Connecting Campus

March 06, 2018

CBS senior Melat Weldeselasie was awarded the 2018 Josef Mestenhauser Student Award for Excellence in Campus Internationalization

Melat Weldeselasie

In a time when our differences so often foster conflict, misunderstanding, and divisiveness, Melat Weldeselasie takes a decidedly different approach.

Weldeselasie believes differences create beauty, something she has worked hard to honor and advocate for in her many roles on campus which have included CBS peer mentor, Students Crossing Borders community advisor, and Ethiopian and African student associations member.

Because of this work, the CBS senior was named a recipient of the 2018 Josef Mestenhauser Student Award for Excellence in Campus Internationalization, recognition she hopes will encourage other students working to promote global competence.

“We live in an absolutely beautiful world and there is so much power in being able to recognize and value beauty and difference in people, cultures, languages and even in our shared and intertwined experiences,” Weldeselasie said. “I believe campus internationalization brings us closer to being able to recognize and value that beauty.”

Upon her graduation, Weldeselasie will continue to pursue her passions for people, travel, and service as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Guatemala. In her role as a healthy schools coordinator, she will focus on improving health instruction within rural schools, a position that aligns well with her long-term goal of a career in healthcare.