Team members from the Global and Continuing Education (GCE) Division from Valencia College attended the National Association of Foreign Student Advisors (NAFSA) national conference in June 2022 in Denver, Colorado. During the event, Valencia College was recognized with an award by the United States Department of Commerce for our contributions in exporting and expanding educational services throughout the globe. The award was presented by Arun Venkataraman, the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Global Markets and the Director General of the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service. Lisa Eli, Vice President of the GCE Division and Talia Popovski, Senior Director, International Student Services, accepted the award on behalf of the college. 

Valencia College was nominated for the award by Mindi Hertzog, Senior International Trade Specialist, who services the Central Florida region. In her nomination she highlighted the following about Valencia College:

• Hosts 1,314 international students.
• Ranks 7^th in the U.S. for hosting international students at a community college.
• The college educates students from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds including a 40% Hispanic population.
• Has 176 agreements with agents from around the world.
• Valencia College has 43 active partnerships with foreign universities.
• Since fall 2020, international students can take courses online from their home country. Students have begun earning their Associate degrees without leaving their home countries.
• Valencia College has one of the largest populations of Brazilian students at a U.S. college or university.
• In the past few years, Valencia College has hosted visitors on-campus from U.S. State department programs including the Community College Initiative Program (CCIP), Community College Administrators Program (CCAP), International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP), Humphrey Fellows, and a Fulbright Scholar.

It is very meaningful to be recognized for our international education contributions. Our staff have worked hard to increase our international student population and to enhance the global learning environment at Valencia College.