Katherine Lyu, who will graduate from the University of Iowa (UI) with a BA in English and creative writing, received a 2024 UI Student Employee of the Year Award and a Tom Rocklin Meet the Challenge Award: Engage.  Lyu has served as the International Student and Scholar (ISSS) peer assistant for the last two years.

The Student Employee of the Year Award was presented to Lyu by the UI Pomerantz Career Center as part of their Career Impact Awards which recognize and celebrate students, staff, faculty, and business partners who have gone above and beyond to provide Hawkeyes with career resources, guidance, and opportunities in support of career success.

Shuhui Lin, Lyu's ISSS supervisor, who nominated her for this award, highlighted the multiple ways she contributed to ISSS and the international student body.

“Katherine has gone above and beyond in her position in creating new programs, developing social media strategies, formalizing processes, and building a team,” said Lin. “She also actively explored ways that she can help build connections and community within the student staff team."

The Tom Rocklin Meet the Challenge Awards recognize undergraduate students who exemplify the values promoted by The IOWA Challenge (excel, stretch, engage, choose, and serve) through their actions within the UI and surrounding communities.

Lyu also received a Global Student Award in 2023 for her active involvement in promoting international education. International Programs is appreciative of all the hard work, positive role-modeling, and contributions she has made not only to ISSS, but also to the larger University of Iowa community.

International Programs (IP) at the University of Iowa (UI) is committed to enriching the global experience of UI students, faculty, staff, and the general public by leading efforts to promote internationally oriented teaching, research, creative work, and community engagement.  IP provides support for international students and scholars, administers scholarships and assistance for students who study, intern, or do research abroad, and provides funding opportunities and grant-writing assistance for faculty engaged in international research. IP shares their stories through various media, and by hosting multiple public engagement activities each year.