Celebrating McMaster’s Global Ambassadors: End-of-Term Lunch

On April 14, McMaster’s Office of International Affairs (OIA) hosted an end-of-term appreciation lunch for the first cohort of the McMaster Global Ambassadors (MGAs). Sixteen MGAs and several supporting colleagues gathered to reflect on the past year and celebrate the program’s growing impact on McMaster’s global engagement. 

Launched in 2024, the McMaster Global Ambassadors program engages faculty and staff who bring deep regional expertise in over 80 counties and international networks to advance McMaster’s global priorities. Over the past year, MGAs have represented McMaster in more than a dozen international meetings and delegations, helped strengthen relationships with existing and potential partner institutions through 8 international events and conferences, and supported 5 alumni and student-focused activities around the world. 

The end-of-term lunch provided an opportunity to thank the MGAs for their time, leadership, and commitment, and to hear their reflections on the program’s first year—its successes, lessons learned, and ideas for future directions. Their feedback will help the OIA continue to refine the program and better support MGAs in their roles. 

OIA extends sincere thanks to all current MGAs and the many colleagues across campus who have supported our global activities this term. Their work is helping McMaster build stronger, more sustainable partnerships and deepen our connections with alumni, partners, and communities around the globe.

Join the McMaster Global Ambassadors Program 

The McMaster Global Ambassadors program is open to full-time faculty and staff who have strong international experience, regional expertise, and an interest in contributing to McMaster’s global engagement. 

If you are interested in becoming an MGA, we invite you to learn more and submit an application through the McMaster Global Ambassadors Program page. 

We look forward to welcoming the next cohort of McMaster Global Ambassadors and working together to advance McMaster’s global engagement. 

Here are some examples of the initiatives that our global ambassadors supported:  

• Dr. Lucy El‑Sherif
• Mr. Colin George
• Ms. Nina Carvalho
• Dr. Benson Honig
• Dr. Baniyelme Zoogah
• Dr. Alice Pinheiro Walla
• Dr. Ally Prebtani
• Dr. Melike Yilmaz
• Dr. Bartosz Protas
• Dr. Jackie Bosch
• Dr. Stuart Phillips
• Dr. Michel Grignon
• Dr. Mark John Stewart
• Dr. Ellen Amster
• Dr. Olaf Kraus de Camargo
• Dr. Matheus Grasselli
• Dr. Keena Trowell
• Dr. Rodrigo Narro Pérez
• Dr. Maureen Lagos
• Ms. Candy Hui
• Mr.Sean Van Koughnett
• Ms. Saher Fazilat
• Dr. Chandrima Chakraborty