SDSU President Adela de la Torre honored for advancing global education and workforce development

San Diego State University President Adela de la Torre has been honored for her leadership in expanding the university’s global influence in education and workforce development.

On Tuesday, the Association of International Education Administrators (AIEA) awarded de la Torre the 2025 Award for Presidential Leadership in Internationalization, recognizing her commitment to international engagement and preparing students for a competitive global workforce.

“Internationalization isn’t just about having students and faculty cross borders – it’s about building lasting connections that make a real impact,” de la Torre said during her acceptance speech. “From a university perspective, it can be framed as education diplomacy, using knowledge, research and collaboration to create meaningful change around the world…and not just for our students.”

De la Torre’s dedication to international education stems from her nearly 30-year teaching career, including time in southern Mexico, before transitioning into administration. These experiences shaped her leadership at SDSU, where she has prioritized two key aspects of global engagement.

“There are two distinct aspects to the promotion of global engagement at SDSU under my leadership: first is the facilitation and promotion of a globalized culture within SDSU; second is the expansion and strengthening of SDSU’s impact beyond our U.S. borders,” said de la Torre.

This strategy has translated into tangible initiatives, including the establishment of global research centers and degree programs. SDSU's emergence as a leader in higher education stems from an extensive, multi-year internationalization strategy focused on equipping graduates with the skills and perspectives necessary for success in today’s interconnected world.

In November, SDSU received the 2024 International Impact Award for Global Engagement from the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities (APLU). The award recognized the university’s Mesoamerican Studies Center in Oaxaca, Mexico; SDSU Georgia program in Tbilisi, Georgia; and longstanding partnership in the island nation of Palau; along with its extensive cross-border initiatives throughout Mexico and Latin America. 

De la Torre has called SDSU a regional university with a global impact.

“Our interconnectedness as a binational region is symbolic of the beautiful tapestry of communities we see in California, and it will only continue to grow,” she said in her testimony in early June to the California Assembly about binational higher education opportunities with Mexico.

SDSU garnered additional recognition by winning a 2025 Senator Paul Simon Award for Comprehensive Internationalization from NAFSA: Association of International Educators, recognizing the university’s emphasis on preparing global ready graduates.

“It is all incredibly important work and I consider myself fortunate to lead a university that collectively prioritizes global engagement, both inside and beyond our campus,” said de la Torre. “While this award for presidential leadership is individual in nature, it is truly a validation of a shared vision and the committed work of our faculty, staff and administration. I extend my gratitude to every one of them, and to the AIEA.”

With more than 600 members, the AIEA brings together experts in internationalization from around the world. Founded in 1982 and based in North Carolina, it remains the only member-based association dedicated to global education leadership.

“SDSU’s sustained excellence in internationalization is further demonstrated by its recognition as a Fulbright Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) Leader for four consecutive years and its robust international programs that continue to inspire collaboration and innovation,” the AIEA said in a release. “Dr. de la Torre’s leadership has set a new benchmark in higher education, reinforcing the importance of global-minded institutions in shaping the future.”