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2026-27 Global Impact Awards fund multiple global engagement projects
Contact: Nicol Tinsley
VCU Global Education Office
(804) 828-6463
nctinsley@vcu.edu
Richmond, VA (May 8, 2026) —Virginia Commonwealth University’s Global Education Office (GEO) is pleased to announce the 16 recipients of the 2026-2027 Global Impact Awards, grants awarded to VCU faculty and staff designed to support innovative projects that advance global engagement at VCU. Grants of up to $5,000 are given for projects to support the development, strengthening, or expansion of international academic partnerships and global learning opportunities. The awards provide targeted support for faculty and staff to create sustainable, high-impact initiatives that align with VCU’s strategic goals.
Jill Blondin, Ph.D., vice provost for global initiatives, explains the goals and impact of the awards. “The Global Impact Awards help to facilitate faculty and staff's engagement in global initiatives, whether through partnership activities or faculty-led study abroad programs,” she said. “These awards develop opportunities for VCU students and expand the institution's global footprint.”
The Global Impact Awards seek to support initiatives that develop new global learning opportunities, and strengthen international academic partnerships. To diversify VCU’s global engagement, awarded submissions focus on priority regions and partnerships of strategic interest such as Portugal, Vietnam,South Korea and Brazil.
The categories on which the awards are based can include areas such as education abroad which includes short-term programs, faculty-led programs, or domestic study away with a global focus; virtual exchange (COIL) or Collaborative Online International Learning; collaborative research or teaching initiatives; guest lecture instruction (incoming or outgoing); enrollment agreement development or joint exchange program; or conference or workshop collaboration.
Below are the 2026-27 Global Impact Award project leads and their respective focus areas:
- Justin Alexander, School of the Arts, Brazil
- Jimmie Gahagan and Joslyn Bedell, Division of Student Affairs, Portugal
- Katie Gilstrap, School of Business, South Korea
- Lille Crawford, Division of Strategic Enrollment Management and Student Success (SEMSS), Puerto Rico
- Semi Ryu, School of the Arts, South Korea
- Hyojin Im, School of Social Work, Malaysia
- Beth Bukoski, School of Education, Portugal
- Kyeongmo Kim, School of Social Work, South Korea
- Michael Williams, School of Education, Portugal
- Nicole Damico, College of Health Professions, Rwanda
- Peter Jackson, School of Medicine, Uganda
- Laura Battaglia, School of the Arts, India
- Jay Albanese, L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, Portugal
- Renee Lamb, School of the Arts, India
- Elena Olson, School of Business, Portugal
All projects will be completed during the 2026-27 academic school year.