Excellence in International Engagement, 2022
Languages, Literatures, & Cultures
International engagement is the common thread that links Lina Lee’s research, teaching and service — and she has truly done it all in her distinguished career.
She is the founder and frequent director of UNH managed study abroad programs in Spain, Mexico, Costa Rica and Cuba, and regularly teaches courses and seminars for undergraduate students and professionals in the U.S. and beyond. She also coordinates projects involving online intercultural exchanges, which have provided countless students in Spain, Latin America and at UNH with opportunities to discuss global issues with native speakers.
Lee always strives to involve students in activities working with local communities and she often uses data collected from cross-cultural exchange projects to publish refereed articles in top-ranked international language learning and technology journals.
Her colleagues at partner institutions provide glowing testaments to her success — one remarked that, “Lina demonstrates the qualities that I look for in a professor that promotes study abroad and internationalism: passion for the Spanish language, enthusiastic engagement with students and a firm commitment to internationalization.”
Another colleague stated that “faculty members and staff at the Instituto San Joaquín truly enjoy working with UNH students. Most importantly, students love the program and trust professor Lee. I must say that it has been an amazing professional experience for me to collaborate with professor Lee on designing each piece of the program, including cultural activities and trips around Costa Rica.”
About this Award
This award recognizes exceptional international engagement by a current UNH faculty member. Nominees should have a well-established and ongoing record of international education and/or research while on the UNH faculty. Such activities should include several of the following: directing UNH managed programs abroad, individual research, collaborative research with international partners, exchange teaching, encouraging and supporting student involvement in international research (e.g., IROP), evidence of global perspectives within curriculum, service on international boards and task forces, consulting and/or publications/performances. UNH benefits-eligible faculty members are eligible, except recipients within the last five years. This award is supported by the Global Education Center.
