Five Appalachian State University business students and two faculty members have earned awards from the Walker College of Business for outstanding international engagement.
Due to the pandemic and the need to follow social distancing measures, their achievements were recognized remotely by Dr. Martin Meznar, Associate Dean for Global and Civic Engagement, and Meredith Church Pipes, Global and Civic Engagement Specialist in a recorded ceremony shared on November 13th. Both the student and faculty presentations can be found on the event webpage: https://business.appstate.edu/internationalawards.
“We know that there are so many students who have been fearless language learners, humble beginners in a new culture, strong leaders, giving volunteers, good friends, dedicated students and intrepid travelers during their time abroad and at Appalachian.” said Meredith Church Pipes who presented the student awards. “As we recognize some of these outstanding students today, we also want to thank every student who has dedicated their time and energy to pursuing a global mindset.”
Dr. Meznar, who presented the faculty awards, noted the difficulties of bringing international experiences to students during a time when international travel has come to a standstill, highlighting the dedication of Walker College of Business faculty to this goal in the midst of these challenges.
Student Awards
Outstanding International Business Major Award: Molly Campillo
Molly Campillo earned the Outstanding International Business Major award in recognition of exceptional academic success and remarkable international engagement. Campillo is an international business and global studies double major with a Spanish minor. Originally from from Harrisonberg, Virginia, Campillo has traveled with Appalachian State University to Ireland as a Chancellor’s Scholar and to China as a Holland Fellow. She has volunteered in the Dominican Republic on an International Alternative Service Experience, studied Spanish in Spain on a faculty-led program, spent a semester abroad in Tokyo as an exchange student and completed an international internship, both in person in Ireland and virtually for a London-based company, during the pandemic. After graduation, she plans to move to London or Berlin and continue at the ecommerce merchandising company where she interned this past summer. Campillo believes developing a global mindset is crucial to being able to understand and more fully appreciate the people and cultures that we encounter.
Outstanding International Business Minor Award: Melissa Moore
Melissa Moore earned the Outstanding International Business Minor Award In recognition of exceptional academic success and remarkable international engagement. Originally from Gastonia, North Carolina, Moore is a hospitality and tourism major and an international business minor who traveled the globe on a Semester at Sea, an international educational program that allows students from all over the world to develop global citizenship skills through coursework and hands-on learning experiences while travelling, by ship, across four continents.While at Appalachian, she has served as a study abroad ambassador and a member of the Women of Walker. After graduation, she plans to pursue a Master’s in International Marketing in the United Kingdom, a plan that was inspired by her experience abroad.
“I am so thankful to my professors - at Appalachian State and abroad - who have prepared me for an international business to come. I am excited to see where all of these experiences and courses take me in the future!” said Moore.
International Business Student Association Leadership Award: Pilar Rios
Pilar Rios earned the International Business Student Association(IBSA) Leadership Award in recognition of her outstanding leadership and engagement. Rios is originally from Guadalajara, Mexico, and is a double major in international business and supply chain management. As the newly-elected president of the IBSA, Rios is committed to sharing her experiences and passion for diversity at Appalachian State. As the child of immigrants, she feels it is her social responsibility to be an ambassador of diversity and inclusivity.
“I strongly believe in the power of inclusion and our collective efforts to celebrate our differences. I know that through these actions we will build a better tomorrow,” said Rios.
Faculty-Led Most Valuable Participant Award: Devon Goolsby
Marketing and Risk Management double major Devon Goolsby earned the Faculty-led Program MVP Award in recognition of her outstanding leadership, engagement and positivity. As a participant in the London International Insurance Markets course during spring break 2020, she stood out as a steady presence during all of the uncertainties of the pandemic.
As one of her nominators shared, “My wish and hope for every faculty-led trip is a Devon Goolsby to serve as a peer leader and an appreciative participant to fully take advantage of the opportunity for learning and growth that study abroad provides.”
Global Citizen Award: Megan Temple
Marketing major and photography minor Megan Temple of Johnson City, Tennessee earned the Global Citizen Award in recognition of having established meaningful connections with the international community while abroad. Temple studied abroad in Nijmegen, Netherlands at Radboud University, where she joined the Erasmus Student Network and served on the public relations committee. She returned home early from her experience abroad due to the pandemic, but continued to collaborate virtually with her Dutch classmates to complete her semester. While here, she has served on study abroad panels and shared her experiences abroad with others.
“A global mindset gives a perspective of intentional self-growth through authentic interest in learning of other peoples and cultures,” said Temple.
The student awards were presented by Meredith Church Pipes, Global and Civic Engagement Specialist for the Walker College of Business. You can view the virtual student award presentation on YouTube.
Faculty Awards
Inspiring International Leaders Award: Lakshmi Iyer and Dinesh Dave
Dr. Lakshmi Iyer and Dr. Dinesh Dave jointly earned the Inspiring International Leaders Award in recognition of inspirational international leadership. Dr. Iyer, who is the acting associate dean of graduate programs and research in the Walker College and Dr. Dave, director of the Supply Chain Management program, were praised for their outstanding efforts to bring global learning to students during the pandemic.
When study abroad was cancelled due to the pandemic, Iyer and Dave redesigned their India Supply Chain and Analytics program to provide a virtual exchange opportunity for students. Their program was highlighted in an article in Appalachian Today. Students praised their positive leadership, hard work, graciousness and the high quality of the international experiences they facilitated, both on the in-person India program of 2019 and the virtual program in 2020.
“As educators, it is important that we provide opportunities to our students to become better global citizens by immersing them in both educational and research opportunities that cut across cultures and borders. In doing so, we better prepare our students to succeed in this economy, where organizations need a workforce with the capacity, skills, and talents to compete globally,” said Iyer.
Dr. Dave echoed these sentiments. “Knowledge and exposure to multicultural, international learning and experiences, paves the way to transform students into innovative business leaders who can make a positive impact, both locally and globally,” said Dave.
The faculty awards were presented by Martin Meznar, Associate Dean for Global and Civic Engagement for the Walker College of Business. You can view the virtual faculty award presentation on YouTube.
All award winners earned hand-crafted plaques, as well as travel bags, other Walker-themed prizes and gift cards from community partners, Stick Boy Bread Company and Melanie’s Food Fantasy.
For more information on the Walker College of Business International Awards, visit https://business.appstate.edu/internationalawards.
#WalkerAbroad Photo Contest
Faculty, staff and student participants in Walker College faculty-led programs, semester abroad or international internships were invited to share images from their travels as part of the #Walker Abroad Photo Contest. The top entries were:
First place: "Puesta del sol en el Malecón" in Havana, Cuba by Rebekah Saylors (MBA graduate, Business, Society & Sustainability in Cuba Faculty-led Program)
Second place: "Red Roofs As Far as the Eye Can See in Portugal” by Reegan O’Connor (International Business Major, ISA semester abroad Salamanca, Spain)
Third place: "Panoramic Views of Medieval Toledo” by Reegan O’Connor (International Business Major, ISA semester abroad Salamanca, Spain)
People's Choice: "Sunny Days in Sevilla” by Reegan O’Connor (International Business Major, ISA semester abroad Salamanca, Spain)
View our winning #WalkerAbroad photos at business.appstate.edu/walkerabroadwinners.
2020 Walker College International Award Winners
2020 Walker College International Award Winners