Mississippi Valley State University’s Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Kathie Stromile Golden, has been awarded the prestigious Distinguished Service Award by NAFSA: Association of International Educators. The award recognizes her more than four decades of leadership and innovation in global education and her tireless efforts to elevate HBCUs internationally.
Dr. Golden was nominated by peers from NAFSA Regions VII and III, who highlighted her enduring commitment to international education, her leadership within the StudyMississippi Consortium, and her work in developing the HBCU International Education Forum.
“I am humbled by my NAFSA colleagues from Regions VII and III and the NAFSA selection committee who thought me worthy of the Distinguished Service Award,” said Golden. “This honor is especially meaningful as I follow in the footsteps of two of my mentors, Dr. Ally Mack and Shelby Lewis—trailblazers in international programs at HBCUs.”
The Distinguished Service Award is named in honor of Marita Houlihan and Homer Higbee, pioneers in international education, and is presented to individuals who demonstrate sustained stewardship, mentorship, innovation, and leadership in the field.
With over 43 years of academic and international education experience, Dr. Golden continues to champion global opportunities for students at MVSU and beyond. As one of the founding members of the StudyMississippi Consortium in 2011, she helped establish a collaborative network to promote Mississippi as a destination for international education—a vision that remains strong in 2025.
Dr. Golden also serves on the NAFSA Region VII leadership team and has facilitated professional development forums and case study competitions for emerging international education professionals. Through her efforts, she has increased visibility and access for historically Black colleges and universities in global initiatives.
“NAFSA has not only shaped my professional development but has also provided a platform to advocate for the global legacy of HBCUs,” said Golden. “It is vital that we continue to share the rich, often overlooked history of our institutions in international affairs and global education.”