UW’s Khasilova Elected to join NAFSA’s Leadership Committee

The University of Wyoming's Dilnoza Khasilova has been selected to serve on a leadership development committee and has been elected to chair a Teaching, Learning, Scholarship Knowledge Community for NAFSA: Association of International Educators, a worldwide organization that advances international education and exchange and global workforce development.

Khasilova, an assessment/SoTL specialist in the Division of Assessment and Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) in UW's Ellbogen Center for Teaching and Learning, is the incoming chair-elect for NAFSA's Teaching, Learning, Scholarship Knowledge Community (TLS KC) Committee. Her tenure begins in January and the appointment is for three years.

The committee focuses on cross-cultural competence; curriculum internationalization; engaging graduate students, faculty development, intercultural training and learning experiences of students at all levels; and scholarly research aimed at advancing the field.

"I am so honored to take this service role and represent the University of Wyoming and Rocky Mountain region after serving and representing our region for the past three years," Khasilova says. "I am committed to advancing NAFSA's strategic vision by empowering educators with essential knowledge, research-based practices and intercultural competencies."

She says, as chair, her goal is to advance TLS KC's mission of supporting international educators in implementing positive change practices that result in the infusion of international, intercultural and global knowledge into the outcomes of their work at their respective institutions and organizations.

"Such collaborative effort allows us to amplify the impact of international education across our organizations and create more globally minded learning spaces," Khasilova adds.

The 75-year-old organization, headquartered in Washington, D.C., is an association of individuals worldwide advancing international education. NAFSA serves international educators and their institutions and organizations by setting standards of good practice; providing training and professional development opportunities; providing networking opportunities; and advocating for international education.

Khasilova has worked in and developed international and intercultural programming since 2012. She has developed UW's World Language and Culture Program; organized cultural events; co-led an alumni and community tour; launched the WyoGlobal alumni network; and helped coordinate programming connecting exchange scholars and international students with the campus, the local community and beyond.

In the past, she also has coordinated outreach events with local K-12 schools and Laramie County Community College's Albany County campus to raise awareness about world cultures.

Last May, Khasilova received NAFSA's Hugh M. Jenkins Award for Excellence in Community Programming -- the highest honor the organization gives for community programming. It recognizes people who have demonstrated a commitment to promoting global understanding and international exchange in the local community. Specifically, it honors people who exemplify a spirit of volunteerism and a long-term dedication to international exchange.

Khasilova earned both her master's degree in curriculum and instruction and her Ph.D. in education/literacy studies from UW.

Founded in 1948, NAFSA is the world's largest nonprofit association dedicated to international education and exchange. NAFSA serves the needs of more than 10,000 members and international educators worldwide at more than 4,300 institutions in over 170 countries.

For more information about NAFSA, visit www.nafsa.org/.