The MU International Engagement Awards recognize the outstanding work of faculty, staff and students to internationalize the University of Missouri. The following recipients were selected for 2025 by the Council on International Initiatives based on meaningful and sustained commitments to international work, whether directly on campus or brought back to the campus from an engagement abroad.

Outstanding faculty contribution

Dr. Walter Gassmann

Dr. Walter Gassmann is a professor in the Division of Plant Science and Technology, a member of the Interdisciplinary Plant Group and a principal investigator at the Bond Life Sciences Center. Gassmann has exemplified excellence in both scientific research and global collaboration. His pioneering work on molecular complexes regulating plant immune responses has earned him global recognition, reflected in a h-index of 48, over 10,800 citations, and honors such as the 2024 Noel T. Keen Award and election as a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Gassmann has been instrumental in expanding Mizzou’s global partnerships. He initiated collaborations between Mizzou and the University of the Western Cape (South Africa), facilitating faculty and student exchanges that yielded joint presentations and publications. He has also sustained a nearly 20-year partnership with Gyeongsang National University (South Korea), co-organizing biennial symposia, helping establish a dual Ph.D. program and enabling joint research grants through the Korean National Research Foundation. His efforts were formally recognized by the Korean Ministry of Education and led to high-level institutional visits that strengthened Mizzou’s global presence. Gassmann’s international impact extends to numerous invited lectures across continents, mentorship of Norman Borlaug fellows from Costa Rica and Morocco, and participation on international grant review panels. He has secured multiple federal grants supporting global crop improvement collaborations and is actively pursuing new partnerships, such as with Ghent University’s Global Campus in Korea. Gassmann exemplifies international engagement through his groundbreaking research, enduring global collaborations, mentorship and leadership. His contributions have elevated Mizzou’s global standing.

Dr. Robert Sites

Dr. Robert Sites is Enns Entomology Museum curator and professor of entomology in the Division of Plant Science and Technology. Sites has dedicated nearly 35 years to advancing the University of Missouri’s global mission through exemplary research, teaching and service. He has been a beacon of global collaboration, pioneering research in insect ecology across more than 30 countries in Asia, Africa and South America. His international engagement is reflected in his extensive international collaborations, global fieldwork, and mentorship of students and scholars from around the world. Most of his work with international collaborators has led to peer-reviewed publications with international co-authors. He has also led Mizzou faculty colleagues and undergraduate students on international trips to places like Thailand (over 250 undergraduate participants in 20 years) to pursue connections and experience new cultures. These efforts led to stories about Mizzou on the NBC Nightly News and an episode of the BBC series “Wild Things.”

Sites has also invested significant time and energy attracting international scholars to Mizzou, including serving as host to numerous visiting scientists and Borlaug Fellows from countries such as Brazil, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Tanzania and Uganda, and mentoring graduate students from nearly every continent. Many of his former students work at universities or in federal agencies in their home countries, including University of Alagoas (Brazil), Kasetsart University (Thailand), Gadjah Mada University (Indonesia), Institute of Ecology (Mexico) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Cooperatives (Tanzania), creating a diverse network of Mizzou alumni around the globe. Sites exemplifies the spirit of international engagement: his career has expanded Mizzou’s global reach and inspired a generation of scientists around the world.

Outstanding staff contribution

Shanon Dickerson

Shanon Dickerson serves as director of international study programs for the MU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, a position she has held since 2016. Under her leadership, CAFNR has achieved an 18% study abroad participation rate and has expanded from a handful of programs to 21 dynamic offerings across 16 countries in Europe, Asia, Oceania and Latin America. Dickerson has transformed international engagement in CAFNR by creating sustainable program structures that survive faculty transitions, establishing over 12 strategic partnerships with universities abroad, and developing unique internship opportunities that allow students to gain hands-on experience in their fields. Since 2017, she has facilitated study abroad experiences for 885 students and awarded 591 scholarships totaling $468,409. Her innovative “Go Global!” courses integrate international perspectives into students’ degree programs, reaching those unable to travel abroad.

A dedicated mentor and strategic leader, Dickerson has recruited and trained more than 20 faculty members to lead study abroad programs. Her collaborative approach to marketing and student support has made international education both visible and accessible. Students, alumni and international partners alike praise her warmth, professionalism and tireless commitment to expanding global opportunities.

Erik Potter

Erik Potter has served the University of Missouri with distinction since 2019 and currently leads the Office of Global and National Fellowships as program manager. His work has significantly expanded Mizzou’s international footprint by mentoring students through competitive global awards such as Fulbright, Gilman, Boren, DAAD-RISE, Critical Language Scholarships and Rhodes. Under his leadership, the office supported 243 fellowships applications in fiscal year 2025, with 156 international awards. Potter’s commitment to inclusive student success is evident in his outreach to underrepresented groups, including first-generation students, veterans and transfer students, and his efforts to make international opportunities accessible to all. He has developed innovative programming such as the Fulbright Submit and Sophomore Seminar, and launched tools like an online essay feedback platform to support student development. His advising philosophy emphasizes personal growth through the application process, regardless of outcome, helping students build skills that serve them well beyond fellowship pursuits.

Beyond student advising, Potter has cultivated strong cross-campus collaborations with faculty, staff and administrators to promote global engagement. He works closely with departments and offices across campus to identify and support potential applicants and to enhance application quality and broaden awareness of international opportunities. Potter also mentors his own team, encouraging professional development and global experiences for his staff. His leadership has transformed the Fellowships Office into a hub of international engagement, fostering a campus culture that values global learning, equity and student empowerment. Through his tireless advocacy and strategic vision, Potter has made an enduring impact on Mizzou’s international mission.