MACON – NAFSA, the Association of International Educators, has recognized Mercer University’s Julie Strecker with its Hugh M. Jenkins Award for Excellence in Community Programming. NAFSA is the largest professional organization in international education and the Jenkins Award, one of its highest honors, is given to only one person each year from among the group’s large international membership. Strecker is coordinator of international students and scholar services at Mercer and received the award at the annual NAFSA international conference in Houston.
“Julie is the ideal candidate for this national award because she goes beyond the call of duty to connect her international students with domestic Mercer students and other people within the College Hill Corridor community,” said Dr. Eric Spears, director of international programs and studies abroad. “I am very honored to have her as a staff member and colleague.”
Strecker was nominated by her colleagues and was selected among nominees throughout the country for her outstanding leadership and involvement in the community. As coordinator of international students, Strecker has been involved with the design and coordination of the International House, a Mercer living and learning community that engages international and domestic students. She also contributed to International Week at Alexander II Magnet School, an annual event that places Mercer’s international students in different elementary classrooms, allowing the international students to see Macon beyond the campus while they introduce their cultures to youth in the College Hill Corridor. Strecker also contributed her leadership to Café Connections, a weekly event that connects Mercer international and domestic students, and NAFSA Academy, where Strecker mentored new international education professionals in the southeast.
Strecker has also taught ESL/English 108 to non-native speakers and special exchange student sections of UNV 101. Strecker was a 2009 Fulbright recipient in Germany and is currently working towards her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership at Mercer.
About the Award
The Hugh M. Jenkins award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to promoting global understanding and international exchange in the local community. The award specifically honors those who exemplify a spirit of volunteerism and a long-term dedication to international exchange. Recipients of the award are rewarded for their personal involvement with international students in the community in addition to their leadership skills in recruiting, training and recognizing community volunteers.
About Mercer University
Founded in 1833, Mercer University is a dynamic and comprehensive center of undergraduate, graduate and professional education. The University enrolls more than 8,300 students in 11 schools and colleges – liberal arts, law, pharmacy, medicine, business, engineering, education, theology, music, nursing and continuing and professional studies – on major campuses in Macon, Atlanta and Savannah and at four regional academic centers across the state. Mercer is affiliated with four teaching hospitals — Memorial University Medical Center in Savannah, the Medical Center of Central Georgia in Macon, and The Medical Center and St. Francis Hospital in Columbus — and has educational partnerships with Warner Robins Air Logistics Center in Warner Robins and Piedmont Healthcare in Atlanta. The University operates an academic press and a performing arts center in Macon and an engineering research center in Warner Robins. Mercer is the only private university in Georgia to field an NCAA Division I athletic program. www.mercer.edu
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