To all who know him at Temple and in global education both in the U.S. and abroad, it is no surprise that Martyn J. Miller, assistant vice president of Global Engagement, received this year’s prestigious W. LaMarr Kopp Lifetime Achievement Award, given at the 2025 Pennsylvania Council for International Education (PACIE) Conference.
Miller celebrates a long and storied career in international education that began shortly after he completed his doctorate in medieval English literature at the University of Georgia. For the past 26 years of his career, he has been at Temple University. Coincidentally, after accepting a job at Temple, he discovered that his grandparents served on the faculty and met here over 100 years ago.
“Martyn has that special perspective of an American who grew up in another country. Until he came to study at the University of Georgia, he spent his early years in Lebanon and Syria where his father was a teacher and administrator,” said Vice Provost of Global Engagement, Emilia Zankina.
“His approach is simple. He shows all international students he meets respect. In return, his personalized approach to Global Engagement has won him great respect from students, colleagues and partners alike,” she added.
– Emilia Zankina
Accepting the award, Miller explained the role serendipity played in his career. He was on track to become a professor of fantasy and medieval literature when a chance encounter set him on the path he seems to have been destined for.
“I bumped into someone unexpectedly. He asked me if I wanted a job, and then six months later, he asked if I wanted his job. And it just went on from there,” said Miller. But in considering his roots, where he grew up and both his father’s and grandparents’ careers in education, he acknowledged, “It really was a probable career.”
Presenting the award to Miller at conference, Temple colleague, Assistant Director of International Student Affairs, Marena Ariffin, a member of PACIE’s board of directors, said, “His leadership has shaped generations of students and professionals—including myself.” Ariffin first met Miller when she was an international student at Temple and he was director of International Student and Scholar Services.
Ariffin added, “He served on the PACIE Board and co-founded and chaired Study PA, a statewide consortium focused on boosting international student enrollment in Pennsylvania. He was also instrumental in launching two national recruitment campaigns begun by Temple—the #YouAreWelcomeHere (now managed by NAFSA: Association of International Educators) and the #WhyUS campaign. Both these campaigns reshaped how we welcome international students.” Ariffin said.
Miller concluded his remarks by pointing out that “this award is a reminder that bumping into someone in a hallway can lead to some of the best things in life.”
By Lisa Z. Meritz, Director of Communications and Marketing, Global Engagement
Photos Courtesy of PACIE