Yashwant Prakash Vyas, assistant director of Diversity Resources in the University of Iowa Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, was awarded the 2020 Edward S. Blankenship Outstanding Staff Award from Phi Beta Delta Honor Society for International Scholars.
Vyas received the award at the 34th Annual International Conference of the society, held virtually May 14-15.
Vyas led the efforts to reactivate the Alpha Tau Chapter of the Phi Beta Delta Honor Society for International Scholars at the UI and serves as the chapter president and coordinator. The UI chapter welcomed 67 new faculty, staff, visiting scholars, and student members during the spring 2020. Before coming to the UI, Vyas charted the Alpha Eta Chapter at Texas A&M University and served as the chapter president.
The Edward S. Blankenship Outstanding Staff Award is given for superior scholastic achievements, outstanding leadership, efforts to promote excellence in global education, and support of the development and activities of a local chapter of Phi Beta Delta.
Vyas has presented peer-reviewed educational programs at the annual meetings of national and international scholarly professional associations, such as the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity in American Higher Education (NCORE). He is a member of numerous honor societies including the Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society. Highlights of national and international recognitions include NASPA NOW Professional Award for Inclusion (an early career achievement award), and the Golden Key International Honor Society Outstanding Academic Leader Award.
Phi Beta Delta Honor Society for International Scholars is an academic and professional society, unique because it is interdisciplinary and international. Phi Beta Delta is dedicated to recognizing scholarly achievement in global education. The society’s mission is to recognize achievement in international educational interchange and to serve as a catalyst to increase the recognition, credibility, and importance of the international experience, and develop a network of individuals involved in international experiences.