Recognized by her peers for her compassion, integrity and leadership, Amanda Yusko, program manager with the Office of International Affairs, received the Leo Dowling Award of Excellence at the Region VI NAFSA conference in November. Every year, Region VI honors a member who has demonstrated the outstanding qualities that distinguished the late Leo R. Dowling of Indiana University, one of the "founding fathers" and an early president of NAFSA.
A passionate international education professional, Yusko cares deeply about students and goes out of her way to ensure that her team provides the best and highest quality advising and programming.
Award nominators noted how Yusko exhibits boundless enthusiasm and inspires others to stretch themselves and capitalize on professional development opportunities. A humble, gracious and responsible leader, Yusko volunteers her time to ensure getting involved in NAFSA Region VI is a welcoming and valuable experience for newcomers and experienced professionals alike.
Her passion for coaching and guiding new professionals shined as the NAFSA Academy chair. She led the cohort through the pandemic and created opportunities for participants to have a rewarding and impactful experience despite navigating the program in a remote environment.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Yusko remembers every single colleague's birthday, celebrates by bringing baked goods, and always has an open snack drawer.
A three-time NAFSA award recipient, Yusko received the Dorothy Brickman Award for Outstanding New Professional in 2008 and the George Hertrich Advocacy Award in 2017.