Educator of the Year
Each year, the World Affairs Council of Washington, DC selects as its Educator of the Year a DC area educator who has demonstrated outstanding dedication to teaching with a global perspective. The Educator of the Year receives the Leonard H. Marks Award for Excellence in International Education – a $1,000 grant designed to advance the study of international affairs in local schools.
The Council is now accepting nominations for the 2014 Educator of the Year Award. Colleagues, students, parents and other community members can recommend a teacher or professor for this award. To nominate someone, please send a letter detailing why he/she is a deserving candidate. The ideal candidate will be a teacher who uses school and community resources to present international topics in a unique and creative manner, and encourages his/her students to be active global citizens. Nominations for the 2014 Educator of the Year Award must be submitted to the Council by August 31, 2013.
The Award is presented at the Council’s Global Education Gala, an annual event that will take place next on March 7, 2013. The Gala serves as a forum to honor the work of teachers, members of our government, the diplomatic corps, business leaders and others for their commitment to educating and engaging citizens in international affairs. For information on how to nominate a teacher, please contact Amanda Stamp at astamp@worldaffairsdc.org.
2012 TEACHER OF THE YEAR: Dr. Sidney Ribeau
Each year the World Affairs Council of Washington, DC honors a deserving educator who has made a unique contribution to efforts expanding international learning opportunities for their students. This year we honor Dr. Sidney Ribeau, President of Howard University in Washington, DC.
Sidney A. Ribeau is the 16th president of Howard University and the sixth African American to serve as its chief executive officer. Since taking office in August 2008, Ribeau has initiated a comprehensive academic renewal for all 170 plus programs; initiated $150 million facilities renewal initiative; improved the University’s infrastructure and business operations; expanded the university's international footprint; solidified its legacy of leadership and service; and enhanced its research capabilities, particularly in the STEM disciplines. Recognizing students as one of Howard University's greatest resources, Ribeau has fostered an environment in which teaching and learning are ongoing priorities.
Before coming to Howard University, Ribeau served as the president of Bowling Green State University (BGSU) in Bowling Green, OH. Over the course of 13 years, he initiated and led a comprehensive campaign that raised more than $180 million to fund a number of capital initiatives, including the construction of a regional campus. The university was also recognized, during his tenure, for its residential learning communities, values-based education, and innovative graduate programs.
Ribeau holds a B.S. degree from Wayne State University, and M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in Interpersonal and Group Communication from the University of Illinois, Urbana–Champaign. In 1976, he joined the California State University Los Angeles faculty as a professor of communication studies. He received accolades as an outstanding instructor and student adviser, and, in 1984, he was named the chair of the university's Pan African Studies Department—a position that he held until 1987 when he was named dean of Undergraduate Studies on the university's San Bernardino campus. Three years later, Ribeau was appointed dean of the College of Liberal Arts at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo campus, and, in 1992, he was named vice president for Academic Affairs on the university's Pomona campus.
He currently serves on the board of directors for a number of organizations, including the Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association–College Retirement Equities Fund, the Council for International Exchange of Scholars, Worthington Industries, the Association of Governing Boards, the Association of American Colleges and Universities, and the Consortium of University Presidents. He has received distinguished alumnus awards from Wayne State University and the University of Illinois; scholarly recognition from the National Communication Association; and the President's Award from the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators.
