Amy Kotwani, director of International Student Services at Missouri Western State University, has been selected as a rising star by an organization of student affairs professionals. Kotwani will receive her Missouri New Professional Rising Star Award at the NASPA IV-West Regional Conference in Albuquerque, N.M.

“As an office of one, Amy creates and oversees a number of exciting cultural events and programs, serving students, staff and the St. Joseph community,” said Shana Meyer, vice president for student affairs, in nominating Kotwani. “Amy’s goal is to create a supportive environment to assist international students in overcoming cultural barriers and assist with any problems.”

The New Professional Rising Star Award is presented to one new professional in each of the 10 states in the NASPA IV-West region who has been in the profession for less than three years and has made a significant contribution to his or her campus.

Kotwani joined Missouri Western in 2012, when there were only 52 international students. That number has more than doubled to 129 this fall. Kotwani has overseen or participated in a number of activities for international students, including:

  • Participation in Homecoming and other campus events.
  • The International Fair, which featured booths set up by international students, visited by nearly 400 attendees last November.
  • The One World Soccer Tournament, with 115 students participating.
  • The Krikor Partamian Ping Pong Tournament in March, which raised $4,000 for International Student Services.
  • The International Graduation and Awards Banquet.
  • The International Lecture Series, with students talking to campus and community about their home countries.

In addition, Kotwani was part of a community committee that planned St. Joseph’s first cultural festival in May.

Kotwani earned bachelor’s degrees in journalism and political science from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a law degree and Master of Business Administration from Drake University.

Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.