Global Engagement Award recognizes efforts to welcome international scholars
KALAMAZOO, Mich.— Western Michigan University is celebrating two individuals whose work has advanced the University’s global engagement mission. Dr. Pnina Ari-Gur, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, and Chef Andrew Francisco, associate director of culinary operations, are recipients of WMU’s Global Engagement Award, recognizing faculty and staff who have enriched WMU’s global presence through research, education and cultural exchange.
Ari-Gur and Francisco will be honored at the Fall Awards Celebration on Friday, Oct. 3, alongside recipients of other prestigious campuswide awards, including the Distinguished Service, Distinguished Teaching, Distinguished Faculty Scholar, Emerging Scholar, Excellence in Diversity and annual Make a Difference awards. The event begins at 11 a.m. in Kirsch Auditorium of the Fetzer Center.
“This year’s Global Engagement Award winners represent the best of WMU,” says Dr. Rosemary Max, associate vice president of WMU’s Haenicke Institute for Global Education.
“Dr. Pnina Ari-Gur and Chef Andrew Francisco are committed to the work of making people from faraway places feel at home in Kalamazoo and on Western’s campus. Their dedication and courage is a reminder to us all that making international students and scholars feel welcome and supported here is the purest form of global engagement.”
Dr. Pnina Ari-Gur
Ari-Gur’s career is a testament to the power of international collaboration in advancing science and education. As director of WMU’s Laboratory of Smart and Advanced Materials, she has led research in nanomaterials and smart materials technologies, earning global recognition. Her work has taken her to countries such as Russia, Finland, New Zealand, Uzbekistan, Israel and Brazil, where she has shared her expertise and built academic partnerships.
Through her research grants, Ari-Gur has enabled students to gain international experience, presenting their work abroad and winning prestigious competitions. Her lab has hosted Fulbright scholars and international researchers, creating a vibrant, multicultural learning environment. Alumni from around the world credit her mentorship and global perspective for shaping their careers.
Beyond the lab, Ari-Gur co-founded WMU’s chapter of Engineers Without Borders and chaired the Faculty Senate International Education Council, spearheading initiatives that broadened global engagement across campus.
Chef Andrew Francisco
Francisco, B.S. 14, brings a unique flavor to global engagement at WMU. His passion for international cuisine and student engagement has transformed campus dining into a cultural experience. As executive chef and associate director of culinary operations, he leads a team that serves over 5,000 meals daily in the dining halls. This diverse team includes directors, management, sous chefs, administrators, stock workers, front- line staff, student employees and WMU appliance repair technicians who focus on quality, variety, innovation, training at all levels, resource utilization, safety and sustainability.
A formally trained chef, Francisco spent the past five years exploring global food traditions, integrating international flavors into menus and promoting sustainability and innovation in institutional food service. His work fosters inclusivity and cultural appreciation, making dining a platform for global learning.
Both personally and professionally, Francisco emphasizes the importance of growth, lifelong learning and creativity.
About the Haenicke Institute for Global Education
The Diether H. Haenicke Institute for Global Education, established in 1998, fosters an environment that supports the global engagement of the Western community. Its offices assist nearly 2,500 international students and alumni at home and abroad with immigration, student success and post-graduation job training.
The institute also facilitates short- and long-term study abroad programs for students, faculty and staff. It hosts a variety of global learning activities, such as designing and promoting scholarship and academic opportunities on campus; providing K-12 outreach; hosting lectures, panels and events; and showcasing arts, entertainment and culture from around the world. Learn more about the Haenicke Institute for Global Education.
For more WMU news, arts and events, visit WMU News online.