In a spirit of reflection and gratitude, each year the II recognizes employees who have made an extraordinary effort in advancing our mission. With funding cuts and changing federal priorities and policies, this year has been especially difficult for global education, but with unprecedented challenges, the innovative passion among the II staff shined even brighter.
Awards were presented in the following categories: Outstanding New Staff, Outstanding Innovator, Outstanding Public Engagement, One II, and a group award for an exceptional team.
Nominated by Chris Jensen, Natasa Gruden-Alajbegovic, and Steve Ratner, Wes Wright, academic program specialist of the Donia Human Rights Center, won the Outstanding New Staff Award. This award is given to someone who has joined the team within the past three years and has already demonstrated an outstanding work ethic, a positive attitude, and a dedication to the II’s mission and core values. Having joined the II in 2024, Wes is known for his collaborative nature, willingness to take initiative, and his friendly demeanor - seeking out connections with the staff, students, and faculty who call Weiser Hall home.
The Outstanding Innovator Award recognizes a staff member who has demonstrated exceptional creativity. This year, Ann Takata, was honored for her readiness to adapt and better meet the rapidly evolving needs of staff and students. In the words of nominator, Kari Conley, "Ann has been here for many years, and I think that can sometimes lead to people being stuck in their old way of doing things. But contrary to that stereotype, I have been pleased to see Ann stepping outside of her comfort zone, taking constructive feedback when given, and innovating to meet the needs of her team and the II." Ann was lauded as well for her ingenuity in “constantly reimagining processes and procedures to respond to changing requirements and directives.”
The award for Outstanding Public Engagement was presented to Gitta Kohler, the international education manager with the Weiser Center for Europe and Eurasia. Each year, the award goes to a staff member who embodies the pillar of engagement in the International Institute’s mission. Bill Bryan and WCEE acting director Doug Northrop nominated Gita for the award, singling her out for her efforts to broaden students’ academic and professional horizons, and strengthen the university’s connections with diverse communities and institutions abroad. Serving also as the center’s primary contact for visiting fellows and scholars, she excels at welcoming and introducing them to Ann Arbor and the university, and making sure they are comfortable and establishing connections with new colleagues.
The One II Award “honors an individual who exhibits actions that are emblematic of the idea that the II is greater than the sum of its parts through consistent partnership and collaboration across centers and II teams.” The II staff member who best exemplified these principles this year was Bill Bryan, business manager of the Europe, Eurasia, and Emerging Democracies centers. Nominated by Gosia Kowalczyk, Derek Groom, and Liz Malinkin, Bill was praised for creating “a positive atmosphere with an explicit goal of learning from each other (across not just the II, but also across campus),” and for “encouraging us to check out other events/organizations and think about what we could do better or differently. This is beneficial to the ‘One II’ mentality because it motivates staff to think bigger; we are representing something larger than our own particular center.”
The II Team Award honors a team that has made contributions to the II by working together collaboratively to advance the goals and mission of the institute. In her nomination of the East Asia Outreach Team, Jennifer Lund highlighted their exemplary coordination in organizing a professional development workshop for K-12 teachers: "Connecting Family and the World: Using East Asian Children's Stories in the Classroom." This workshop impacted 18 educators from multiple subject areas and grade levels, with East Asia Outreach Team members taking turns leading activities with books and materials that teachers could take and use in their classrooms. The team consists of outreach coordinators Minyoung Song, Nam Center for Korean Studies; Sara Chittenden, Center for Japanese Studies; and Carol Stepanchuk, Lieberthal-Rogel Center for Chinese Studies.
Outgoing interim director of the International Institute, Johannes von Moltke, was also recognized with an II Distinguished Leadership Award for his steadfast guidance over the past 18 months, during which he provided calm and stable leadership and helped the II to weather the vicissitudes of federal funding.
