Russell Ganim, International Programs, was recognized with the 2022 Michael J. Brody Award. This award recognizes faculty members for their excellence in service to the University of Iowa and the State of Iowa.
Ganim is the associate provost and dean of International Programs and a professor of French in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. He served as inaugural director of the Division of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures from 2011 to 2019, and has chaired multiple departments within the division. He served as vice president, president, and past president of the Faculty Senate from 2017 to 2019. During that time, he promoted a strong working relationship among faculty, administration, and the Board of Regents, State of Iowa; organized a highly successful Big Ten Academic Alliance Shared Governance Conference; worked collaboratively with faculty and campus leaders on the creation of the P3 initiative; and guided approval of the Faculty Senate Statement on Freedom of Expression. He has also served on and led many other influential collegiate and university committees, including the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Faculty Assembly.
“Since coming to the UI, Russ has made equally important service contributions, primarily in faculty governance and in leadership and membership on a large number of UI committees,” remarked Peter Snyder, associate dean for faculty, Carver College of Medicine. “As the faculty senate president that preceded Russ, I had the opportunity to witness these accomplishments first-hand. He was able to accomplish so much because of his ability to be unfailingly calm and gracious in all situations. He brings people together, listens to all viewpoints, and creates consensus around the path forward. He is able to forge trusting relationships by focusing on the best interests of the faculty and the university.”
According to College of Nursing Executive Associate Dean Sandra Daack-Hirsch, Ganim’s extensive and influential service defined him as a servant-leader, who wants to serve first. “Without a doubt, Russ’ servant-leadership was instrumental in fostering and restoring productive relationships between senior administration and the faculty, between the Board of Regents and the faculty, and between the faculty themselves.”
Ana M. Rodríguez-Rodríguez, associate professor in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese, commented on Ganim’s role as the chief internationalization officer on campus. ”In all his different roles during the past 11 years, Russ has always promoted the internationalization of the UI, and his international knowledge and experience have played a key role in making the university well-known in the world and bringing the world to Iowa.”
Reflecting on winning the award, Ganim shared, “My philosophy of service can be summarized by a desire to bolster the structures and processes that benefit the university and its faculty while generating more opportunities for the faculty to showcase their talents and put the institution in the best position to succeed.”
Learn more about Ganim and other faculty and staff award winners.
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.