UWs Crawford Honored for Internationalization Achievements

Warren Crawford, who has coordinated several field excursions overseas for Wyoming and western U.S. high school students, recently received the University of Wyoming’s Staff Award for Internationalization.

Every year, the UW International Board of Advisors and the International Programs Office recognize individuals who have significantly contributed to internationalization and the promotion of global awareness at the university.

Crawford is the youth development specialist and the senior university extension educator with UW Extension. To date, Crawford has led more than 150 students and 20 adults on international trips to Mongolia, Samoa and Ghana. Participants lived with host families and experienced the daily routines and cultures of each family.

“Under his leadership, UW American Youth Leadership Program has completed six exchange trips, partnering with Mongolia, Samoa and Ghana,” says Laura Balis, nutrition and food safety extension supervisor with UW Extension. “He is passionate about learning and is dedicated to becoming a global citizen.”

Crawford also brought 15 Mongolian students to Wyoming through the exchange program. He is planning a two-way student and professional exchange with Mongolia for summer 2017. Crawford also is developing an internship program and accompanying course for UW students with the Ghanaian Ministry of Food and Agriculture and 4-H Ghana.

“He is currently working with our partners in Ghana to develop an internship exchange, which would send UW students to the West African country to participate in hands-on learning in their area of interest,” says Stacey Sowders, youth development faculty member at Oregon State University.

Crawford has introduced students from across the world to one another’s cultures. He also recruited students from around the world to study at UW.

“I noticed him serving as an ambassador for UW,” says Francis Adu-Amankwah, educational leadership and exchange programs coordinator at 4-H Ghana. “Because of his promotion of UW, the Ghanaian participants were very interested in UW.”

“Warren is committed to internationalization of agricultural education, not just at UW, but all around the state,” UW President Laurie Nichols says. “Helping our high school students become leaders in food security, nutrition and other international issues is truly something to be commended and recognized.”

Crawford received his M.A. (2003) in education and instructional technology from UW.