Four faculty and staff members from UC Davis are being recognized for their outstanding global engagement work with two key awards: the Chancellor’s Award for International Engagement and the Excellence in Teaching for Global Learning Award. These awards recognize the outstanding work of UC Davis faculty and staff in international education, research and service.  

"These faculty and staff are developing solutions for our most pressing global challenges and preparing students to become collaborative and inclusive leaders," said Chancellor Gary S. May. “Their dedication to global learning and engagement enriches our campus community and empowers our students. I am proud of their outstanding efforts and look forward to recognizing and celebrating their achievements.” 

The Chancellor’s Award for International Engagement was created in 2017, and the Excellence in Teaching for Global Learning Award was created in 2019. This year’s awardees bring the total number of recipients to 32. 

2023-24 Chancellor’s Award for International Engagement Recipients  

The Chancellor’s Award for International Engagement recognizes faculty and staff members for outstanding global engagement in advancing the university’s teaching, research, and service missions. The recipients of this year’s awards are Ermias Kebreab and Nicole Rabaud.  

Ermias Kebreab, Ph.D. 

Ermias Kebreab is a professor, Sesnon Endowed Chair in the Department of Animal Science, director of the World Food Center, and associate dean for global engagement in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. He is a globally recognized scholar and expert in sustainable agriculture and animal science. Kebreab has conducted extensive research in developing strategies for using feed additives to reduce methane emissions from livestock. 

Kebreab is deeply committed to delivering real-world impact through collaborative research and has developed extensive global partnerships to address the grand challenges facing our global food systems. He has represented UC Davis abroad, chaired key international advisory groups, and developed and implemented training programs at UC Davis for individuals from more than 27 countries. 

His nominators shared that his “outstanding contributions have been achieved through the numerous highly productive collaborations that he has fostered around the world and on our campus, which have and will continue to provide global educational opportunities for all.” 

Nicole Rabaud, Ph.D. 

Nicole Rabaud is the executive director for student and postdoctoral support in Graduate Studies. She has developed impactful programs and expanded services that support international graduate students and postdoctoral scholars. These programs have helped create a more enriching and inclusive environment that promotes academic success, mitigates stress and creates community and belonging. 

Rabaud’s experience as a first-generation Ph.D. student at UC Davis fueled her passion and informed her professional vision for improving the graduate school experience and developing innovative and supportive programming. She strongly advocates for student mental health and well-being and graduate students of diversity. 

Rabaud’s nominators shared that she “actively looks out for the well-being of international students and post-docs in all spaces, ensuring their unique needs and challenges are not only recognized but also effectively addressed. This commitment extends to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment that goes beyond academic success, considering the holistic well-being of students and their families.” 

2023-24 Excellence in Teaching for Global Learning Award  

The Excellence in Teaching for Global Learning Award recognizes UC Davis instructors of the Academic Senate or Academic Federation who go above and beyond in designing and teaching UC Davis global learning programs. The recipients of this year’s award are Jonathan London and Timothy McNeil.  

Jonathan K London 

Jonathan K London is a professor in the Department of Human Ecology/Community and Regional Development in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. His research focuses on the impacts of environmental hazards on disadvantaged communities and how these communities organize to address these challenges. 

London is a passionate global educator and mentor deeply committed to creating diverse and equitable learning opportunities where communities are the center and focus and students are equal partners. Starting in 2017 and offered three times to date, London has co-developed and co-taught a Quarter Abroad program on Community, Technology and Sustainability in Nepal with Nancy Erbstein (School of Education and Global Affairs) and Hands-On Institute. This inspirational and innovative program focuses on international, intercultural, community-engaged learning and action research in collaboration with Nepali students and young professionals. UC Davis students work in interdisciplinary groups with Nepalese peers on applied research projects that use emerging technologies to focus on community development, health, agriculture and education.  

His nominators shared that this award recognizes “his multifaceted role in exceptional innovation, design and implementation of an educational curriculum and binational immersion program that achieves all that the Global Learning initiative seeks for students (UC Davis and Nepalese students) education and growth, and for the pursuit of meaningful, functional global action.”  

Timothy J. McNeil 

Timothy McNeil is a professor in the Department of Design and Director/Chief Curator of the UC Davis Design Museum in the College of Letters and Science. He is the primary instructor for courses on exhibition design and environmental graphic design. 

McNeil brings the world into his classroom. His teaching and projects encourage global perspectives and connections to the international museum and design communities. Guest speakers from around the world visit his courses remotely and in person. Lectures and discussions include global examples and emphasize international and cultural diversity.  

For over 15 years, McNeil has expanded students’ global perspectives and experiences through his teaching of a Design in Europe study abroad course. As part of the course, students journey through England, Scotland and the Netherlands for an unparalleled insight into countries famous for their design tradition and innovation. 

His nominators shared, "Tim McNeil impacted and transformed both my academic journey and professional career. As both his student and participant in his study abroad program, I've witnessed firsthand his dedication to global studies. Tim not only imparts knowledge but actively involves students in his global research, inspiring us towards meaningful career paths in the creative fields. His teachings challenge us to view design as a force that connects communities and shapes our shared world.” 

International Connections Reception  

Chancellor May will recognize the awardees on March 7 at the ninth annual UC Davis International Connections Reception, hosted by Global Affairs. This event brings together the UC Davis community for an evening of networking and celebration of globally engaged faculty, staff and scholars. Global Affairs will also acknowledge the 2023-24 recipients of Seed Grants for International Activities and Grants for Advancing Sustainable Development Goals and participants in the Global Strategy Advisory Committee and Global Education for All Steering Committee and Fellows. 

“It is so important to recognize the outstanding and transformative work that our faculty and staff are doing to create accessible academic, research and experiential  global engagement opportunities, said Joanna Regulska, vice provost and dean of Global Affairs. 

The International Connections Reception is open to the UC Davis community. If you are interested in attending, please register to attend. 

Register to attend the International Connections Reception on March 7, 2024

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About Global Affairs at UC Davis

Global Affairs brings the world to UC Davis, welcoming more than 10,000 international students, scholars and leaders, and hosting programs that inspire global curiosity, understanding and engagement. Compelled by the valuable outcomes of thinking globally, we make transformative opportunities a reality by supporting the thousands of students and faculty learning and researching globally—and by facilitating collaborations that tackle the world’s most pressing challenges through more than 150 global partnerships.

Putting our vision of a UC Davis community that engages, thrives, and leads in this interconnected world into action, Global Affairs is in pursuit of an ambitious goal: Global Education for All.