440 students have participated in the Scholars of Global Distinction program, taking internationalized courses, participating in on-campus learning opportunities, and engaging in a global experience. The college continues to be one of only a handful of community colleges to participate in the Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistants program, hosting visiting scholars who spend an academic year teaching world language on campus.

Next year, Davidson-Davie will also host a Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence from Argentina.

The college offers several short-term, faculty-led study abroad programs each year with destinations including Costa Rica, Ireland, Scotland, South Africa, France, Japan, and Argentina. Donors and the college’s foundation provide support for scholarships, enabling Davidson-Davie students to benefit from a high-impact learning experience with proven future benefits.

“Helping our students gain a deep understanding of our changing global community and how their careers and lives fit within a global economy is a priority for us at Davidson-Davie,” said Dr. Darrin Hartness, president of the college. “I’m so proud of the many faculty, staff, and students who have made this 2021 Simon Award possible.”