Distinguished International Alumni Award

The CEHD Distinguished International Alumni Award, made in tribute to the late Emeritus Professor Josef Mestenhauser, recognizes outstanding achievements of international CEHD alumni to educational progress in their country.

CEHD is committed to deepening global relationships through research partnerships, study abroad, international degree-seeking students, and scholar exchanges. The Distinguished International Alumni Award reflects our commitment to fostering meaningful engagement around the world, and honors the outstanding CEHD alumni who are using their education to make a difference in their home (or another) country.

Award recipients will be honored at the CEHD Exceptional Alumni Awards Celebration on Tuesday, April 30 at McNamara Alumni Center.

If you have any questions, please contact us at cehdas@umn.edu or 612-625-5963.

Criteria

Any alumni from the College of Education and Human Development with an M.A, M.Ed, MSW, EdD, or Ph.D who has contributed to outstanding educational progress in their country.

2026 Distinguished International Alumni Award Recipient

Natalia Etten (MA ’13, educational policy & administration)

Natalia Etten builds the conditions for leaders and communities to respond to disruption and move their societies forward, linking global influence with local transformation.

In Ukraine, she leads national efforts to sustain learning during war through Teach for Ukraine, reaching tens of thousands of children while developing a new generation of educators and leaders committed to rebuilding the country’s education system. Her work bridges immediate crisis response with long-term system transformation, positioning education as both continuity in times of disruption and a foundation for democratic renewal.

Read the full profile for Natalia Etten