Dilnoza Khasilova, a University of Wyoming Global Engagement Fellow recently received an international volunteer service award from NAFSA: Association of International Educators, according to a release by the university.

Khasilova received the award earlier this month at the association’s Region II conference in Flagstaff, Arizona.

The International Volunteer of the Year Award is presented annually to a community volunteer whose work with international programs and activities merits special recognition.

Recipients may include those whose efforts were responsible for the creation of permanent community or institutional programs, improved community awareness of international cultures, or some other equally meritorious contribution to international exchange.

Khasilova is a UW graduate who earned her doctoral degree in literacy studies and is known within the UW community for her outstanding participation in international education. She received the award for her continued work through UW’s World Language and Culture Program (WLCP) which she founded in 2013.

Khasilova told Laramie Live, "I am honored to receive that award because it shows how important such work is within international education. This award acknowledges volunteers and it motivates me to do beyond and to celebrate diversity and internationalization."

The WLCP program is a volunteer and service-learning program that offers free world language and culture sessions to members of the UW community and to those interested throughout the state.

The program was launched in 2014 with the help of both UW’s local and international communities, including UW’s graduate students, faculty, staff, and undergraduate exchange students who volunteered to teach their target languages and cultures. This semester, 19 nonformal world language and culture sessions were offered.

NAFSA promotes the exchange of students and scholars to and from the U.S. The association provides a statement of ethical principles and provides professional education and training that strengthen institutional programs and services related to international educational exchange.

The association is organized into 11 geographic regions. Region II consists of Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming.

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