APLU Names 2021 Malone International Leadership Award Winners

Washington, D.C.— The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) today announced that Dr. James Butterfield and Dr. Mark Mattson are the 2021 recipients of the Michael P. Malone International Leadership Award. The Malone Award, a national honor sponsored by APLU and awarded annually, recognizes individuals who advance international education at public universities.

“We’re proud to highlight the excellent work Drs. Butterfield and Mattson have done to advance international engagement,” said APLU President McPherson. “Comprehensive internationalization of higher education is increasingly important for the success of college graduates and we’re excited to highlight their critical work to realize that vision.”

More information on the awardees and their work is below.

Dr. James Butterfield
Dr. James Butterfield is a professor of political science at Western Michigan University, where he recently served as chair of the faculty senate’s international education council. Since 1994, Dr. Butterfield been involved in internationalization of higher education in multiple capacities — as the chair of a university committee to develop new study abroad programs; as a study abroad faculty director in two countries; in giving lectures and workshops on internationalization of higher education in Kazakhstan, Vietnam and Brazil; as a recipient of four Fulbright awards; and, most importantly, as a leader in internationalization on campus.

He led the university’s efforts to develop new study abroad programs, resulting in new programs in Spain, Germany, and China, among other countries. He also led Western Michigan’s development of a comprehensive plan for internationalization of undergraduate education, which launched in 2015. His work has placed particular emphasis on shepherding an inclusive internationalization process on campus.

Dr. Mark Mattson
Dr. Mark Mattson is Head of Global Engagement Initiatives and International Partnerships Librarian at the Penn State University Libraries. In that role, he has played a vital role in the university’s efforts to make libraries at Penn State’s 24 campuses more inclusive for international students. This work has included a student needs assessment, the creation of multilingual library signage, the appointment of a student liaison librarian, and the implementation of the international student personal librarian program.

He has also helped support Penn State’s Global Engagement Network through the establishment of international sister-library partnerships. He has helped intercultural programming events such as international guest speakers as well as globally focused film screenings, cultural fairs, and book clubs.

APLU’s Office of International Engagement leads the association’s diverse array of international initiatives. These initiatives help support campus internationalization, enhance and expand study abroad opportunities, strengthen engagement with the developing world, and support members’ efforts to engage with partners worldwide to address global challenges.

The Malone Award honors the legacy of the late Michael P. Malone, a champion of international education and one-time chair of the APLU Commission on International Education. Malone served as president of Montana State University from 1991 until his death in 1999.