Associate Professor Suk-Kyung Kim, PhD, in the Interior Design Program at the MSU School of Planning, Design and Construction, was honored with the 2015 International Ambassador Fellowship Award, presented by the Housing Education and Research Association (HERA).

After first receiving the Early Career Housing Award from the HERA, Suk-Kyung Kim decided to provide her service to the organization; she has served for about four years as the Publication Committee Chair. Being a member of HERA, and also highlighting her effort in international research/educational collaboration, made her eligible to receive this prestigious award.

After receiving a nomination letter from a colleague, Suk-Kyung Kim submitted her statement and CV to the HERA award committee. Her recommendation by the committee was then reviewed by the board and they voted her to receive the award, including a certificate and $1,000 check.

Efforts that were considered as part of her award nomination included the work that Suk-Kyung Kim has been doing since she came to MSU in 2008, such as developing an international research network for her research (targeting Singapore and Korea) and teaching, as well as collaborating on projects with many of her colleagues in Korea.

Last April, she was invited to be a member of the Academic Committee for the 2015 Asia-Pacific Housing Research Network Conference, which was held in Gwangju, South Korea. At the event, she chaired the plenary session and developed a collaboration channel between the Korean Housing Association and HERA, as well as presented her research with some of her MSU colleagues.

“This award greatly encourages me to develop further steps toward a solid and effective international research and teaching collaboration,” she said. “It is a great honor for me to receive this award.”

Please join us in congratulating Suk-Kyung Kim for her achievements!