Academics

Assaf selected as 2013 Distinguished Service award winner by NAFSA

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Masume Assaf, director of international student and scholar services in Global Programs at Penn State, was selected as the 2013 recipient of the Homer Higbee Award for Distinguished Service to the Association of International Educators (NAFSA). Assaf will be recognized at a special event at the 2013 Annual Conference & Expo held May 26 – 31 in St. Louis, Mo.

“This is a well-earned and well-deserved honor for Masume,” said Michael Adewumi, vice provost of Global Programs. “Masume has dedicated almost 30 years to expanding international education and has advised and mentored countless peers and students along the way. She is one of the most widely recognized national leaders in international student advising.”

The Homer Higbee Award is an annual award, according to NAFSA’s website, granted to an individual who has donated at least 10 years of distinguished service to NAFSA’s association and plans to continue as an active NAFSAn. The criteria used to select nominees includes three key areas: demonstrated expertise and commitment to the field by acting as a professional mentor to colleagues in two or more NAFSA knowledge communities; inspired other international educators through mentoring, publications, and service to NAFSA; and continues to serve in a variety of association leadership positions, both elected and appointed, where they can influence and encourage the professional development of others.

Assaf has advised international students at Penn State for 29 years. She has served on NAFSA’s Board of Directors and is a frequent presenter at NAFSA conferences. Assaf was the recipient of NAFSA’s Region VIII Award for Outstanding Contributions to International Education in 2005 and received the former Region IX Award for Outstanding Contributions to International Education in 1990. In 2006, she received the Administrative Excellence Award from Penn State. Assaf coauthored the original NAFSA F-1 Regulations for Beginners CEP workshop with Linda Gentile as well as the recently revised electronic edition. She has been the chair of NAFSA Region VIII as well as the national chair of the section on International Student and Scholar Advising. She has a bachelor of arts degree from New York University where she had a dual major in near eastern studies and political science and has an MS in TESL from SUNY Albany.

For more information, contact Elizabeth Brady eib10@psu.edu in Global Programs.

Last Updated January 9, 2015