The Walker College of Business celebrated student, faculty and staff commitment to sustainability and a global mindset during the Global Good Awards Ceremony, held September 13 as part of the Global Good Conference at Appalachian State University.
Five individuals were honored with awards for their global engagement, and two were recognized for their commitment to sustainability. Three students and one faculty member were recognized for capturing images depicting experiences abroad.
Two faculty members were honored for their contributions to sustainability.
- Carol Kline, Triple E Award
- Jesse Pipes, Triple E Award
The following individuals were honored for their global engagement.
Faculty and Staff Awardees:
- Wendy Deng, Outstanding Faculty-led Program Leader Award
- Rachel Shinnar, inaugural Global Faculty Award
- Jacqueline Tilton, Inspiring International Leaders Award
Student Awardees:
- Ella Cooper, Global Citizen Award
- Alyssa Smith, Faculty-led Most Valuable Participant Award
Additionally, four were honored for photos representing their experiences as part of the Walker Abroad Photo Contest.
- Kinsey Benton, First Place
- Brooke Austin, Second Place (and Third Place)
- Dave McEvoy, Third Place
- Anne Allison, People’s Choice Award
Sustainability Awards
Carol Kline, Triple E Award
Carol Kline, a professor in the Department of Management and program director for App State’s Hospitality & Tourism Management degree program, earned a Triple E Award for spearheading sustainable tourism efforts. The Triple E Award (previously Green E Award) recognizes individuals in the college for outstanding accomplishments in sustainable business. The “E” refers to the three E’s of sustainability — economy, environment and equity. Kline’s research expertise includes tourism sustainability, agritourism, ecotourism, tourism in developing economies, and animal rights. Notably, Kline co-directs UPLIFT, which includes a $2.4M grant to help rural counties in North Carolina develop locally driven tourism, often conserving ecological diversity and celebrating rural diversity.
From left: Jesse Pipes, Jim Westerman and Carol Kline.
Jesse Pipes, Triple E Award
Jesse Pipes, a senior lecturer in the Department of Management, earned a Triple E Award for his creative curricular contributions to sustainability. Pipes was honored for his perspective on sustainability, which he considers core to any business question. This is evident in his course design, which integrates circular business models, human-centered design, systems thinking, and social entrepreneurship. Pipes previously worked with the Solar Decathlon and the Mandela Washington Fellows and has led travel abroad opportunities for the college. He leads the Holland Fellowship for Business Study in Asia, which he redesigned to include sustainable consulting projects, including collaborations with a variety of businesses ranging from a global fashion brand to a local retailer to a coffee farm in Indonesia.
View past Triple E recipients online, https://business.appstate.edu/about/events/business-good.
Global Faculty and Staff Awards
Wendy Deng, Outstanding Faculty-led Program Leader Award
Wendy Deng, a university program specialist in the Brantley Risk and Insurance Center, earned the Outstanding Faculty-led Program Leader Award, which honors exceptional contributions in the development, coordination, and leadership of a Walker College of Business faculty-led program. Deng has co-led various unique programs, including the Holland Fellowship for Business Study in Asia and Risk Management & Insurance trips to Bermuda and England. Deng is known for her meticulous planning, skillful navigation of university processes, and dedication to assisting students abroad.
From left: Martin Meznar, Wendy Deng, Meredith Pipes & Jesse Pipes
Rachel Shinnar, Global Faculty Award
Management Professor Rachel Shinnar earned the first-ever Global Faculty Award, which acknowledges global leadership in teaching, research, and service. Shinnar has led study abroad programs to Spain and Cuba and taught as a visiting scholar in France. She teaches globally-focused courses at the Boone campus and developed a collaborative online program with Providence University in Taiwan to provide intercultural learning to students who might not have the opportunity to travel abroad. Her research collaborations span Europe, Asia, and beyond, frequently highlighting global issues and incorporating cross-country comparative studies. Shinnar has secured funding for international scholars and supported cultural diversity events on campus, enriching the university community. “A previous winner of the Inspiring International Leaders Award and the Outstanding Faculty-Led Program Leader Award,” said Meredith Pipes, global and civic engagement specialist for the college, “her commitment to global education and collaboration has left a profound impact.”
From left: Marty Meznar, Rachel Shinnar & Meredith Pipes
Jacqueline Tilton, Inspiring International Leaders Award
Dr. Jacqueline Tilton earned the Inspiring International Leaders Award for her commitment to global education, impactful service initiatives, and outstanding leadership. “Tilton’s dedication is evident in her outside-the-box ideas, like a carbon-conscious study abroad concept, and her leadership of the Martha Guy Fellows Business for Good Program, supporting first-generation college students,” said Pipes. Tilton’s courses emphasize cultural mindfulness and sustainable business practices on a global scale. Student nominators highlighted a meaningful service initiative in Portugal, where they engaged in nature conservation and built meaningful connections with the community and one another. “Dr. Tilton’s commitment to global education and transformative student experiences has made a lasting impact,” a nominator said.
From left: Martin Meznar, Jacqueline Tilton, David McEvoy & Meredith Pipes.
Global Student Awards
Ella Cooper, Global Citizen Award
Ella Cooper. a senior international business major, earned the Global Citizen Award, recognizing those who embody the distinction between a traveler and a tourist by actively engaging with the international community. Cooper, a 2023 Holland Fellow, was recognized for her deep cultural engagement and dedication to global learning. “She consistently explored beyond the classroom, analyzing local cultural norms, comparing economic factors, and connecting with locals,” said a nominator. “Her commitment continued during her semester in Spain, where she improved her Spanish by speaking to new people daily, volunteered with an NGO supporting the homeless, and joined an intramural football team with peers worldwide. Her enthusiasm for cultural exchange and her reflections on her experiences reveal her true global citizenship.”
From left: Meredith Pipes, Ella Cooper & Caroline Bestler
Alyssa Smith, Faculty-led Most Valuable Participant Award
Senior management major Alyssa Smith earned the Faculty-led Most Valuable Participant Award, which recognizes a student who displays enthusiasm, curiosity, openness to other perspectives, and good-natured flexibility during their experience abroad. Smith’s nominator praised her active engagement in diverse settings—from classrooms and company visits to adventurous activities like climbing Victory Peak—and her dedication to building meaningful connections. “Smith’s reflections on the importance of global perspectives highlight her commitment to understanding humanity’s interconnectedness and promoting a sustainable future,” said Matthias Von Feilitzsch, the 2023 award winner who introduced Smith.
From left: Matthias Von Feilitzsch, Meredith Pipes & Alyssa Smith
Walker Abroad Photo Contest
Business students, faculty and staff shared images from their travels as part of the #Walker Abroad Photo Contest. Four were honored for their photos representing their experiences and highlighting their destinations' culture or natural beauty. Winning photos captured unique moments in Guatemala, New Zealand, Brazil and the United Arab Emirates.
People's Choice Award
Anne Allison, a senior majoring in hospitality and tourism management, won the People’s Choice Award for the image she took in Tikal, Guatemala, during her ARCAS Wildlife Animal Protection internship.
First Place
Senior management student Kinsey Benton earned first place with her image from New Zealand.
Second Place
MBA student Brooke Austin earned second place for her photo of Iguazu Falls, Brazil.
Third Place(Tie)
Austin also earned one of two third-place honors for her photo from Brazil.
Third Place(Tie)
Dr. David MeEvoy, program leader for the United Nations Climate Negotiation course and chair of the Department of Economics, also earned a third-place honor for his photo from the United Arab Emirates.
Learn more about the Walker Abroad Photo Contest, see a list of past International Awards Ceremony winners, or view more photos from the 2024 luncheon and the Global Good conference that preceded it.
by Kristen Cheek October 2024
About Sustainable Business at Appalachian
Appalachian’s Walker College of Business is committed to advancing sustainable business practices that promote responsible management of economic, social and natural resources. The theory and practice of sustainable business recognizes that the economy, environment and society (the triple bottom line) are interconnected and interdependent, and strives to enhance the business model so that it can flourish and thrive to benefit future generations. The college offers a sustainable business minor available to business and nonbusiness majors, a bachelor’s degree in environmental economics and policy, and an MBA concentration in sustainable business. The programs focus on student engagement, research and community involvement. For more information, visit https://business.appstate.edu/sustain.
About Walker College of Business International Programs
The Walker College of Business encourages students to study abroad and provides a variety of short-term international programs designed to develop international business skills and intercultural knowledge. These faculty-led programs have proven to be invaluable for many students. Scholarships are available. Fluency in a second language is not required and students can earn credit toward their degree. For more information on future opportunities, contact Global & Civic Engagement Specialist Meredith Church Pipes, churchmm@appstate.edu, or visit international.business.appstate.edu.
Meznar & Pipes present international awards at Global Good luncheon.
Meznar & Pipes present international awards at Global Good luncheon.