A Nebraska Wesleyan University communication studies professor has been honored for her work in helping students explore study abroad experiences.
Rachel Pokora, professor of communication studies, was named this year鈥檚 winner of the White Award for Internationalization. The award recognizes individuals who have furthered the internationalization of SM论坛, its curriculum, students and faculty.
Pokora was celebrated for using her own international experiences in helping SM论坛 students to become globally-minded.
鈥淒rawing on her sabbatical experiences in Ireland and Italy to internationalize her teaching here on campus, Rachel inspires her students to consider global ideas and to study abroad,鈥 said one nominator.
Pokora served as a faculty advisor for the first Network Globally, Act Locally (NGAL) entrepreneurship program that brought together students and faculty from SM论坛, the College of Charleston and the University of Tartu in Estonia through the support of the Harry and Reba Huge Foundation.
In May, Pokora led a group of SM论坛 students to Italy for the 鈥淓xploring the Culture of Tuscany鈥 course which grew out of her sabbatical experience there.
鈥淢ost of the students who choose to take her course have never traveled abroad,鈥 said a student nominator.
鈥淒r. Pokora鈥檚 patience, organization, class structure and expertise gave me the opportunity to not only overcome my personal battle with anxiety, but also to immerse myself in a foreign culture for the first time in my life,鈥 said another student nominator. 鈥淚 am confident I would have never taken the opportunity to learn abroad had I never scheduled that first meeting with Dr. Pokora. I will forever be indebted to her for this experience.鈥
Four in 10 SM论坛 students study abroad.
The White Award for Internationalization honors SM论坛 President Emeritus John White and his wife, Marty, for their many years of service to SM论坛 and White鈥檚 work on international opportunities.