Molly Aufdermauer, public engagement coordinator in the Center for Latin American Studies, has been awarded the 2024 Stanford School of Humanities & Sciences Dean’s Award of Merit.
Letters written in support of Aufdermauer by faculty, staff, and K-16 educators highlighted her attention-to-detail, expertise in grant administration, collaborative spirit, and fierce dedication to public service and international education.
Aufdermauer joined the Center for Latin American Studies (CLAS) more than a decade ago. Throughout her tenure, she has organized professional development programs for K-12 and community college educators, coordinated fellowships to support the study of less commonly taught languages, and supported the center’s robust community outreach activities.
“Molly has earned the respect, admiration, and affection of those she works with and of the communities of educators that she serves,” wrote CLAS Director Héctor Hoyos and Associate Director Elizabeth Sáenz-Ackermann in a joint letter on behalf of the center. “She is a thoughtful colleague who truly cares for the growth and wellbeing of her colleagues and the success of the several projects and initiatives that we embark on at CLAS.”
CLAS is one of four centers within SGS that has been designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a Title VI National Resource Center (NRC). NRCs collaborate on programs to broaden opportunities for instruction and research on global issues, strengthen access to training in foreign languages and area studies, and internationalize K-14 curricula.
Aufdermauer has played a critical role in administering the center’s NRC award and creating impactful reports to demonstrate to the Department of Education how CLAS fulfills its mission of global education, research, and community outreach. With her deep experience in grant stewardship, she regularly provides guidance and mentorship to colleagues across SGS around this topic.
“As a proven veteran of NRC grant administration, Molly generously shared her expertise to foster communication and collaboration throughout the mid-year and year-end reporting cycles,” wrote SGS Director Grant Parker and Executive Director Kate Kuhns in a joint letter. “Her endless optimism, thought partnership, and steadfast commitment to serving as a resource—especially for colleagues new to the reporting process—were vital in supporting our team’s productivity.”
When she is not busy with grant reporting, Molly is planning professional development workshops and organizing travel study programs for educators. This past year, she arranged five programs in countries across Latin America, including Mexico, Ecuador, Guatemala, and Brazil.
“Molly’s many months of meticulous planning ensured a seamless journey to the remote Galapagos Islands for a dozen community college faculty from disciplines ranging from biology to economics,” shared a community college instructor from the College of Marin. “Her supportive personality and positive spirit fostered a special camaraderie and enriched the program experience for all.”
“Molly is organized, humble, caring, and passionate in all that she does. I was fortunate to have been a student on the trip to Guatemala,” added another participant. “Molly went above and beyond in caring for the teachers and students, checking in on us during the trip, and making sure we had what we needed. She is an amazing leader.”
Congratulations, Molly!
The Dean’s Award of Merit originated in the School of Humanities & Sciences in 1999 to acknowledge the important role staff play in the success of the school and the university as a whole. Aufdermauer is one of four recipients of this year’s award.