Daniel Flener

Sep 4, 2025

LEXINGTON, Ky — The International Center at the University of Kentucky has announced the 2025 UK Global Impact Award winners.

Recipients comprise faculty, staff, alumni and community members who have significantly contributed to the university’s global engagement through education, research and service.

“These individuals are making a wonderful and positive difference with their dedication to helping create a more global University of Kentucky,” said Sue Roberts, associate provost for internationalization. “We are excited to honor their contributions.”

UK Global Impact Award for Distinguished Faculty Achievements in Internationalizing the Curriculum

Dr. Keiko Tanaka is recognized with the 2025 Global Impact Award for Distinguished Faculty Achievements in Internationalizing the Curriculum. Dr. Tanaka is Professor of Rural Sociology in the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. She also has a joint appointment with the Department of Sociology in the UK College of Arts and Sciences. Her Ph.D. is from Michigan State University, and her research focuses on the role of agricultural science and technology in reconfiguring the relationship between food production and consumption in the global context. Dr. Tanaka publishes both in English and Japanese. Her publications appear in such journals as: Rural Sociology; Journal of Rural Social Sciences; Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development; Agriculture and Human Values; and Agriculture and Economy [Japanese]. Her current projects on beginning farmers in the Southeastern U.S. and in Japan concern the intersection of their knowledge, practices and perspectives on agricultural sustainability. 

Dr. Tanaka’s instruction focuses on the sociological examination of global food systems and agricultural sustainability.  She is passionate about internationalization and the importance of civic engagement in university scholarship. Between 2008 and 2013, Tanaka led the Asia Center, first as the Co-Director (2008-2010) and then as Director (2010-13).  She also served as Director of Graduate Studies in Sociology (2009-2011, 2013-2014) and in Community & Leadership Development (Fall 2015).  She is an active member of the interdisciplinary undergraduate curricula in Sustainable Agriculture in the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, and Japan Studies in the College of Arts and Sciences.  She has been active in the Rural Sociological Society, having served as the Program Chair for the 75th Annual Meeting (2012), Vice President (2014-15) and President (2018-19).

In nominating Dr. Tanaka, Professor Kristine Urschel, Assistant Dean for Instruction in the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, noted “Dr. Keiko Tanaka’s dedication to internationalizing the curriculum at the University of Kentucky has been unwavering. Through her course instruction, leadership in curriculum development, leadership in the Asia Center and her commitment to fostering student global engagement opportunities, she has transformed educational experiences both in and beyond the classroom. Dr. Tanaka’s efforts to integrate global perspectives into academic programs, mentor the next generation of scholars and engage with the international community within and beyond the University make her an extremely deserving recipient of the Distinguished Faculty Achievements in Internationalizing the Curriculum Award.”