'Part of Solutions'

'Part of Solutions'

Ohio Wesleyan's Lisa Ho Earns 2024 Award for Advocacy of International Education

DELAWARE, Ohio - Ohio Wesleyan University staff member Lisa Ho is being honored for her work to "advocate the cause of international education within her own institution as well as with the greater community."

OWU's associate director of International and Off-Campus Programs, Ho has earned the 2024 George Hertrich Award for Advocacy from Region VI of NAFSA: Association of International Educators. The award was presented during the organization's fall conference in Cincinnati.

At Ohio Wesleyan, Ho works with students participating in the OWU Connection - the university's signature, curricular program. She advises students studying abroad; assists in administering OWU Connection grants to support students, faculty, and staff pursuing on- and off-campus research; and manages student peer mentors who aid other students as they pursue international education opportunities.

"Lisa is a thoughtful, energetic, and creative advocate for many causes," said Darrell Albon, director of International and Off-Campus Programs. "Guided by a strong sense of social justice and, basically, what is right, Lisa stands up and fights for things to get better. International education is her passion, though, and this is where she continues to have such a great impact.

"On OWU's campus she is everywhere all the time working hard to expand international opportunities for all students and ensuring that the voices of international students are heard," said Albon, who spearheaded her award nomination. "In the local community, she advocates through her work with the Delaware City Sister Cities Board and other bodies for broader community support international exchange. She, in Region VI, has recently established herself as an effective advocate for positive changes in federal policies that directly affect international educational exchange."

Ho's award is named in recognition of George Hertrich, described as "an integral force at Ohio Dominican College for more than 30 years" and "a true advocate of international education and scholarship, knowledge, exchange through technology, and constructive leadership."

"Lisa Ho and George Hertrich would have gotten along so well and been such a great team and gotten so much done if in some way the universe would have allowed them to work together," said Albon, who credits Hertrich with inspiring him to pursue a career in international education.

In addition to Albon, Ho's longtime friend and colleague Sally Leber, director of Ohio Wesleyan's Community Service Learning Center, also supported her award nomination and provided comments to be read when Ho received her award. Leber shared this:

• Some people know and live their values.
• Some have their priorities all sorted out.
• Some are compassionate.
• Some are good listeners.
• Some are quick to lend a helping hand.
• Some are unafraid to advocate, even when it becomes a daunting task.
• Lisa Ho is all of these things - and more - on our campus, in our community, and in her personal life. Lisa strives to be part of solutions.

In addition to her work at Ohio Wesleyan, Ho also volunteers with NAFSA as a member of the World At Large visa advisory committee and the Region VI Advocacy team.

"I was incredibly honored to win the George Hertrich Advocacy Award from NAFSA," Ho said. "Advocacy has always been a part of my work in higher education. From when I arrived at OWU, Chaplain Jon Powers taught me about the importance of civic engagement and 'good trouble' as former Rep. John Lewis would say.

"Then when I stepped into a role in international education," Ho said, "I was ecstatic to find an outlet to continue this work with NAFSA. I stand on the shoulders of those who came before me and am thrilled to continue in the legacy of George Hertrich as an advocate for a more equitable and connected world."

About NAFSA

NAFSA: Association of International Educators is the world's largest nonprofit association dedicated to international education and exchange, working to advance policies and practices that ensure a more interconnected, peaceful world today and for generations to come. NAFSA serves more than 11,000 members and international educators worldwide at more than 4,300 institutions in over 170 countries. Learn more at www.nafsa.org.

About Ohio Wesleyan

Founded in 1842, Ohio Wesleyan University is one of the nation's premier liberal arts universities. Located in Delaware, Ohio, the private university offers more than 70 undergraduate majors and competes in 24 NCAA Division III varsity sports. Through its signature experience, the OWU Connection, Ohio Wesleyan teaches students to understand issues from multiple academic perspectives, volunteer in service to others, build a diverse and global perspective, and translate classroom knowledge into real-world experience through internships, research, and other hands-on learning. Ohio Wesleyan is featured in the book "Colleges That Change Lives" and included on the U.S. News & World Report and Princeton Review "Best Colleges" lists. Connect with OWU expert interview sources at owu.edu/experts or learn more at owu.edu.

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