Ann Arbor Times

Fostering global perspectives, enhancing cultural understanding, and developing real-world skills among students are some of the strengths of this year’s recipients of the University of Michigan President’s Award for Distinguished Service in International Education.

Andrew Lawlor, director of Global MBA Projects and lecturer of entrepreneurship and strategy at the Ross School of Business, and Emily Wang, assistant director of the Office of International Affairs at U-M Dearborn, are this year’s honorees. The award recognizes faculty and staff for their exceptional contributions to advancing international education and fostering a globally enriched learning environment.

“Through international education, we understand deeper, we see further and we reach higher,” said U-M President Santa Ono. “For by better understanding our world, we can better serve our world. And in better serving our world, we will change our world. That’s why I’m so proud U-M is a leading international university.”

Lawlor’s contribution to international business education at U-M spanned from 1994 to 2024. His approach was rooted in experiential learning, emphasizing the importance of real-world application. By engaging students in live projects, he ensured they faced genuine business and cultural challenges that enhanced their understanding and decision-making skills.

“International business knowledge, purview and experience are key success factors,” Lawlor said. “Not having that is a marked disadvantage. I am so proud of riding the waves of specific business challenges and cultures across 40 countries with so many students."

“It’s a humbling experience to receive the award. It has been a privilege to have been given the opportunities, resources and support to design and execute my international courses during the last 31 years.”

For Lawlor, who retired this month, managing and navigating international business challenges and understanding multicultural and social dynamics across many countries are critical for students. His courses focused on short-term international projects involving in-country research, analysis, relationship-building, and impact assessment.

Students had to apply Ross’s coursework frameworks in real-time settings. Lawlor’s methodology promoted critical judgments and decision making through hands-on experience. Each project required rigorous data collection, thorough analysis, and strategic recommendations presented to corporate sponsors.

“This method helped students transition business issues from abstract concepts to concrete solutions,” Lawlor said. “The impacts come from exposure on the ground inside each country with eyes wide open."

Lawlor highlighted transformative projects such as Whirlpool’s entry into Slovakia—its first post-Soviet Union acquisition—and its groundbreaking acquisition in South Africa post-Apartheid.

According to Gretchen Spreitzer, associate dean for engaged learning at Ross over the past 31 years Lawlor provided invaluable guidance to nearly 3,300 MBA students on 680 projects.

“Professor Lawlor has worked to develop a pedagogy for impactful learning from action-based learning projects,” Spreitzer said.

Spreitzer explained that these multidisciplinary projects blend personal experiences with research analysis using frameworks from Ross MBA core courses requiring rigorous data collection detailed analysis appropriate for organizational contexts.

Lawlor plans to remain engaged with Ross on a volunteer basis after retirement working with the Office of Action-Based Learning securing new projects sponsoring initiatives advising nonprofits in Malawi Rwanda Kenya Zambia where Ross students have previously worked effectively.

Wang assistant director Office International Affairs Dearborn recognized her dedication enhancing international education programs supporting intercultural exchange student life leading OIA developing events workshops sessions over her 28-year tenure inspired by her father's calligraphy scroll promoting lifelong learning respect differences essential student success transitioning new environments.

“I wanted to thank UM-Dearborn leadership faculty," Wang said "Their vision put me on this career path passionate about contributing impacting student lives.”

Francisco Javier Lopez director international affairs UM-Dearborn noted growing sector campus population approximately 10% overall enrollment highlighting Wang's significant contributions expanding global intercultural opportunities across university increasing opportunities supporting diverse backgrounds equal access quality education reducing conflict through understanding respect lifelong friendships.