Reves Center announces 2026 International Student Achievement Awards

Excellence

The Reves Center for International Studies at William & Mary has announced the 2026 International Student Achievement Award recipients.

The following story originally appeared on the website for the Reves Center for International Studies. - Ed.

The Reves Center for International Studies at William & Mary has announced the 2026 International Student Achievement Award recipients:

• Abhishek Dhanraj, Graduate Student (India)
• Ima Hosseinzadeh, Graduate Student (Iran)
• Natalie Kruczkowski, Graduate Student (Canada)
• Ying Li, Graduate Student (China)
• Kira Mulatu '26 (Ethiopia)
• Glory Munthali, Graduate Student (Malawi)

International Student Achievement Awards of $700 each are given each spring to international students at William & Mary and William & Mary's Batten School & VIMS, who who have been nominated by faculty or staff as having distinguished themselves as exemplary in their academics, leadership and service to the community. All faculty and staff are eligible to nominate a student.

"Every year, we receive nominations from across the university, and I'm always amazed by the accomplishments of our international students," said Eva Wong, director of International Students, Scholars and Programs (ISSP) at the Reves Center. "It's wonderful to see the students demonstrating William & Mary's core values of excellence, flourishing and service both in and outside the classroom."

This year's awardees are listed here in alphabetical order, along with excerpts from their nominators' applications. (The excerpts have been edited slightly for length and clarity.)

2026 International Student Achievement Awardees

Abhishek Dhanraj, Graduate Student (India)
Field of study: MBA

Nominator: Amanda Barth, associate dean of graduate admissions and recruitment, Raymond A. Mason School of Business

I have known Abhishek Dhanraj since Fall 2024 in my role as associate dean of graduate admissions and recruitment. I first became aware of Abhishek through his outreach to our admissions team, where he proactively offered to support prospective student engagement by sharing his personal journey and experience in the MBA program.

While my direct role is not in the classroom, I have had the opportunity to observe Abhishek's academic excellence through his demonstrated academic milestones, professional development, and the way he reflects on the rigor of the program in conversations with our team.

He entered the MBA program with a strong technical foundation as a Chemical Engineering graduate and more than six years of professional experience across complex industries, including paints, chemicals, and steel. He has effectively translated that experience into academic growth, using the MBA curriculum to deepen his analytical and leadership capabilities rather than treating the degree as a credential alone.

His academic performance is further evidenced by his upcoming induction into Beta Gamma Sigma, an honor reserved for top-performing business students. That recognition aligns with what I have seen in Abhishek: a student who brings intellectual curiosity, work ethic, and high standards to everything he does.

Additionally, Abhishek successfully earned a highly competitive internship and subsequent outcomes through Amazon's Pathways program-an achievement that requires strong academic and professional preparation. He has consistently connected his MBA learning to real outcomes, reflecting the kind of student who internalizes learning and applies it effectively.

As an international student and first-generation student from Bihar, India, he has not only navigated a significant personal transition but has also actively used his experience to support others who are considering a similar path.

What makes Abhishek especially exemplary is how he contributes to the Mason community beyond his coursework. He proactively offered to support our admissions and recruitment efforts by sharing his story with prospective students, recognizing that student-to-student communication is often the most impactful. He was thoughtful in how he approached storytelling-focusing on honesty, accessibility, and inspiration rather than polish.

He has demonstrated resilience and upward mobility through education, and he uses that experience to encourage others-particularly prospective students from underrepresented and global backgrounds-who may doubt whether they "belong" in a program like William & Mary's.

Nominator: Tonya Boone, Life of Virginia Professor, Raymond A. Mason School of Business

Abhishek was a student in my Spring 2025 Operations and Supply Chain course. He distinguished himself through consistent preparation, and participation. He is one of the most thoughtful students I've taught, often seeking me out after classes to ask questions about the underpinnings of classroom lectures or exercises. He was driven to connect theory with real-world operations.

Based on his academic performance, analytical maturity, and professional background, I invited Abhishek to serve as my Graduate Assistant. Through both the classroom and his GA responsibilities, Abhishek has demonstrated reliability, initiative, and a deep commitment to learning. He approaches responsibilities with the mindset of a practitioner, drawing on his prior industry experience while remaining open to academic rigor and feedback.

As my Graduate Assistant, Abhishek has taken ownership of complex academic tasks with minimal supervision. Notably, he developed case materials based on his summer internship. This included a structured description of a challenging operational context, relevant data and a video walk-through. His goal was to provide an experience that would help more students secure supply chain related jobs and internships.

Beyond formal academic roles, Abhishek has demonstrated leadership through mentorship and peer support, particularly among international students. Having navigated the transition to the U.S. academic system himself, he is attentive to the challenges faced by students adjusting to a new educational and cultural environment. He offers guidance formally as a Graduate Ambassador and informally, helping peers think through academic expectations, career preparation, and professional norms.

His peers indicate that they view him as a principled professional who is willing to positively engage with tough ethical dilemmas - both in class discussions and real-life situations.

Abhishek's trajectory from a first-generation student from Bihar, India to successful matriculation at the Mason School of Business reflects tenacity and resilience. Moreover, he has a commitment to helping others. He consistently articulates a commitment to applying his learning toward broader societal and economic impact, particularly in emerging markets. He is the kind of student who benefits deeply from global scholarship opportunities and who, in turn, will use those opportunities responsibly and thoughtfully.

Ima Hosseinzadeh, Graduate Student (Iran)
Field of study: Marine Science

Nominator: Nicole Millette, associate professor, William & Mary's Batten School & VIMS

I have served as Ima's PhD advisor since fall 2022 but started interacting with her in fall 2021 when she contacted me about joining my laboratory group at VIMS.

Ima has done well academically but what is not reflected in her GPA or professional presentations is that she has worked harder than anyone for every grade she has earned in a class. When Ima started in the graduate program 3.5 years ago, it was her first time she was living in a place that spoke only English. While she could read, write, and speak English well, it was clear that it would take effort for Ima to become comfortable with her new situation. She has worked diligently by taking writing boot camps, putting in extra effort for her class, and engaging with others; the student Ima is now compared to fall 2022 is unrecognizable. Her improvement is amazing. Last year Ima easily passed her comprehensive and qualifying exam and had her prospective approved - she is now a PhD candidate.

Ima is a true leader at VIMS and W&M, she wants to help people feel like they belong, especially within the international community. Ima currently serves on four (!) committees at VIMS and W&M - the VIMS graduate student association research grant committee, VIMS international student committee, International Student Advisory Board of W&M, and a hiring committee for a faculty position at VIMS. I have talked to faculty members on the hiring committee, and they have told me how Ima's insights are so thoughtful that they forget she is a student. Beyond Ima's work on committees, she loves sharing her culture, especially through food. On her own, she once set up a Nowruz celebration for VIMS where people could stop by, and she would tell them all about the holiday.

Ever since Ima came to VIMS, her home country (Iran) has experienced political unrest, violence and negative attention in the US media, and now war. At the start of this year, large protests started up again in Iran and their government enacted a complete communication blackout. She could not get in touch with her parents for weeks, and now communication remains limited Very few people can truly grasp the type of stress and anxiety that comes with such a situation. I have seen how all of this has impacted Ima, but I have also seen how she has not let it slow her down. Anyone who has interacted with Ima knows how special she is; she is one of the kindest people I have ever met, while also establishing herself as a great scientist. Ima embodies the values of W&M and we are lucky to have her as part of our community.

Natalie Kruczkowski, Graduate Student (Canada)
Field of study: Law

Nominator: Anna Perez Chason, professor of the practice of law, William & Mary Law School

I have known Natalie since August 2023. She was a student in my Legal Research & Writing class. It is a year-long, small-section class that is intensely focused on writing.

Natalie is an outstanding student with many strengths. She is an excellent writer and one of the most professional and thoughtful students I have ever taught. Natalie's insightful perspective as an international student contributed significantly to the classroom.

Her writing skills and work ethic won her a spot on the William & Mary Journal of Race, Gender and Social Justice.

Natalie also serves as a Research Assistant for Professor Nancy Combs, a position of trust based on strong academics.

Natalie serves the community in several ways. She is the President of the International Student Alliance and serves as an Executive Board Member of the Phi Delta Phi International Legal Honor Society. She was a representative of the Student Bar Association and was the1L Alumni Relations Executive Board Member for the Business Law Society. In addition, she has interned at the U.S. Institute of Peace.

Ying Li, Graduate Student (China)
Field of Study: Computer Science

Nominator: Yifan Sun, assistant professor, computer science, School of Computing, Data Sciences & Physics

I have known Ying Li since 2020, when she joined William & Mary as a Ph.D. student in Computer Science. I have served as her doctoral advisor in the past 4 years, guiding her research, mentoring her professional development, and working closely with her on multiple research projects and publications.

Ying Li has established an exceptional academic record during her Ph.D. at William & Mary, demonstrating research excellence at the highest levels of our field.

What distinguishes Ying's work is her intellectual independence and first-principles thinking. This willingness to challenge established approaches and arrive at elegant solutions demonstrates exceptional academic maturity.

Ying combines a publication record at the field's top venues, research that challenges conventional wisdom and attracts federal funding, demonstrated teaching ability, and substantial professional service.

Ying has emerged as a research leader and mentor in our lab. She has directly mentored junior Ph.D. students, guiding them through the full research process from problem formulation to paper writing and figure generation. What distinguishes Ying's mentoring is her understanding of the big picture-she helps students see how individual contributions fit into larger research narratives, a skill that is difficult to teach.

Ying is deeply committed to supporting underrepresented students in computing. Through her mentoring, Ying pays particular attention to students facing structural barriers-including international scholars navigating visa challenges and students from non-traditional backgrounds entering computer science.

Ying thinks strategically about her research contributions. She articulated a clear vision: to become a key person providing intelligent decision support for next-generation large-scale AI infrastructure. She has acted on this vision by building collaborations with industry (Meta, Lightmatter) and national laboratories (Jefferson Lab). Her work contributed directly to a successful $1.1 million NSF grant, demonstrating that her research opens new directions that attract federal investment. She works at the intersection of AI systems and research infrastructure-both national priorities for NSF, DOE and the broader U.S. government.

On a personal level, Ying is a pleasure to work with. She is generous with her time and expertise, always willing to help teammates meet deadlines. In summary, Ying combines exceptional academic achievements with personal qualities-resilience, independence, strategic thinking, and warmth-that make her a truly outstanding representative of William & Mary's international student community.

Kira Mulatu '26, (Ethiopia)
Major: Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Analytics (Data Science) and Bachelor of Arts in Government

Nominator: Peter Atwater, adjunct professor of economics

I have known Kira since the spring of 2023 when he was a student in my ECON 150 class.

What makes Kira exemplary in his academics is his fearlessness more than his GPA. Unlike many of his peers, he hasn't played it safe. He has taken not only a wide range of classes, but he has done so on campus, in DC and in Barcelona. He is not afraid to put himself into situations where he must learn on the spot. He has maximized his Hixon Scholarship opportunities.

Kira has been active in the Black Male Collective, the African Culture Society, and the International Student Advisory Board (ISAB). These groups are not only meaningful to him, but in Kira's mind, they represent an opportunity for him to help those who come after him. He wants others to learn from the opportunities he has had.

Nominator: Kate Hoving, associate director of international communications, Reves Center

I first met Kira in October 2024, when Stephanie Szostak '94, who had been an international student, returned to W&M to give a talk and asked to meet with some current international students. Kira was the first to answer our call for interested students. As I was to learn, Kira is ready and willing to do anything asked of him, and to do it with eagerness and cheerful energy. Part of his role as student representative was to introduce Ms. Szostak at the public talk, and I arranged to meet him at the theater so he could see the space and practice at the podium. I was immediately struck by what a poised and gracious young man he was, mature and centered - for any age.

Kira has excelled in his classes and has a challenging double major, maintaining his GPA all while working as a financial assistant for W&M Athletics. He is a Sharpe Scholar, Wren Scholar and a Hixon Family Scholar, which has provided him with a full, four-year scholarship for academically exceptional students from Africa. Kira has thrived here.

Last year some Reves colleagues and I participated in NAFSA's Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill (the largest international education organization does an annual visit to promote international education, study abroad and exchanges). I was thrilled that Kira, once again, stepped up and was going to be our student representative. Kira was flawless. He studied the material and was articulate and compelling. He listens intently and communicates with care and precision, and although he was the youngest, he was one of the most effective members of the team. He represented the best of William & Mary. I also enjoyed his company. He has a lively sense of humor and is so easy to get along with. He doesn't get upset when things change or go awry; he simply adapts and changes course when needed.

William & Mary attracts very smart, hard-working and ambitious students. Kira is all those things, but he also has a delightful personality and a good heart. He also is not looking for accolades or praise.

Kira is someone who stands out as one of the most talented people I've known. He can do anything he sets his mind to, and I look forward to watching his life and accomplishments unfold.

Glory Munthali, Graduate Student (Malawi)
Field of study: Counselor Education and Supervision, School of Education

Nominator: Amber Pope, assistant professor in counselor education

I have known Glory for three years as a doctoral student in Counselor Education and Supervision and have come to know her well through teaching her in research methods courses and informal mentorship. Glory has continually demonstrated excellence in scholarship, leadership and professional commitment to the field of mental health counseling. Her scholarly achievements, extensive clinical experience, and dedication to advocacy make her an exceptional candidate for this award.

During her doctoral studies, Glory has already made significant scholarly contributions in trauma-informed education and multicultural counseling. Notably, she has presented her work on trauma-informed practices at state and national levels, such as the Law and Ethics in Counseling, Faculty Women of Color, American Mental Health Counseling Association (AMHCA), and Virginia Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (VACES) conferences. She also has one peer-reviewed publication and four currently under review in academic journals on topics of trauma-informed and culturally responsive counseling practices in counselor education.

Beyond her scholarly achievements, Glory demonstrates a commitment to professional leadership and service. Glory serves as a member of the awards committee for the Association of Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES) and the college/university relations committee for VACES. She is the co-President for the Chi Sigma Mu chapter of Chi Sigma Iota at William & Mary.

Glory has shown an unwavering commitment to serving diverse populations through trauma-informed care and advocacy. She is actively engaged in service with the William & Mary community, serving as a panel member of the School of Education Honor Council, a SOE Graduate Education Association Mentor, and a Virtual Conversation Partner for international students during the 2025-2026 academic year.

In 2025, Glory received AMHCA Donald Matteson Outstanding Student Award, which honors students who exemplify academic excellence, professional contributions, and the values of the mental health counseling profession. She also was selected as an Emerging Leader by the North Atlantic Region Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (NARACES) and received the Virginia Counselors Association Pete Warren Fellows Scholarship and the ACES Conference Diversity Scholarship. These state, regional, and national professional recognitions underscore her dedication to advancing the field through research, advocacy, and mentorship.

What truly sets her apart as a graduate student and future leader in our field is her positive, calm presence, which shines through in every interaction and in her work as a counselor, educator, and researcher. She is also highly creative and innovative. With a background in organizational leadership and a global perspective, Glory consistently brings fresh ideas to the table and demonstrates an unwavering commitment to making a meaningful impact in the profession.

I have no doubt that Glory will continue to make a profound impact in mental health counseling practice and advocacy as she finishes her Ph.D. this year and enters the field as a counselor educator.

Kate Hoving, Reves Center

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