November 16, 2015
The 2015 International Innovative Educator of the Year Award will be awarded to Comite Paraguay Kansas
The Office of International Programs will present the 2015 Innovative Educator of the Year Award to Comite Paraguay Kansas, or CPK. This award recognizes an external organization that goes above and beyond promoting international opportunities for globalizing our university and student body. The Comite Paraguay Kansas will be recognized at the 2015 International Educator of the Year Award Ceremony from 4-5:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, in the Alumni Center.
Comite Paraguay Kansas leadership has worked for many years to promote our university in the country of Paraguay. They have assisted K-State in increasing our Paraguayan student population from 12 students in the fall of 2010 to 65 this fall.
"The diversity and talent found among this student population are invaluable resources for both the state of Kansas and Kansas State University," said Marcelo Sabates Office of International Programs associate provost.
A private non-profit organization founded in 1968, CPK establishes linkages between individuals and organizations from Paraguay and the state of Kansas with the goal of recruiting Paraguayan students to attend Kansas colleges and universities, as well as promoting volunteer opportunities for in-country development projects and programs.
Comite Paraguay Kansas is part of the international network based in Washington, D.C. called Partners of the Americas whose objective is to promote friendship, communication and understanding between Latin America and the Caribbean and the U.S.
"This award allows our office to publicly acknowledge CPK's efforts for their investment, dedication and assistance in helping students to achieve their goal of studying in the U.S. and at Kansas State University," said Kristin Oberheide, OIP International Recruiting and Admissions Director. "We definitely count them as an important part of our Kansas State family."
Carolina Pedro, Comite Paraguay Kansas board member for 20 years, will be traveling to Manhattan to accept the award. She was in charge of coordinating university linkage and exchange programs, and responsible for additional agreements for K-State's School of Veterinary Medicine that allow students to study at several Paraguay universities. Pedro was elected president of Comite Paraguay Kansas two times; the last was from 2011-2015.