Jeffrey Tsang is the 2025 recipient of the MSU Award for Outstanding Service to Education Abroad, which recognizes faculty and staff who give their time, energy and creativity to the development and implementation of education abroad programs that support MSU’s commitment to providing high-quality international education opportunities.
“As a former international student, I have always had an interest in international education. I believe in the benefits of exposure to a different culture and learning from people who are different from you,” Tsang said.
Tsang is an academic advisor and the assistant director for advising initiatives in the College of Engineering. He is also pursuing his doctorate in Michigan State’s esteemed HALE program.
During Tsang’s time as an advisor, he has become the primary coordinator and advisor of education abroad programs for the College of Engineering, raising the profile of education abroad for the college and sending more students abroad than in previous years, particularly among underrepresented groups.
“One of the main myths I wanted to dispel was that engineering students can’t study abroad because their curriculum is rigid or that if they study abroad, they will just take electives that won’t count towards their major,” said Tsang.
“I have been able to grow the engineering offerings by 200% by working with our program provider and other Big Ten engineering programs.”
Tsang takes the initiative to do more and to do it better than before rather than wait for a directive or cue. His colleague Lindsay Naylor, assistant director of advising in the College of Engineering, wrote in Tsang’s letter of nomination that although coordination of education abroad is not part of his job description, in order to facilitate growth in this area, Tsang led the charge of hosting information sessions, overhauled the production of marketing materials and has initiated pre-departure orientation sessions and returning student focus groups to share essential information and solicit feedback.
Among the most impactful contributions Tsang has made is the role he’s had in supporting first-generation and BIPOC engineering students’ study abroad fees. Because Tsang applied for and received a $12,000 grant, he was able to fund scholarships to cover the cost of passport applications for 30 underrepresented students and leveraged additional support for another 50 scholarships from the national education abroad provider CEA CAPA.
“Jeffrey’s leadership in education abroad has not only advanced the College of Engineering’s global initiatives but has also impacted MSU’s broader global education efforts,” Naylor said.
“His innovative strategies, dedication to student success and collaboration across multiple units make him an invaluable asset to both the college and the university.”