ISSS Awarded Sam S. May Commitment to Service Award
- April 27th, 2026
- in Capstone International Services International Main
The International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) team has been awarded one of The University of Alabama’s highest honors, the Sam S. May Commitment to Service Award on April 22, recognizing their exceptional dedication to service.
The ISSS works tirelessly to process required immigration documentation for international students, faculty and staff as well as providing on-going support and social, intercultural programming.
“I am beyond grateful for the recognition of this team’s hard work,” said Charter Morris, director of ISSS. “We have an amazingly talented and dedicated staff here who support our students and scholars, and much of that work is unseen.”
Trang Nguyen, associate director of ISSS said she is “grateful to be part of a team that shares a genuine passion for this work.” With strong leadership and support, she said the team will continue making progress for the ISSS and UA community.
According to Associate Provost for International Education & Global Outreach, Dr. Teresa Wise, “the last year has presented many challenges to the ISSS office as immigration regulations have been changing and continue to change very rapidly and often with little warning,” and noted that the ISSS team has been unstoppable in their dedication and commitment to international students and scholars through all of these changes.
Established in 2000, the Sam S. May Commitment to Service Award recognizes campus teams or departments demonstrating exceptional commitment, innovation, or creativity in customer service. Each winning team is not only recognized for their achievements but also receives a $500 reward to their departmental account.
Sam S. May, a janitor in the School of Chemistry from 1911 to 1941, spent time during breaks and after work learning the subject while conducting his own research and experiments. Students sought his explanations in basic chemistry and referred to him as “Dr. Sam” as May gained respect in the department. He also discovered material uses for local plants and received national attention for his efforts.