Hoyt Purvis Award Recipients Honored by Graduate School and International Education

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From left, 2021 Hoyt Purvis Award recipients are Lisa Wood, Bryan Hill and Gloria Flores Passmore.

Three members of the University of Arkansas community are recipients of the 2021 Hoyt H. Purvis Award for Service in International Education. The award recognizes a university faculty member, a university staff member and Graduate School and International Education staff member for their outstanding service to the field of international education.

Additionally, Patricia R. Koski, dean of the Graduate School and International Education, was recognized with the Hoyt Purvis Commendation for Leadership in International Education. Koski has served as an advocate for international education at the U of A for nearly 30 years. 

"The directors within our international education units chose to honor Dean Koski for her long-standing development, concern, and care for international students," said Curt Rom, associate dean of international education. In presenting the award, Rom noted that Koski has dedicated herself to decades of advocacy and support for international student programming, working to create a community that inspires student belonging, academic success and global awareness.

2021 Hoyt Purvis Award Recipients

Lisa S. Wood  is the university faculty award recipient. Wood serves as the assistant dean for international education in the Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences where she is seen as a strong advocate for both international students coming to the University and domestic students studying abroad.  Wood manages the study abroad programs for Bumpers College, and also develops international service learning programs, including one where students work alongside locals and experts in health, agriculture, culture and education in Belize. 

Koski said, "She is a true partner, collaborator and most importantly, student advocate who creates a safe, supportive and inclusive space for students to explore the world and make sense of themselves in the global environment."

Bryan Hill, associate dean for student success in the College of Engineering, is the university staff member award recipient. Hill has led the international efforts in the College of Engineering and has also been an integral part of several joint efforts with GSIE to bring international students to our campus and to send domestic students abroad.   

Hill began a program that allowed Engineering students to spend a semester abroad without losing degree progress. As a result, the number of engineering students studying abroad grew from an average of eight per year to nearly 50 per year.  

"Dean Hill exemplifies collaboration, leadership and a commitment to the international education community," Koski said. "He has worked within Engineering and across other units to promote international education in a way to benefits students and our University." 

Gloria Flores Passmore, director of the office of sponsored students and special programs, is the Graduate School and International Education staff award recipient. 

"She has been a tireless advocate for international sponsored students and has always been available 24/7 for any student issue, problems or emergencies," Koski said. "A separate unit for sponsored students is unique among our peer international education units and she has developed ours into one that is regionally and nationally recognized."

Flores-Passmore has built strong relationships with sponsors such as the Saudi Cultural Ministry, the Institute for International Education, the SABIC corporation, and other sponsoring organizations. She also developed a strong relationship with the U.S. Fulbright Program and the Fulbright Association and has served as the faculty sponsor for the campus Fulbright Student RSO. 

About the Hoyt H. Purvis Award for Service in International Education: The award was established to honor Purvis, a professor emeritus of journalism and international relations, for his contributions to and advocacy for international education at the University of Arkansas. He was the first recipient of the award which was begun in spring 2016.