Global Competence Award

Image of global cities sign.

Global competence is crucial for successful careers and citizenship in today’s global world. Mount Holyoke offers many amazing opportunities, in and outside the classroom, on and off campus, to advance your global competence.

The Global Competence Award is given to seniors with demonstrated achievement in language learning, cultural immersion, global perspective-taking, and cross-cultural learning.  

Requirements

1. Language Requirement

Complete at least three courses, in the same language, beyond the College's language requirement, while enrolled at Mount Holyoke. One course taken pass/fail can be accepted. 

2. Cultural Immersion

Complete at least one of the following:

3. Global Perspectives

Complete at least two courses that explore a global issue from different perspectives.

4. Cross-Cultural Learning on Campus

Participate in at least one of the following:

  • Live on a language floor
  • Participate in the Global Partners' Program (Program temporarily suspended)
  • Be active in a student organization with an international focus (you will need to supply a description of your participation of 250 words or less when you submit your application)

5. Reflective Essay (no more than 500 words)

Logistics

  1. Track your progress towards meeting the requirements and submit your application for the Global Competence Award
  2. The McCulloch Center certifies that a student has met the criteria for the award. Seniors need to submit their application in MyMountHolyoke by March 1st of their senior year.
  3. Seniors will receive the award at a special ceremony during Commencement Week.
  4. If you have questions about whether certain courses or activities will meet the criteria for the award, please contact Jenny Medina (jmedina@mtholyoke.edu) in the McCulloch Center.

2024 Award Winners

  • Yiwei Bin (Economics/French)
  • Lauren  Brook (International Relations)  
  • Samiu Cheng (Politics/Sociology)
  • Olivia Chiu (Biology/French)
  • Enam Dartey (Computer Science/French
  • Amandine De Simone (Italian)   
  • Marjolaine De Simone Italian)    
  • Gabriella Diaz (Politics/Romance Languages)
  • Ina Dombrowski (Art History/International Relations)     
  • Marci Edwards (Italian/Psychology)
  • Samantha Estrada (PsychEd/Spanish)     
  • Sabrina Farrar (Astronomy/Politics)
  • Juliette Gagnon Strong Heart  (Environmental Studies/Spanish)  
  • Jennifer Garcia-Israel (biology/French)    
  • Yeon Soo Kang ( Art History)       
  • Mia Kerchen (Computer Science)           
  • Rachael Larson  (Biology/Spanish)
  • Geraldine Louis (Psychology)     
  • Anna McGrath (Environmental Studies/French)
  • Emily Mock (Biology/Spanish)
  • Lily Nemirovsky (Politics)           
  • Achol Otto (Special Major)         
  • Gabriela Palermo (Film, Media, Theater/Spanish)           
  • Sophia Perillo (Spanish)
  • Momoko Poedjokerto (International Relations)  
  • Emma Reid (French)      
  • Catherine Simons (Russian & Eurasian Studies)   
  • Samara Smith (Economics)        
  • Jennifer Thornquest (Sociology)  
  • Alexa Veliz Rios (Biochemistry)  
  • Yumeng Wang  (Economics/International Relations)

Past Award Winners

  • 2023: 39 seniors from 23 different majors
  • 2022: 27 seniors from 19 different majors
  • 2021: 15 seniors from 14 different majors
  • 2020: 37 seniors from 25 different majors
  • 2019: 37 seniors from 22 different majors
  • 2018: 36 seniors from 27 different majors and minors
  • 2017: 38 seniors from 20 different majors
  • 2016: 19 seniors from 11 different majors