ISSO director honored for excellence in international student advising

David Archbold, director of Oakland University’s International Students and Scholars Office, has been named the 2023 recipient of the Scott Cooper Award for Excellence in International Student Advising.   

Presented by the Michigan Association of International Educators (MAIE), the award recognizes an individual who has served in the field of international student service/advising for at least five years, demonstrating a commitment to receiving training, as well as training others, and showing exceptional dedication to student service. 

Archbold received the Cooper Award on March 16 at the 2023 MAIE Conference. He called the honor “a confirmation that what I do as an international student adviser matters.”

“It is my passion working with and teaching international students to adapt and succeed with the challenges that studying in the U.S. can present," he added. 

Tara Braun, director of international admissions and immigration at Calvin University, nominated Archbold for the award.    

“(David) has served as a mentor in situations for a lot of the MAIE membership and is not afraid to share his opinions on fairness for students and people in the field,” Braun wrote in a letter to the award selection committee. “He is dedicated to creating an environment for his students to not only thrive, but have opportunities past graduation.”

Archbold has been advising international students for over 30 years. In his 22 years as Oakland’s ISSO director, he has mentored thousands of students, given around 100 presentations and 30 workshops at MAIE conferences and presented at NAFSA: Association of International Educators Region V conferences. His presentation topics have included immigration, student recruiting, international initiatives on campus and working with agencies. He has served the MAIE in many capacities, including as chair, and in 2017 was recognized with the MAIE’s David Horner Award for Exceptional Service.  

In addition, Archbold self-funded a $2,000 scholarship through the MAIE to cover registration costs for support staff from Michigan universities to attend the MAIE Annual Conference. His enthusiasm for supporting international students is rooted in his own philosophy and life experiences.

“I was an international student and intern myself in Germany, and I know how important it is in those situations to have the support of others who are genuinely interested in your success,” said Archbold. “I have a favorite quote from Gandhi, ‘Be the change you wish to see in the world,’ and I try to be that change.”

The Cooper Award was established in honor of Scott Cooper for his many years of dedicated service to the international student community and the legal profession in Michigan, and for his commitment to peer education in the field of international student advising and regulatory affairs. Cooper has been active in MAIE, serving as chair in 2003.

“I have known Scott Cooper for many years both as a friend and a colleague, and he has always been a mentor to me since the time we first met,” Archbold shared. 

The Michigan Association of International Educators brings together personnel from Michigan academic institutions, government, private agencies and interested individuals engaged in the international education interchange of students and scholars for the purpose of assuring optimum professional training and service. Learn more at Michiganaie.org.