The American Immigration Council announced Neeli Bendapudi as the recipient of their Immigrant Achievement Award. The Penn State president will be conferred the award at a reception on April 28, 2023, in Washington D.C.

The honour is in recognition of Bendapudi’s three-decade long career in higher education during which she was committed to student success, fostering inclusive excellence, and creating opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to thrive.

Announcing the news, Jeremy Robbins, executive director of the American Immigration Council, said,  “As an immigrant and trailblazer, she has spent years navigating the lack of diversity in leadership and the challenges confronting minority groups. This year we are thrilled to commemorate Dr. Bendapudi for embodying the diverse contributions generations of immigrants bring to this nation and as a testament to the enduring power of our country’s immigrant history.”

Brought up in India, Bendapudi moved to the US to pursue doctoral studies in marketing at the University of Kansas after earning a bachelor’s in English and MBA from Andhra University.

As the first woman and woman of colour to serve as Penn State president, Bendapudi has focused on five areas which include enhancing student success, growing research areas, increasing the land grant impact, fostering diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging and transforming the internal operations of the university.  She monitors the modern land grant mission of the university in teaching, research and public service across 24 campuses including the online wing.

Before Penn, Bendapudi served as the president of the University of  Louisville from 2018 to 2021. She was named among twenty-five women ‘who have made a difference in the academy’ by Diverse Issues in Higher Education and among a select group of women who “are making a difference in business and in the community”  by Enterprising Women. She was also named in the annual list of most admired CEOs by Louisville Business First.

Humbled by the gesture, she remarked, “The US is a nation of immigrants and I am merely one of many who have come to this country in search of America’s ‘golden door’ to opportunity and prosperity. I am committed to expanding access to the transformative power of higher education for all students who are ready to learn — including those who, like me, have come to this country to seek their degrees in the hopes of building a better life for themselves and a brighter future for their families. Immigration, truly, is a cornerstone of the American dream, and I am grateful to the American Immigration Council for its work to help make this dream a reality for immigrants from across the globe.”

The  Council, which works to improve the America’s immigration system and the perception of immigrants in the country, has in the past recognised many outstanding immigrants and their advocates for their contribution.

A community-centered event in Queens, New York, unveiled 'Beyond Expectations: The Odyssey of a Village Boy from Guyana,' the autobiography of Ashook Ramsaran, president of New York-based Ramex Inc.

The event took place on Nov. 23 at Douglaston Manor, in the presence of family, colleagues, community leaders, and elected officials. It was moderated by Rhonda Binda of Guyanese origin.

The book documents Ramsaran’s multigenerational story beginning with his great-grandparents, Poorye and Radhah, who arrived in British Guiana as indentured laborers in the mid-19th century.

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Structured in three sections, it covers his childhood in Guyana, his transition to the United States, and his work in civic and diaspora affairs. A detailed journey map, historical documents, photos, and tributes—including one to his late son Gerald—provide additional context.

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US Congress Member Grace Meng, the chief guest, highlighted Ramsaran’s professional track record and community engagement, referencing his biography being recorded in the US Congressional Record in June 2025.

New York State Senator Roxanne Persaud discussed his ongoing civic involvement and issued a citation. Remarks were also shared by Sudhir Parikh of Parikh Worldwide Media, Guyana’s Consulate (via a message from Ambassador Michael Brotherson), Queens District Leader Richard David, and diaspora advisor Fazal Yussuff.

In closing, Ramsaran told attendees, "As I reflect on this chapter, I am aware that the journey continues—perhaps not in me, but through those I have loved, taught, and beside whom I have walked."

"This record speaks about my travels, but above that, it speaks about what I have tried to hold on to along the way: family, purpose, and memory. I am hopeful that it helps someone find a sense of purpose, whoever he/she is or from where he/she originated. Then it would certainly be worth it," he added.

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Ramsaran, who has held leadership roles in diaspora organizations, is recognized for initiatives such as the Kolkata Memorial and street-naming efforts in New York.

The foreword, written by author and academic David Dabydeen, is complemented by advance remarks on the back cover from Donald Ramotar, Letitia James, Ela Gandhi, Alina Camacho-Gingerich, and Albert R. Ramdin.

Attendees received complimentary signed copies, and several individuals read selected excerpts, including Dabydeen (read by Sylvia Ramgadoo-Marimuthu), Ben Jacob (read by Arnold Ramsaran), writer Marina Budhos, and Ramsaran’s grandsons Jaden and Gavin.

The event concluded with remarks from attendees on the book’s historical relevance, followed by a vote of thanks from Rachel Ramsaran.