DA Global Access Network is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025 Global IMPACT Awards, honoring outstanding contributions to the expansion of access to global learning, aligning it with student outcomes, and shaping the future of international education as an engine of success and opportunity. These annual awards celebrate the innovative strategies, programs, and leadership that connect global education directly to student and institutional success.
The 2025 awardees were honored at the Global Impact Conference Awards Gala & Dinner in Minneapolis, Minnesota on October 30, 2025. Learn more about the award categories here.
2025 DA Global IMPACT Award Recipients
Institutional & Organizational Awardees
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Outbound Mobility – Global Exchange Fellowship, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
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Global Engagement at Home – Global Up Américas, AFS Intercultural Programs, Inc.
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International Education Employer of the Year – CET Academic Programs
Individual Professional Awardees
- Rising Star: Ethan Trinh, Ph.D., Georgia State University
- Trailblazer: Noelle Baldwin, IES Abroad
- Executive Leader: Rochelle Gilbert, EdD, EMBA, Walden University
- Inclusive Excellence in Teaching: Maureen P.M. Hall, MD, MEd, BSc, Ross University School of Medicine
Student Leader Awardees
- Undergraduate Global Student Leader: Dora Granera, Boston University & IES Abroad Alumni
- Graduate Global Student Leader: Pashouably Vang, University of Minnesota
Global Up Américas – AFS Intercultural Programs
Global Engagement at Home – Organizational Award
Global Up Américas is a virtual exchange program developed by AFS Intercultural Programs, Inc. that delivers meaningful global learning experiences without requiring international travel. Rooted in AFS’s mission to develop active global citizens and expand access to global competence education, the initiative provided local global immersion through expert-designed curricula and facilitated cross-cultural classroom exchanges through the Americas.
This award is such an honor and recognition of Global Up Américas’ transformative impact… It shows how virtual exchange expands worldviews and builds meaningful learning opportunities right at home. Global Up Américas proves that active global citizenship can be fostered anywhere… empowering students to connect and thrive across cultures.”
Global Fellowship Exchange – King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
Outbound Mobility – Organizational Award
As part of KFUPM’s commitment to offering students a distinctive and world-class learning experience, the Global Exchange Fellowship provides a unique opportunity for students to spend an academic semester at top universities around the world. Through this international exposure, KFUPM students not only gain access to diverse academic environments and world-class learning, but also build meaningful connections that link KFUPM’s faculty and students with their peers in leading global institutions. These experiences enable students to learn, collaborate across cultures, and bring back new ideas that enrich our academic community and strengthen KFUPM’s global partnerships.
We are honored to be recognized as a finalist. This recognition affirms our commitment to empowering students through transformative international experiences that build technical excellence and global perspective. Through the Global Exchange Fellowship, KFUPM enables students to strengthen their capabilities and approach problems with a global mindset, preparing them to lead, innovate, and make an impact worldwide. We thank our partners for continuously enabling opportunities and enriching our students’ learning experiences across the globe.
CET Academic Programs
International Education Employer of the Year – Organizational Award
Over the past three years, CET Academic Programs has transformed its workplace culture through intentional, people-centered initiatives focused on inclusion, flexibility, and staff well-being. One of its most celebrated changes—the 30-hour workweek introduced in 2023—reduced hours without reducing pay or benefits, giving staff greater autonomy and balance. Teams used this shift to streamline meetings and processes, resulting in higher productivity and stronger engagement. Through ongoing efforts in recruitment, professional development, and retention, CET has diversified its workforce and strengthened its sense of belonging across global offices. CET’s leadership believes that when staff are supported and empowered to thrive, the organization delivers its best—creating more impactful global learning experiences for students worldwide.
It’s such an honor to receive this recognition from DA Global. We’re very proud of our recent initiatives to make all staff feel valued, included, and supported in their efforts to sustain a healthy work-life balance. Thank you, DA Global, for validating our efforts and inspiring us to keep innovating!
Ethan Trinh, Ph.D.
Rising Star – Individual Award
Dr. Ethan Trinh is an educator, researcher, and community leader redefining humanizing approaches to global education. As Associate Director of the Atlanta Global Studies Center at Georgia State University, they lead programs that expand access to language learning, cross-sector collaboration, and global competence. Dr. Trinh also serves as Managing Director of the Arabic Teachers Council of the South and Founder of Dr. Trinh’s Foundation, which supports rural students in Vietnam through scholarships and educational initiatives. Their scholarship and creative work center love, memory, and belonging in global learning, earning national and international recognition, including the LGBTQ Leaders in Higher Education Award and U.S. State Department’s Mandela Washington Fellowship Reciprocal Exchange honor, and global fundings, such as from Association of International Education Administrators (AIEA)’s Virtual Exchange Symposium. Through relational teaching and community care, Dr. Trinh builds pathways that connect learners across borders and identities—turning education into shared transformation.
I am extremely honored… This shows that my passion for global education is not performative; rather, it is lived. I make a lifetime commitment to continuing to serve, lead, and imagine new futures for international education, with heart, care, and love so that every student, teacher, and faculty, regardless of background, has the opportunity to thrive, learn, and build a space of belonging and understanding together. Thank you, DA Global, again for this prestigious award.
Noelle Baldwin
Trailblazer – Individual Award
Noelle Baldwin serves as Director of Access & Strategic Partnerships at IES Abroad, where she leads the Initiative to Diversify Education Abroad (IDEA). Under her leadership, the Access team has expanded collaborations across higher education, community, and industry sectors—rebuilding participation in global education beyond pre-pandemic levels. A proud University of Miami alumna and study abroad participant in South Africa, Noelle brings deep personal and professional commitment to expanding access. Her leadership and advocacy have earned national recognition, including honors from the PIEoneer Awards and Legacy Magazine’s “40 Under 40 Black Leaders of Miami.” Drawing on her Jamaican heritage and first-generation American experience, she designs programs that empower students to see themselves in global spaces. Through her work, Noelle ensures global education remains a bridge to opportunity, belonging, and lifelong impact.
I am deeply honored… This recognition reflects not only my own work, but also the dedication of peers and partners committed to equity in global education. My efforts to expand inclusive pathways for students align closely with DA Global’s mission and vision of ensuring that global learning opportunities are accessible to all. Representation matters, and I believe every student deserves to see themselves reflected in international experiences. I share this honor with the communities and students who inspire me to keep breaking barriers!
Rochelle Gilbert, Ed.D, EMBA
Executive Leader – Individual Award
Dr. Rochelle Gilbert is a dynamic leader, educator, and coach committed to empowering others through education and innovation. As Associate Vice Provost in the Center for Impact Development at Walden University, she leads initiatives that measure student and graduate success, leadership development, and community engagement. Known for her transparent and collaborative leadership style, Dr. Gilbert inspires growth and excellence across higher education. Her career spans teaching, academic administration, and consultancy, always grounded in a mission to educate, equip, and empower. Often described as a “woman on the move,” she leverages creativity, collaboration, and compassion to elevate others and drive meaningful change. Dr. Gilbert’s dedication to fostering belonging and personal growth continues to shape students and professionals alike—demonstrating what it means to lead with both purpose and heart.
I am humbled to be selected… This honor reflects a shared vision of expanding access to global education and empowering students to create their next chapter. My work is grounded in inclusion, mentorship, and collaboration–values that align with DA Global’s mission to unlock potential and foster belonging across borders. Together, we can elevate personal and professional growth, strengthen global networks, and inspire transformational leadership that ensures all students are prepared to thrive in an interconnected world.
Maureen P.M. Hall, MD, MEd, BSc
Inclusive Excellence in Teaching – Individual Award
Dr. Maureen P. M. Hall, MD, MEd, BSc, is a transformative leader in medical education and student success. At Ross University School of Medicine, she advances academic excellence through evidence-based teaching, metacognitive training, and curriculum reform designed to enhance performance and professional readiness. With nearly two decades of experience, Dr. Hall is recognized for integrating resilience, wellness, and innovation into medical education. Her research and publications focus on medical simulation, lifelong learning, and student well-being. Beyond her scholarship, she champions leadership development and diversity in higher education, previously serving as chair of the Empower Diversity Growth and Excellence (EDGE) network at Adtalem Global Education. Through mentorship and strategic vision, Dr. Hall continues to inspire future physicians to lead with competence, compassion, and purpose in an evolving healthcare landscape.
Dr. Hall, is a transformative leader in medical education and student success. At Ross University School of Medicine, she advances academic excellence through evidence-based teaching, metacognitive training, and curriculum reform designed to enhance performance and professional readiness… She champions leadership development and diversity in higher education, previously serving as chair of the Empower Diversity Growth and Excellence (EDGE) network at Adtalem Global Education… Dr. Hall continues to inspire future physicians to lead with competence, compassion, and purpose in an evolving healthcare landscape.
Dora Granera
Undergraduate Global Student Leader – Student Award
Dora Granera is the Assistant to the Director at the Posse Foundation’s Bay Area site in San Francisco. A recent graduate of Boston University with a degree in International Relations, she has gained global experience through her work with organizations such as the Spanish Commission for Refugee Aid and IES Abroad. Passionate about equity and access, Dora is dedicated to redefining global education for the next generation by expanding opportunities and fostering inclusion across borders.
I am deeply honored… Through my work with the Posse Foundation, CEAR, and IES Abroad, I have witnessed the transformative power of access to international education. This recognition affirms my commitment to advancing equity, cross-cultural understanding, and global opportunities for the next generation of leaders. As Maya Angelou once said, ‘People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.’ For me, global leadership means not only bridging differences, but also empowering open hearts and open minds.
Pashouably Vang
Graduate Global Student Leader – Student Award
Pashouably Vang (Paj Ntshua Nplaim Vaj) is a PhD student in the Comparative and International Development Education program at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, and is also pursuing a certificate in Program Evaluation. In centering the study abroad narratives of Hmong American college students, Pashoua’s dissertation seeks to bring new knowledge to the field of international education. Her research is timely as this year marks 50 years since the resettlement of Hmong refugees to the U.S. following the Secret War in Laos. When she’s not in the classroom, Pashoua is a road warrior representing the University of Minnesota’s Learning Abroad Center in the Northeast region of the U.S. As a higher education professional, Pashoua is committed to improving access to study abroad and advocating for more programs that intentionally foster a sense of belonging for all students.
I believe that study abroad provides a unique opportunity for individuals to create and expand their own understanding of who they are. It is through this deep knowing of who we are that enables each of us to live our best lives guided by purpose so that we can be of service to others. I’m grateful to be celebrated for doing something I love: learning from others and gaining wisdom from their stories… This award is not only a celebration of how far I’ve come, but also a celebration of who I am becoming and my potential as a Hmong scholar.