International Programs, in partnership with the Graduate College, Graduate and Professional Student Government, and the Tippie College of Business, held an award ceremony on Friday, May 1, to celebrate the achievements of international students at the University of Iowa. Students, faculty, and staff gathered to honor the contributions of the university’s global community.
Shuhui Lin, international education program and student affairs advisor in International Student and Scholar Services, emphasized the importance of creating a space where international students feel heard and recognized for their achievements at Iowa.
“The contributions of our international students and scholars are invaluable, and we delight in showcasing these stories of success and perseverance.”
“This celebration highlights the talent, dedication, and impact of our international students and underscores how much they contribute to the Iowa community,” Lin said. “Their perspectives and experiences enrich our campus in so many ways, and we’re proud to recognize their successes and the impact they have on our community.”
Russ Ganim, associate provost and dean of International Programs, echoed this sentiment.
“Celebrating international students’ successes also acknowledges the persistence it takes to thrive while navigating new academic expectations, distance from home, cultural and language adjustment, financial and immigration pressures, and the everyday challenges of building a life in a new place,” Ganim said. “The contributions of our international students and scholars are invaluable, and we delight in showcasing these stories of success and perseverance.”
Eva Singh, an undergraduate student studying computer science and engineering, and one of this year’s award recipients, said being recognized for her academic achievements at Iowa has motivated her to continue working toward her goals.
“There are so many moments in college where you quietly put in effort and hope it matters, so being recognized in this way felt incredibly meaningful,” Singh said. “More than anything, it reminded me how much the University of Iowa community has supported me, and it motivated me even more to continue giving back.”
Many of this year’s awardees trace their achievements to their time at Iowa. Taeuk Kang, a PhD candidate from South Korea, shared how Iowa has prepared him for the future.
“The College of Public Health, University of Iowa Health Care, and the State Hygienic Laboratory have prepared me not just as a textbook epidemiologist but as an interdisciplinary epidemiologist who can integrate different fields in response to emerging and dynamic public health challenges,” Kang said. “For me, Iowa is a place where I can focus deeply and calmly on my academics.”
International students at Iowa continued their academic work this year despite concerns about student visa policies and distance from their families.
Another award recipient, Shri Vishalini Rajaram, a PhD candidate from India, shared how she overcame challenges by relying on university resources and support.
“The biggest lesson I learned is that resilience is not about carrying everything alone,” Rajaram said. “Reaching out to mentors, friends, university resources, and professional support helped me stay grounded when things felt difficult. You realize that a place that once felt foreign now feels like part of your life.”
As the academic year ends, events like this honor student achievement and highlight the University of Iowa’s commitment to international exchange and support for international students.
“Being an international student at Iowa has been a journey of learning how to build a life from the ground up, one routine, one relationship, and one experience at a time,” Rajaram said.
2026 International Student Award recipients
Cultural Bridge-Building Award
Cynthia Okafor: “As someone from a different cultural background, I can personally attest that Cynthia’s bridge-building is rooted in genuine curiosity, empathy, and a deep belief that communities are stronger together,” said nominator Wade Summers. “She does not simply attend multicultural events; she creates them, leads them, and ensures that every participant leaves more connected than when they arrived.”
Zhuolun Li: “Zhuolun Li embodies the spirit of the Cultural Bridge-Building Award,” said nominator Zhiyue An. “His work reflects a deep commitment to fostering understanding across cultures, and his influence continues to strengthen the University of Iowa as a globally engaged and inclusive community.”
Maria Jose Blanco Arias: “Through my work with International Student Ambassadors (ISA), the International Student Advisory Board (ISAB), and Hawk The Vote, I strive to create meaningful opportunities for dialogue, engagement, and mutual understanding among students from diverse backgrounds,” Blanco Arias said.
Programming/Initiatives Award
Soheil Hosseini: "The Generative Models Forensics Lab is a grassroots initiative I co-founded at the University of Iowa to bridge the gap between advanced AI research and undergraduate mentorship,” Hosseini said. “This initiative demonstrates that international student success includes creating inclusive programming that empowers the next generation of researchers while fostering a deeper sense of belonging within the University of Iowa community.”
Wellness Advocate Award
Yang Zhou: “As an instructor for multiple group fitness classes at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center, Yang consistently brings high energy, a positive attitude, and strong instructional skills to every class,” said nominator Shuhui Lin. “His sessions are engaging and welcoming while maintaining the level of intensity participants seek, creating an environment that supports both physical and mental wellness. Beyond the workouts, Yang’s impact extends to the broader campus community, particularly among international students and staff, who are well represented in his classes.”
Rising Star Award
Taeuk Kang: “In under two years, Taeuk has collaborated with multiple investigators and submitted 10 manuscripts to peer-reviewed journals,” said nominator Michael Pentella. “Five manuscripts have been published, spanning infectious disease epidemiology, emergency medicine, and public health. He secured the Great Plains Center for Agricultural Health Pilot Grant ($30,000) as principal investigator, a significant accomplishment for a doctoral student.”
Karan Grewal: “Karan joined the International Student Advisory Board (ISAB) in fall 2025 and was immediately appointed international constituency senator by the ISAB Undergraduate Board,” said nominator Shuhui Lin. “Since stepping into these roles, he has made significant contributions to both organizations and the broader campus community. Karan actively participates in the Governmental Support Group, attending monthly meetings to stay informed on the evolving immigration landscape and share updates with peers. He has also taken part in numerous advocacy efforts, including supporting initiatives to explore earlier registration options for international students and partnering with Tippie Senate to provide calculators that increase academic access and reduce costs.”
Campus Leadership Award
Shri Vishalini Rajaram: “Through numerous organizations and leadership roles, she consistently demonstrates initiative, empathy, and strategic insight,” said nominator Ann Lawler. “Vishalini’s involvement includes chair of the Human Toxicology Student Advisory Committee, treasurer and former president of Connecting Science to Society, Jakobsen Graduate Research Showcase Committee and the Graduate Student Senate, the Student Organization Advisory Board, the Outstanding Mentor Award Review Committee, and the P2P Program.”
Eva Singh: “Eva plays an outstanding leadership role not only within the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), but across the broader campus community,” said nominator Lydia Pauley. “She oversees the First-Year Council, three executive chairs, and several high-impact initiatives, including the first-ever Make-A-Thon with ASME and Women’s Networking Night, hosting 11 engineering companies. She also served as an iPeer mentor, an international student ambassador, and director of technology for the South Asian Student Alliance.”
Academics Award
Camila Núñez-Bergsneider: “I presented research in literature and comics studies at conferences in multiple countries,” Núñez-Bergsneider said. “In October 2025, I was invited by Professor Yuri Sakata from Ritsumeikan University in Osaka to give a lecture titled ‘Representation and Reflections on Socio-Political Struggles in Latin American Literature.’ Other achievements include designing the course Writing and Writers from Latin America, Comics, as well as earning two fellowships and the Judith Liskin-Gasparro Outstanding Spanish TA Award.”
Eva Singh: “I have been named to the dean’s list in 2024 and 2025, in addition to receiving the UI International Distinction in Education Award,” Singh said. “I interned with Musco Sports Lighting and was invited to continue part-time. As a web intern for the College of Engineering, I have designed and developed more than 20 websites from scratch. As a research assistant, I designed and trained a Wasserstein generative adversarial network to model complex two-dimensional data distributions and presented this work at the Fall Undergraduate Research Festival.”
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.