The University of Notre Dame was selected to receive the 2025 Senator Paul Simon Award for Comprehensive Internationalization.
Notre Dame has 12 global locations, 92 study abroad programs and active research projects in 67 countries. It was one of five universities to receive the award this year.
“At Notre Dame, our global engagement strengthens our research programs, prepares our students to be capable and compassionate leaders and enhances our Catholic mission,” said Rev. Robert Dowd, university president, in a press release. “Since its founding, Notre Dame has been committed to being a great force for good in the world.”
Notre Dame Global leads the university’s internationalization efforts. Key aspects include fostering an inclusive global community throughout campus, integrative learning experiences, collaborative global research and equitable international partnerships.
Michael Pippenger, vice president and associate provost for internationalization, said the award is a testament to the time, talent and energy contributed by colleagues on campus and across Notre Dame’s global network.
“This work will continue to propel the university into becoming an ever more global institution, and reinforce our shared belief that at Notre Dame, everyone has a role to play in creating a welcoming community that allows all to flourish,” Pippenger said.
From 1998 to 2023, Notre Dame increased its percentage of international students in the first-year class from 1% to 8%. The university announced its Pathways to Notre Dame program last fall. The program expands Notre Dame’s need-blind policy to include both domestic and international students.
The university also received national recognition for its commitment to internationalization and global education from the Institute of International Education. For the 2022-23 academic year, study abroad participation among Notre Dame undergraduates increased by more than 10% from the previous year.
Recipients of the 2025 Senator Paul Simon Award for Comprehensive Internationalization will be honored during NAFSA’s annual conference this spring. NAFSA is a nonprofit association dedicated to international education and exchange.
