Students in UD’s World Scholars Program begin their undergraduate careers studying abroad at one of five partner universities in Rome, Italy; Madrid, Spain; Athens, Greece; Auckland, New Zealand; or Newcastle, United Kingdom. Pictured are students in Athens during the fall 2025 semester.

National honor for World Scholars

Article by UDaily Staff Photos by Cesar Caro February 10, 2026

UD receives the 2026 Senator Paul Simon Spotlight Award for Campus Internationalization, in recognition of its World Scholars Program

The University of Delaware is in exclusive company, as one of only three universities nationwide to receive a prestigious award that recognizes its commitment to global education.

UD is a 2026 winner of the Senator Paul Simon Spotlight Award for Campus Internationalization, announced Feb. 10 and awarded by NAFSA: Association of International Educators. Specifically, the Spotlight Award recognizes UD’s World Scholars Program as “outstanding and innovative.”

NAFSA is the world’s largest nonprofit association dedicated to international education and exchange, serving more than 10,000 members and international educators globally. For more than two decades, the association’s Simon Awards have celebrated campus internationalization, global education, and particular institutions' commitments to establishing global connections.

First-year students spent the fall 2025 semester in Auckland, New Zealand.

“In 1923, UD pioneered study-abroad programs because we recognized that such experiences offer our students an incredible opportunity for learning and growth, compelling them to confront, navigate and accept different customs, different food, different languages and different norms,” President Laura Carlson said. “The World Scholars Program is a truly innovative example of such an opportunity, and we are grateful to have it recognized as such by the award committee.”

The University’s World Scholars Program, which celebrated its 10th year in 2025, creates a unique pathway to global education experiences for UD undergraduate students. Those admitted to the program begin their undergraduate careers studying abroad at one of five partner universities in Rome, Italy; Madrid, Spain; Athens, Greece; Auckland, New Zealand; or Newcastle, United Kingdom. Students return to the U.S. to complete their first year of study and, as second-year students, reside together in UD’s International House living and learning community. World Scholars complete a second study-abroad experience during their junior year, while incorporating either research, an internship, or a service learning opportunity. The program culminates with their participation in a spring symposium as seniors.

As second-year students, World Scholars reside together in UD’s International House living and learning community.

“Receiving this award reflects the University of Delaware’s deep commitment to international education and builds on our 100-year legacy of leadership and innovation in study abroad programming,” said Vice Provost for Global Engagement Ravi Ammigan. “This accolade also honors our partners — both within the University community and across the globe — who help us prepare our students to thrive globally. Initiatives like the World Scholars Program have a transformative impact on our entire campus, state, and the world."

Since its launch in 2015, the invitation-only program has enrolled about 1,000 students. These Blue Hens have studied indigenous ecotourism in New Zealand, culturally-competent education in Barbados and immigration in Denmark. Back on campus, they’ve connected with peers from across the globe — sharing picnics and presentations, discussing everything from fashion trends to the state of democratic governance around the world.

“The World Scholars Program is a truly innovative example of such an opportunity, and we are grateful to have it recognized as such by the award committee,” said UD President Laura Carlson (second from left), who visited Rome as part of World Scholars’ 10-year anniversary celebration.

For Penelope Velasco, class of 2019, this cross-cultural connection inspired a dedication to community. Following graduation, she joined Delaware’s first cohort of National Health Corp, an AmeriCorp program, where she organized mobile food pantries to help the state’s most vulnerable.

“I feel so lucky to have been a World Scholar,” Velasco said. “I learned tools for empowering and uplifting communities in need. Now, whenever I can, I advocate for the program. I want to keep this legacy alive.”

Since its launch in 2015, the invitation-only program has enrolled about 1,000 students.

Velasco’s experience reflects a broader ethos at the University.

“We are honored to be recognized for continuing UD’s commitment to global engagement and campus internationalization,” said Amy Greenwald Foley, UD’s director of global outreach and partnerships and the founding director of the UD World Scholars Program. “Our global initiatives, including the 10-year-old World Scholars Program, expand opportunities for students to learn across cultures, develop critical perspectives, and succeed in an interconnected world.”

UD is renowned for its commitment to global education, as the first American university to launch a study-abroad program more than 100 years ago. Today, UD awards approximately $1 million annually to support study-abroad scholarships. Three in 10 UD students participate in the University's study-abroad programs, compared to one in 10 nationally.

Three in 10 UD students participate in the University's study-abroad programs, compared to one in 10 nationally.

NAFSA will honor the University of Delaware during the association’s annual conference, to be held May 26-29 in Orlando. The University is joined by The University of Tulsa and Western Kentucky University as recipients of the Simon Spotlight Award. This is UD’s third Simon Award. (The University previously won the NAFSA honor in 2004 and 2015.)

Learn more about the University of Delaware’s World Scholars Program and the NAFSA Senator Paul Simon Awards.