International Student Coordinator Stephanie Kim was awarded the Rising Star Young Leader Award at the NAFSA: Association of International Educators Region XII Conference in Reno, Nevada in October 2018.

She was selected from among international educators in California, Nevada, Hawai'i, and the Pacific Islands. The Rising Star Young Leader Award is given annually in recognition of a professional who has impacted the field of international education during the first five years of the recipient's area of work. Kim received a framed recognition plaque.

Kim was recognized for her work in bringing professional development opportunities to educators working in K-12 education. As the first K-12 representative to serve on the NAFSA Region XII leadership team, Kim has advocated for the interests of international educators working in K-12 education. She has helped coordinate SEVIS training sessions for K-12 schools in Hawaii and has presented on Best Practices for teaching K-12 international students and Best Practices for K-12 Schools with international families. For the 2018 NAFSA Region XII conference, Kim organized a networking event, a planning meeting, and a workshop session focused on developing the global competence of youth.

"It is an honor to have been selected for the Rising Star Young Leader Award within California, Nevada, Hawai'i, and the Pacific Islands," she said. "Although international education still focuses mainly on higher education, K-12 international education is a fast-growing field and as more and more students study abroad at a younger age, I hope that international educators in the K-12 field will also have the resources and guidance that they need to fully support international families. Mid-Pacific Institute was founded in 1908 based on principles of international education and exchange as one of the first schools in Hawaii to accept students of Hawaiian, Japanese, Chinese, and Korean ancestry. With the rich historical background of the school, Mid-Pacific Institute continues to provide a great example for the K-12 international education field."

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