The Center for Gender in Global Context is delighted to celebrate assistant director and advisor Pat Arnold, who recently received an inaugural Five Opportunity Areas of Student Success Award from Undergraduate Education. 

The award program, established in 2025, recognizes MSU educators and staff who demonstrate exceptional dedication to one of the five opportunity areas of undergraduate student success: Self-discovery of Purpose, Educational Success, Contributing to an Empowered Community, Developing a Sense of Belonging, and Developing Wellbeing. Arnold was awarded for Contributing to an Empowered Community, which recognizes staff members or educators whose work significantly contributes to fostering an empowered and supportive community at MSU. 

“Just as we know that we indicate what we value by what we measure, we also demonstrate our values in rewarding the work and the commitment of colleagues who center students and student success,” said Mark Largent, vice provost & dean of Undergraduate Education. “In that way, awards like these are not just about the recipients; they are also exhibitions of our community’s values.” 

Indeed, Arnold’s award was a timely reminder of the importance of GenCen’s value-driven work, which impacts students on a global scale. “From personalized one-on-one advising appointments to maintaining connections with student advocacy groups across campus, Pat continuously shows a commitment to fostering a sense of belonging,” said GenCen staff member Kara MacKenzie. “They create an environment where all students can feel welcome, supported, and celebrated, and that makes a huge difference in our programs.” 

The anonymous nominator agreed, saying “Pat Arnold makes exceptional contributions as an advisor and administrator in the GenCen, supporting students in their learning and thriving, in the classroom, through advising and programming, and supporting them as whole human beings in all that they go through." 

You can learn more about the Five Opportunity Areas of Student Success Recognition Program, submit a nomination, and discover how you can get more involved in MSU’s student success work at the Undergraduate Education website.