Global Leaders Celebration: Global Learning, Campus Programs celebrates students committed to global engagement, leadership and service

On Thursday, April 24, 2025, the Global Learning, Campus Programs hosted the Global Leaders Celebration to recognize and celebrate the recipients of the Global Citizens Award, GloBull Ambassadors, and Peace Corps Prep Program—students who have demonstrated a commitment to global engagement, leadership and service. USF Global Learning, Campus Programs is a new unit within USF World, running programs that help students become global citizens without having to leave campus: the Global Citizens Project, Peace Corps Prep Program, the Global Career Accelerator, and Virtual Global Exchange.

“Today, we recognized over 100 recipients of the Global Citizen Award,” Dr. Rahi Dayerizadeh, Associate Director of Global Learning Campus Programs, says. “These students elevated their career readiness skills by engaging in enhanced courses, participating in local global events, and undertaking High Impact Practice activities like studying abroad, community service, internships, and research projects.”   

Heather Jurek, US Navy Veteran studying geography at USF, is a recipient of the 2025 Global Citizens Award. During her time at USF, she has studied abroad in Costa Rica and volunteered for a week in Puerto Rico. “This award means everything to me because it’s everything I want to be,” Jurek says. “I want to be that person who is always talking to someone new, trying new foods, learning where I can help in the world.”   

Alongside the recipients of the Global Citizen Award, over 30 graduating GloBull Ambassadors were honored for their dedication while at USF. After their own study abroad experiences, these students served as peer mentors and volunteered with the USF Global Learning office. Also, during the event, graduates of the Peace Corps Prep Program were presented with certificates and connected with a Peace Corps recruiter to explore the opportunities now available to them.   

Alongside the recipients of the Global Citizen Award, over 30 graduating GloBull Ambassadors were honored for their dedication during their time at USF. 

GloBull Ambassador Whitney Louis, a student in the College of Engineering, studied abroad in Florence, Italy. She is a part of the Global Citizens Project Book Club. “My favorite thing was learning more about the UN Sustainable Development Goals through the book club, Education Abroad Events, and informative TEDx videos,” Louis says.   

“All of these programs are self-paced, and students complete them independently, so there isn't much face-to-face interaction besides advising meetings or emails,” said Carolina Ferreyros, Global Learning Programs Advisor. “Therefore today, I was looking forward to meeting students in person, talking to them about their experiences and post-grad plans, and most importantly celebrating all their hard work!”   

After the resounding success of the first big event hosted by the Global Learning Campus Programs unit, it is clear the future of global engagement and cultural exchange at USF is bright.