On Wednesday, November 19, 2025, the Center for International Education hosted its fourth annual International Advocate Recognition Ceremony, celebrating the outstanding contributions of UWM faculty and staff who make a difference in the lives of international students and study abroad participants.
This year, 47 faculty and staff members were recognized based on nominations from UWM students, who highlighted individuals that provided exceptional support and guidance. In addition, three CIE units — Study Abroad, International Admissions, and International Student & Scholar Services — nominated six advocates whose international work is vital, even though their roles are less student-facing.
Congratulations to all of this year’s honorees; your dedication ensures that UWM remains a truly global campus.
2025 International Advocate Award Recipients:
- Pelumi Adewumi
- Anita Alkhas
- Hanaa Alqam
- Alexander Arnold
- Morgan Baranczyk
- Sharity Bassett
- Amit Bhatnagar
- Jill Budny
- Andrew Cuneo
- Jen Doll
- Clare Faurote
- Marcus Filippello
- Samantha Girard
- Maria Gleason Maddox
- Matt Halloran
- Amy Harley
- Jamie Harris
- Leslie Harris
- Fang Yao Stephen Hou
- Haroon Jamshed
- Jill Jurena
- Jonathan Kahl
- Mark Keane
- Odai Khasawneh
- Allyson Killian
- Andrew Kincaid
- Masako Lackey
- Itziar Lazkano
- Kathy Litzau
- Michael Madouse
- Victoria Moerchen
- Dean Nardelli
- Kate Negri
- Aimee Orndorf
- Erin Parcell
- Christopher Parks
- Krishna Pillai
- Dana Riesterer
- Connor Sampson
- Rebecca Shumway
- Natasha Sugiyama
- Melissa Tesch*
- Cathy Trimborn
- Kalia Vang
- Jarett Wilcoxen
- Christine Wolf
- Jian Zhao