Celebrating the 2026 CIEE BridgeUSA Champion Awards in Park City
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CIEE is in the Mountain West for the latest stop on its nationwide celebration of the U.S. Department of State’s BridgeUSA international exchange programs that make America safer, stronger, and more prosperous. This week, we’re in Park City, Utah, celebrating the local champions who make CIEE BridgeUSA programs possible, alongside the international participants who bring these programs to life.
Honoring BridgeUSA Champions in Park City
During a roundtable discussion with local employers, community leaders, and BridgeUSA participants, CIEE presented the 2026 CIEE BridgeUSA Champion Awards, recognizing outstanding individuals who help ensure international participants have meaningful work and cultural exchange experiences in the United States.
This year’s honorees included Meg Wandishin, Recruiting Manager at Deer Valley Resort; Jackie Adragna, Vice President of Human Resources at the Stein Collection; Grace McCollum, Manager of Hospitality Food and Beverage at Vail Resorts; and Stacie Moore, Director of Human Resources at Sheraton Park City. Each was recognized for their exceptional leadership and dedication to supporting BridgeUSA participants and helping them thrive during their time in Park City.
A CIEE BridgeUSA Champion Award for community leadership was also presented to Becca Gerber, Senior Director of Government and Community Affairs at the Park City Chamber of Commerce, for her efforts to foster collaboration among local employers, community partners, and international exchange participants.
An additional award was presented to Hannah Albin, Deputy District Director from Congressman Mike Kennedy’s Office, recognizing the Congressman’s support for international exchange programs and youth diplomacy.
“BridgeUSA is more than a program—it’s a strategic investment in America’s future, one that builds bridges between nations, one student, one job, and one summer at a time," said James P. Pellow, Ed.D., President and CEO of CIEE. "If this program didn’t exist, we’d need to invent it. It’s that essential."
Park City: A Community Committed to Exchange
The Park City stop on the CIEE BridgeUSA Celebration Tour also highlighted the essential role the region’s hospitality and tourism employers play in supporting international exchange.
Each year, resorts, hotels, and hospitality businesses across Park City host international college students through the BridgeUSA Summer Work Travel program, providing valuable professional experience while helping local businesses meet seasonal workforce needs.
The roundtable discussion brought together employers, community leaders, and BridgeUSA participants to reflect on the program’s impact—from strengthening local economies to fostering cross-cultural understanding that lasts long after the summer season ends.
As the BridgeUSA Celebration Tour continues across the country, CIEE will keep honoring the employers, community leaders, and advocates who help ensure the success of BridgeUSA and its mission of creating a safer, stronger, and more prosperous America through cultural exchange.