UF's College of Health & Human Performance Announces 2012 International Educators of the Year

Dec. 3, 2012 - PRLog -- Gainesville, FL --   Dr. Yong Jae Ko (senior faculty) and Dr. Kyriaki “Kiki” Kaplanidou (junior faculty) were recently named as the 2012 College of Health & Human Performance’s International Educators of the Year for their many contributions to the University of Florida’s international efforts.  

Dr. Ko is an Associate Professor in the Department of Tourism, Recreation and Sport Management who focuses his research efforts on service marketing and sport consumer behavior.  He has a history of excellent professional service as he routinely serves on various committees and advisory boards in national and international sport organizations.  Upon selection for this honor, Ko stated, “Receiving this award means a lot to me… I will continue to work hard to achieve the important common goals of UF.”

Dr. Kaplanidou is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Tourism, Recreation and Sport Management whose research focuses on national and international communities’ development through mega sport event initiatives.  She has worked extensively with the International Olympic Committee researching the legacy left behind at Olympic host cities and was quite honored to have this award given to her.  In her own words, Dr. Kaplanidou said “I am proud to be part of UF’s internationalization mission.”

Nominees for this award, given by the University of Florida International Center, are distinguished by the significance of the nominee’s accomplishments within the past five years, sustained international involvement, and international contributions in the context of at least two of the following:  

• Research: The extent to which the faculty or staff member's research made a significant contribution to his/her discipline through the creation or discovery of new knowledge and how that work involved international activities.
• Teaching: The extent to which the faculty or staff member's teaching increased student awareness of international issues and involved them in academic activities abroad. Also, the committee will review the extent to which courses with international content (including study abroad courses) were developed by the nominee and how that affected the curriculum.
• Service: The extent to which the international activities cited in the nomination raised UF's profile as a globally- engaged university, the benefits derived from these activities, and documented evidence of such. Significant roles in advising, mentoring, and similar service activities are included in this category as well, especially for those individuals in staff ranks.

A university-wide reception was held to recognize their efforts at the Keene Faculty Center (Dauer Hall) on Tuesday, November 13th at 3:30 p.m. during the annual celebration of International Education Week.

The Department of Tourism, Recreation and Sport Management is committed to national and international excellence in the generation, dissemination, and communication of knowledge in tourism, recreation and sport management.  The Department is also dedicated to excellence in the preparation and training of future industry and academic professionals, and providing relevant outreach to stakeholders.

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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Dr. Michael Sagas (Department Chair) at msagas@ufl.edu (352.294.1640) or Stephanie Thorn (Marketing and Public Relations) at stephaniethorn1@hhp.ufl.edu (352.392.3992).