Luther College Earns Prestigious Award for Global Learning Initiatives

It's your town. Your lives. Your stories. Make sure someone's telling them—donate to Decorah News now. DECORAH — Luther College was awarded the 2026 Senator Paul Simon Award for Comprehensive Internationalization from NAFSA: Association of International Educators. Named after the late Senator Paul Simon of Illinois, the award recognizes excellence in integrating international education throughout all facets of university and college campuses. "From our beginnings in 1861 as the oldest U.S. college founded by Norwegian immigrants, Luther has nurtured and sustained its commitment to global education. Our programs, partnerships and curriculum exemplify comprehensive international engagement and we are proud to be recognized with this award," Luther College President Brad Chamberlain said. "Our internationalization isn't just reflected in our student body with students from over 70 countries, but also in the robust global opportunities we provide for all students. Luther consistently ranks among the top baccalaureate institutions in the U.S. for the percentage of students who study away. At Luther, intercultural learning is central to our mission of preparing students to lead with curiosity, compassion and cross-cultural understanding." Only five U.S. universities and colleges were selected to receive the Senator Paul Simon Award for Comprehensive Internationalization this year. Another three institutions received the 2026 Senator Paul Simon Spotlight Award recognizing specific programs or initiatives that contribute to internationalization on campus. "We are pleased to honor the achievements of eight institutions that have distinguished themselves as standard-bearers in the practice of internationalization," said Fanta Aw, NAFSA executive director and CEO. "Amid a rapidly changing higher education landscape, their demonstrated excellence and innovation in preparing students for a globalized society and workplace provide the field with welcome inspiration." Luther College is the first private college in the state of Iowa to receive this national honor. "It is an enormous honor for Luther College to receive the Simon Award for Comprehensive Internationalization," said Luther College's Center for Global Learning Director Victoria Christman. "The honor is even more striking because it almost always goes to large universities rather than small liberal arts colleges. But the award rightly recognizes decades of intentional international engagement on the part of Luther College, and the success of Luther in embedding that internationalization throughout the curriculum and the student experience." The Senator Paul Simon Award for Comprehensive Internationalization affirms Luther's long-standing commitment to making global education accessible, innovative and impactful for a diverse cross-section of students and faculty. Nearly 80% of Luther students study abroad before graduation. Between 30 and 40 faculty and staff lead study away programs each year, representing an average of 25 to 30 academic departments. To encourage participation and access for domestic and international students, Luther provides $250,000 annually in need-based scholarship support for study abroad educational opportunities. "Luther has worked hard to make those experiences accessible and impactful for our students and the communities abroad with whom they interact," Christman said. Many of Luther's study abroad programs are built on long-term, sustained partnerships with university partners and community organizations. For example, Luther has partnered with the University of Nottingham in England for more than 50 years and the University of Malta for more than 40 years. Since 2017, Luther has partnered with local schools, a clinic and an environmental non-governmental organization in Roatan, Honduras. In Nepal, students work with a Luther alumnus, who runs a biomedical research center in Kathmandu. They engage in language teaching and learning with local school children, and visit families of current Nepali Luther students. "When students return to campus, they find a community enriched not only by their own travel, but by the international students among us here. Exchanges such as these, in both directions, help prepare all of our students for lives of global awareness, engagement and impact," Christman said. To support international students, Luther promotes a positive campus experience through a spectrum of programming. This award affirms these efforts, said Stacy Soderstrom, director of international and transfer admissions at Luther College. "Founded by immigrants, Luther has long been shaped by global perspectives, and that legacy continues today through our commitment to international student recruitment and support. Luther is proud to be home to more than 200 international students from 70 countries, helping to foster a vibrant and globally engaged campus community," Soderstrom said. "It is an honor for Luther to be selected for the 2026 Simon Award, and I am so proud to have contributed to this initiative. This award affirms the dedication of our faculty and staff in cultivating intellectual curiosity, valuing diverse perspectives and leaning into the spirit of cultural exchange that enriches both Luther and the wider Decorah community." Your weekly dose of local life! Subscribe to the free newsletter and enjoy news, analysis, and stories you'll actually look forward to reading.