GSIE's Smith Wins NAFSA Top Honor for Community Programming

Cassandra Thomas

Cynthia Smith

Cynthia Jane Smith, assistant director for outreach in the Office of International Students and Scholars in the Graduate School and International Education, won this year's Hugh M. Jenkins Award for Excellence in Community Programming from NAFSA Association of International Educators.

The award, which is the highest honor NAFSA gives out to community programming, recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to promoting global understanding and international exchange in the local community. Specifically, it honors people who exemplify a spirit of volunteerism and a long-term dedication to international exchange. The award identifies individuals whose leadership encompasses outstanding skills in recruiting, training and recognizing community volunteers. It is also intended to reward personal involvement with international students/scholars/dependents in the local community.

Smith has worked with international students at the U of A since 2000, beginning as an outreach coordinator before stepping into her current role as assistant director in 2012. In her more than two decades in ISS, Smith has helped coordinate programming connecting international students with the campus community and Northwest Arkansas community, including iFriends, Conversation Club, International Culture Team and International Education Week.

She has also coordinated outreach programs with local K-12 schools in Northwest Arkansas, sending international students to set up booths at events and present to classes on their countries and cultures. Smith was nominated by John L Colbert, superintendent of Fayetteville Public Schools, and longtime iFriends participant Evelyn Stillwell.

"It is exciting to be selected by my peers through my national professional organization, NAFSA," Smith said. "I have also known prior recipients who have been my respected mentors. The people who nominated me have been working collaboratively with me for over 20 years. And of course, working with wonderful students, scholars and community members to make the best programs and lifelong friendships."

"The mottos for two of the programs that I work with are 'Bringing the World to the Campus and Community' (International Culture Team) and 'Making Global Connections' (iFriend)," she added. "They are programs that create soft diplomacy and make our community a better place."

Among other awards, Smith has also previously won the Hoyt Purvis Award recognizing excellence in international education and was also named the university's Outstanding Registered Student Organization Advisor in 2015.

Smith holds a bachelor's degree from California State University Bakersfield.