Five universities were rewarded for their achievements, including Colorado State University, Green River Community College, Lone Star College System, St. Cloud State University, and the University of South Florida

Another three universities — Fairfield University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Northwestern University – received the 2013 “Senator Paul Simon Spotlight Award”, which honours a specific international programme or initiative.

The winners excelled at integrating international education at their campuses

“We are proud to present the 2013 Simon Awards to these colleges and universities for their comprehensive commitment and remarkable achievements in bringing global education opportunities to their students,” said NAFSA Executive Director and CEO Marlene M. Johnson.

“They are excellent models for how higher education across the country can and must innovate to prepare our students for the global economy we live in today.”

In a statement NAFSA said the winners had impressed the academic community with their global networks and foreign partnerships. All had shown “comprehensive internationalisation” with “planned, strategic integration of international, intercultural, and global dimensions into the university’s philosophy”.

The award’s namesake, Senator Paul Simon, was a strong advocate of international education and the inspiration behind the proposed Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Foundation Act. If passed the bill would significantly increase study abroad opportunities for US undergraduates, with the goal of one million US students studying abroad each year within ten years.