GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Dr. James Zhang represented the College of Health and Human Performance when he received an International Educator of the Year Award for 2009. There was a ceremony to recognize all college winners on Nov. 17, 2009 at the Keene Faculty Center. Provost Joe Glover presented awards to the winners.

The International Center established this award to recognize outstanding international endeavors by UF faculty members, in order to support UF’s strategic goal of internationalizing the campus and curriculum. A committee was established to judge nominees for the award. Each college was asked to nominate two candidates in the categories of tenured and untenured/recently tenured. Each college was free to develop their own review process, but nominations were endorsed by the deans. Consideration was given to three main factors: research, teaching and service.

Zhang has served as a primary faculty member on three study abroad courses during the past five years. His exchanges have included courses taught in China, Germany and Italy. His most recent course was entitled Olympic Games Preparation and Venue Development during the summer of 2006. Zhang’s commitment to international education also can be seen through his training and development about the global sports product. He also has been very committed to mentoring and advising international students at the University of Florida. He is currently the president-elect of the North American Society of Sport Management (NASSM). NASSM is the premier professional organization for sport management scholars and has a worldwide membership of more than 750 members.

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