A member of the UC Davis Undergraduate Admissions team will receive the Chancellor’s Award for International Engagement at the 10^th annual UC Davis International Connections Reception hosted by Global Affairs March 12. 

Mitsuko Leonard, the director for undergraduate recruitment in Undergraduate Admissions, is one of four faculty and staff to receive the award in recognition of for outstanding global engagement in advancing the university’s teaching, research and service missions.

According to Global Affairs, Leonard was selected for her role in international undergraduate student recruitment efforts, consistently leading with an eye toward equitable access for students from all over the world. 

In its article, Global Affairs reported “Leonard is a true collaborator, working across campus to ensure that international students’ needs are met with empathy and care. Her leadership and vision have been integral to growing UC Davis’ international student population, and her ability to blend logistical expertise with genuine empathy has set a new standard for international recruitment, ensuring that every student feels welcomed and supported.”

Leonard’s nominators praised her leadership, and said that “her thoughtful, compassionate approach to guiding prospective students and their parents through the often-overwhelming admissions process has been instrumental to making UC Davis the first-choice university for countless international students.” 

Visit the Global Affairs website to read about all the award recipients  and the news story.