Every year, study abroad program faculty are presented awards to recognize their hard work and contributions to education abroad at JMU. Nominations are accepted on an annual basis in August and early September, with the recipients announced at the Fall Directors Meeting.

Nominations are currently open for eligible program directors who led programs during Fall 2023, Winter 2024, Spring 2024, or Summer 2024. Nomination deadline is Tuesday, September 10.

Submit a nomination

We are accepting nominations for the following awards:

The Anaza Benjamin Distinguished Director of the Year
This award is given to a study abroad program director who embodies what it means to put their heart and soul into their education abroad programming. This director provides a high level of student support and mentorship, models resiliency amidst adversity, and shows their passion for study abroad programming by going above and beyond basic director responsibilities. This prestigious award is named in honor of Dr. Emeka Anaza and Dr. Tatiana Benjamin, two program directors who passed away unexpectedly during the 2022-2023 academic year.

Catalyst for Transformation Award: Celebrating High-Impact Study Abroad Programs
This award goes to a study abroad program director who designs and successfully executes a program with a high level of experiential and engaged learning. The program could include field work, volunteer work, research components, internship opportunities, or other examples of hands-on work-based learning experiences in an applied setting.

The ECHO Award: Enhancing Community though Holistic Opportunities
This award is given to a study abroad program director who creates a program to go beyond the idea of just a classroom in context, and embraces a classroom within community approach to their program. This program director has identified outcomes and learning opportunities meant to create connections between student program participants and the community members with which the program engages to create a positive and lasting impact transcending identities and borders.

The study abroad cycle has important dates and deadlines - some are highlighted on this page. For a comprehensive timeline of all dates and deadlines, please see the links below: 

Please mark your calendars for the events below. All program directors and co-directors are required to attend the Directors Meetings; other events are strongly encouraged. Exact times are subject to change.

Fall Directors Meeting | September 13, 2024 - 12:00-3:00PM

Study Abroad Fair | September 26, 2024 - 10:00AM-4:00PM

Pre-Departure Orientation Spring Semester | October 11, 2024 - 2:30-4:00PM

Pre-Departure Orientation Winter | November 20, 2024 - 5:00-6:30PM

Spring Directors Meeting | January 24, 2025 - 12:00-3:00PM

Taste of Study Abroad | February 5, 2025 - 5:00-6:30PM

Pre-Departure Orientation Spring Break, Summer, and Fall | February 28, 2025 - 2:00-4:00PM

Programs Offered for the First Time: Assistance in developing program proposals is available from the CGE staff. Draft proposals are welcome, and the Director of Study Abroad will provide feedback and suggestions, especially in regard to logistics, academic requirements, etc.

Programs Offered Annually or Biannually: Faculty who direct programs regularly or who have directed programs in the past are required to submit all materials each year. Programs may change in content from year to year, therefore, factors such as costs, locations, size of student group, etc. cannot be assumed to be the same as the year before. Please read for updates to CGE, financial, and university policies. All courses will be confirmed by the department chairs prior to final approval by CGE.

Please note student application deadlines above. After the first student application deadline, applications are accepted and processed on a rolling basis until November 14 (Winter Session), January 26 (Spring Break), March 1 (summer), or until program is full, whichever comes first. No admissions after the aforementioned dates.

Sustainable Development Goals: We encourage all program directors to craft their programs in a way that aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals. The Advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Through Education Abroad publication produced by the Forum on Educaiton Abroad is a great resource for learning more. More information. 

Course approval process: You will be sent electronic course approval forms to complete from the CGE in September. Please note that different academic departments may require internal deadlines and / or have alternate procedures in addition to the Study Abroad Course Approval process. Please consult your departments to understand their guidelines.

Transfer students: Transfer students will be assessed using their transcript from their previous college/university (we use this process for non-JMU students).