2021 Global Citizen Award Recipients Foster Global Community
Hanya Noussier, Madelyn Johnson, and Pietro Pesce received the Center for Global Engagement’s 2021 Global Citizen Award at FSU’s Leadership Awards Night held on April 6.
These exemplary FSU students, nominated for this prestigious award by FSU faculty and staff, were selected out of a competitive pool of 23 nominees. Each has made significant contributions toward fostering global understanding on campus, in the community, and abroad.
Hanya Noussier
Bachelor’s in Advertising, Class of 2021
Hanya Nossier, international student from Egypt earning her bachelor’s degree in advertising, was described by her nominators as the embodiment of the ideal global citizen. She works hard to provide outreach, support, and visibility for the international community, using her own experience as a platform for her advocacy. From her involvement in the College of Communication’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee to her role as an FSU Global Ambassador, her work furthers internationalization initiatives at FSU and provides the campus community with a critical understanding of the international student experience.
“I'm so honored and grateful to be one of the recipients of the 2021 Global Citizen Award,” Noussier said. “It is very rewarding to be recognized for being actively engaged and for promoting and supporting a global community among Florida State University students. I’m now more than ever motivated to continue fostering a global community and support diverse cultures on campus and the community. Go Noles!”
Madelyn Johnson
Bachelor’s in Middle Eastern Studies & International Affairs, Class of 2021
Madelyn Johnson, domestic student from Kansas earning her bachelor’s degree in Middle Eastern studies and international affairs, was described by her nominators as a fierce and dedicated advocate for refugees. Through her internship experience at the Center for Advancement of Human Rights and the International Rescue Committee, extracurricular dedication to establishing an Arab Honors Society, and research abroad in Peru and Jordan, she has contributed in significant ways to refugee communities globally. Her determination and work ethic culminated in her receiving the prestigious Boren Scholarship, which allowed her to provide direct humanitarian aid to refugees in Jordan.
“This award has helped me appreciate the value of my actions and it reinforced the idea that I can make a difference in the world,” Johnson said. “I am so grateful to FSU for supporting me as I pursue international refugee advocacy.”
Pietro Pesce
Master’s in Italian Studies, Class of 2021
Pietro Pesce, international student from Italy earning his master’s degree in Italian studies, was described by his nominators as an all-around exceptional student. He goes above and beyond in his role as the President of La Società Italiana, providing engaging and popular programs for the FSU community to connect more directly with Italian culture and language. He is considered a top-tier leader and mentor at FSU, where he cultivates a positive, engaging, and supportive learning environment for all of his students. He embraces and celebrates the breadth of cultural contexts within the FSU community in everything he does.
"Winning this award feels like the coronation of my experience as an international student here at FSU,” Pesce said. “I feel beyond honored to have had a chance to share my culture and promote cultural exchange over the past two years, and I am forever grateful to the CGE team for all they do to encourage openness and discovery of all that the world has to offer. I owe the chance to be engaged in the global scene to them and their tireless efforts.”
For more information about the Global Citizen Award, and to read about past recipients, please visit cge.fsu.edu/gca.
