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Partnership in an Unequal World – Spring Workshops

April 9, April 26, May 14 // 12:30-1:30 PM

UW faculty, staff and students are invited to attend a virtual spring workshop series sponsored by the UW Office of Global Affairs that will explore what it means to have mindful teaching, collaboration and program building in an unequal world.

The workshops will engage participants in hands-on-activities and lively discussions about how to navigate issues of reciprocity and structural inequality and how to meaningfully collaborate with international partners.

Participants are encouraged to attend all three workshops, though any level of participation is welcome!


Tuesday, April 9 // 12:30-1:30 PM

Workshop 1 will focus on Globally Engaged Pedagogy and will address the prompt, “How to teach and learn across inequity.”

View April 9 Recording Please note a UW NetID is required to access the recording.

Friday, April 26 // 12:30-1:30 PM

Workshop 2 will focus on Building Partnerships between University and Non-University Collaborators and will address the prompt, “What does it mean to build relationships in an unequal world?”

View April 26 Recording Please note a UW NetID is required to access the recording.

Tuesday, May 14 // 12:30-1:30 PM

Workshop 3 will focus on Institutional Transformation and will address the prompt, “How do you leverage the resources and navigate the structures of the University in building more equitable partnerships.”

View May 14 Recording Please note a UW NetID is required to access the recording.

Facilitators:

  • Ben Gardner, Associate Professor, UW Bothell School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences; Chair, African Studies Program, Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies
  • Anu Taranath, Teaching Professor, Department of English and Comparative History of Ideas
  • Ron Krabill, Professor, UW Bothell School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences; Director, Master of Arts in Culture Studies; Co-Director, UWB Global Scholars

Recording available of Feb. 13 Building Scyborgs. An evening on decolonization

Thank you to K. Wayne Yang, Provost of John Muir College (UC San Diego) and Professor of Ethnic Studies, for his talk, Building Scyborgs. An evening on decolonization. The event was held on Feb. 13 by UW Public Lectures.

The event was co-sponsored by The Graduate School, UW Public Lectures, and the Simpson Center and co-hosted by the UW Office of Global AffairsSchool of Law, and Comparative History of Ideas.

View Recording

Welcome to OGA’s first Associate Director of Development, Sara Sherrard

Sara Sherrard will lead advancement efforts for the Office of Global Affairs, broadening global opportunities for the Husky community and deepening the impact of the University of Washington’s global engagement.

The Office of Global Affairs (OGA) welcomes our first Associate Director of Development, Sara Sherrard. This inaugural role is a joint hire by International Advancement and the Office of Global Affairs. Sara will focus on frontline fundraising and donor stewardship to advance OGA’s work, including UW Study Abroad, the Global Innovation Fund, and the UW Rome Center.

Sara comes to the UW after five years with Hopelink, where she had increasing frontline fundraising responsibility in annual philanthropy, major gifts and major gifts management. Raised in the rainforests of Costa Rica, transplanted to the icy American Midwest for college, with stints in West Africa and South America along the way, Sara has a deep love for traveling the world and exploring new cultures.

Meet OGA’s New Senior Director of Global Engagement, Ladi Carr

Machu Picchu, Peru

Ladi Carr will direct new and existing international initiatives that support research, teaching, and global engagement among students, faculty, and staff across the University of Washington.

The Office of Global Affairs (OGA) welcomes Ladi Carr, PhD as our new Senior Director of Global Engagement. Ladi joins OGA from the University of Virginia, where she served for nearly a decade in key leadership roles with the Center for Global Initiatives at the Darden School of Business. She brings a breadth and depth of experience that will advance the University of Washington’s global impact both locally and around the world, having developed and delivered academic programs in more than 20 countries.

Ladi is passionate about cross-cultural learning and the international exchange of ideas. She is an ardent advocate of the notion that universities are global catalysts for human progress, and she believes deeply in the value of high-impact global learning, research, and experiences.


Arctic Circle 66° 34’N, Finland

Q: What background and perspective do you bring to this role?
Originally from the Czech Republic (formerly part of Czechoslovakia), I grew up at a time when international travel was severely restricted by the government. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union and my country’s rapid transition to democracy, such travel restrictions quickly vanished. And so, upon finishing my graduate studies at Charles University in Prague (Univerzita Karlova), I was afforded life-changing opportunities to experience the world far beyond my borders, and I have dedicated myself ever since to enabling others to do the same.

During my past two decades in higher education, I have spent nearly ten years focused exclusively on global initiatives and engagement. At the University of Virginia, I was chiefly responsible for developing international programs, cultivating global partnerships, managing global operations, and serving as an international ambassador for the institution at-large. As a result, I bring to my role at the University of Washington an abundance of direct, on-the-ground professional experience in more than 20 countries worldwide. In addition, as an avid traveler throughout my life, I have lived, worked, and visited more than 30 other countries. I am thrilled to have this opportunity to bring my passion for global engagement and experiences to the UW community!


Helsinki, Finland

Q: What has been your most impactful international experience to date?
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Finland aspired to draw leading professionals from around the world to spend three months or longer in the country as part of a broader strategy to amplify its shrinking pool of native talent. To achieve this, the city of Helsinki created a special program, 90-Day Finn, making it possible for non-Finns to enter and stay in the country to immerse themselves in one of the world’s most dynamic, innovative, entrepreneurial, and tech-focused economies – despite Finland’s small population and remote location. After receiving more than 5,000 applications, my husband and I were among 15 people selected for this unique and life-changing opportunity.

Taking up full-time residence in Helsinki along with our middle school-aged son, we began a journey to understand and appreciate the virtues of a life in the Nordics. We became enchanted with Finland’s people and a culture that values transparency, honesty, directness, and equality. It is a place that respects its natural environment while also ensuring that urban spaces provide high levels of livability. And all this is achieved while delivering first-rate health care, education, and other public services. Finland’s model is a breathtaking achievement, considering that barely two generations ago, its economy had barely developed beyond the cultivation of its vast timber resources. Our horizons and perspectives were forever altered, and we now see the world in new ways – but only because we embraced this opportunity for global engagement.


Wuzhen, China

Q: How do your experiences align with the mission and work of the Office of Global Affairs?
As a bilingual, dual citizen (CZ-US) who has lived and worked in different cultural and political contexts around the world, I feel a personal sense of mission to introduce others to the transformational potential of international education and research. As my students and faculty colleagues would probably tell you, when it comes to global education and exploration, I am an ardent (exuberant!) cheerleader and champion for global experiences. In fact, I truly believe that universities have a uniquely important role to play in bridging the world’s most diverse cultures and contexts, and through our collective efforts they can serve as catalysts for human progress. For these reasons and many others, I am honored to do what I can to advance the mission of UW’s Office of Global Affairs in research, education, and community engagement – both at home and around the world.


Q: What do you hope to focus on in your first year of serving in this role?

OGA’s Strategic Plan

Four key priorities guide the Office of Global Affairs’ vision for global engagement at the UW.

Learn More

Listen, learn…and then listen some more. As is always the case at great universities, and as the old saying goes, I am privileged to stand on the shoulders of giants. The University of Washington has achieved a well-earned reputation as one of the very best and most highly ranked global universities. While I may have good and relevant experiences to contribute at the UW, I also have much to learn from those who have come before me. Fortunately, we can draw upon the Office of Global Affairs Strategic Plan (2022-2026) as well as an excellent framework for action developed by the Global Engagement Task Force (2021). Over the course of the year, I look forward to working though these ideas, consulting with UW’s leaders, meeting with stakeholders across the university, and together envisioning a future of even greater global impact and recognition for the University of Washington.

Building Scyborgs. An evening on decolonization

Tuesday, February 13 // 6:30-7:30 PM

Town Hall Seattle, Livestream (Hybrid)

Join us for a talk by K. Wayne Yang, Provost of Muir College and Professor of Ethnic Studies, UC San Diego.

Register Now

Monsters, machines, and mortals, we are the objects of colonization, and perhaps, we can be the agents of decolonization too. Join scholar, organizer, and co-conspirator K. Wayne Yang as he shares stories about decolonizing endeavors from past, present, future and speculative somewheres. How do we bend our own complicity in colonial institutions to forward Indigenous, Black, queer, and Other futures locally and globally? Come ready to consider your own scyborg powers and plans.

The livestream of this lecture will be accompanied by an ASL interpreter and will include CART captioning.

Co-sponsored by The Graduate School, UW Public Lectures, Simpson Center.

Co-hosted by UW Office of Global Affairs, School of Law, Comparative History of Ideas.

 

War in the Middle East Lecture Series

January 16 – February 27 // 5:00-6:20 PM*

A series of talks and discussions on the aftermath of Oct. 7, the war in Gaza and responses worldwide.

Moderator: Reşat Kasaba, Jackson School Professor of International Studies and Middle East expert

When: Weekly from Jan. 16 to Feb. 27, 2024 from 5:00-6:20 p.m.*
Location: Lecture locations vary by session. Click here for session descriptions

RSVP

*Note: The Jan. 22 lecture will be held from 7:00-8:30 p.m.

This lecture series is free and open to the public.

Sponsored by the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies and the Social Sciences Division, College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Washington in partnership with the Henry M. Jackson Foundation.

Questions? Email jsiscom@uw.edu

Global Visionaries: Ray Li

Ray Li profile photo with light purple in background

The Office of Global Affairs is excited to celebrate Ray Li for our April 2023 edition of the Global Visionaries series. The Global Visionaries series highlights the University of Washington’s global impact by featuring innovative, globally-engaged faculty, staff, and students.

Ray Li, Assistant Vice President for International Advancement and 2023 recipient of University Advancement’s Marilyn Batt Dunn award, describes his experience with community building, fostering relationships with alumni, and international fundraising.

Ray Li obtained a Master of Nonprofit Leadership from Seattle University and a Bachelor of Biopsychology from The University of British Columbia. He held the role of Senior Director of International Advancement at the University of Washington for 11 years. Ray’s prior experience includes serving as the Director of Strategic Initiatives and Advancement for Neighborhood House, working as the Assistant Director of Development for the American Red Cross -Greater Hartford Chapter, and supporting the Canadian Red Cross and the American Red Cross -Seattle King County Chapter.


Tell us about your background and experience.

I grew up in Vancouver, Canada. I was on a pre-med track in high school and was involved in student government. During that time, I was selected to be part of a leadership development program run by the Canadian Red Cross. It was a very pivotal experience for me and I learned a lot about leadership and civic engagement. Supporting the Canadian Red Cross became a passion of mine so I continued to volunteer with them through high school and university. Upon graduating from The University of British Columbia, I realized that I wanted to spend my time making a meaningful impact on my community.

Every job I have had in my career has been focused on community building, leadership development, and organizational change.

I went from working with the Canadian Red Cross to the American Red Cross, where I led a youth leadership development program. I then had a chance to go to graduate school, where I earned a Master of Nonprofit Leadership from Seattle University. At the same time, I started working as the Director of Development for Neighborhood House. Neighborhood House is a social service organization with a long history of supporting immigrants and refugees when they first arrive in the United States of America. I was charged with building the organization up. It was quite an experimental role where I was able to apply my graduate school learning on an evening and weekend basis to my weekday job. During my 12 years at Neighborhood House, our team went through three capital campaigns, raising close to $20 million – something that the organization had never done before. When I left, the organization had grown from 90 staff to 300 staff, our annual operating funds had increased more than four-fold and the organization had buildings they could call their own.

The real core of my work at Neighborhood House was community building. I did a lot of thinking about how to be forthright and authentic with the communities we were serving. I strove to include community members in our fundraising efforts and to invite community members to serve on our board to ensure their voices were heard. I learned some of my greatest fundraising lessons from that role. I learned to treat everyone with equity and to create space for all kinds of donors so they could make their own choices. I learned so much from that job about being aware of my own preconceived notions and about how to create inclusive environments where everyone feels a sense of belonging in some way.

I became aware of the opportunity to create the International Advancement program at the University of Washington due to my fundraising work in Seattle. I was drawn to the job because it was about building a program from the ground up, which felt familiar after my work at Neighborhood House. It felt like a pivotal moment in my career and I was eager to start a new professional adventure.

How did you go about building International Advancement at the UW?

I started building the International Advancement program from the ground up at the University of Washington 11 years ago. My early days with International Advancement were focused on creating opportunities with foreign ministries and setting up visits with quasi-governmental international entities. I did not have a strong background in international fundraising but I knew that community building was a core element of this kind of work. Looking back, there was a lot of unknown at the time but there was also a lot of goodwill. What was most challenging during those first few years was that I had to balance where the University of Washington wanted to go and what the community was ready for.

During my first international trips on behalf of International Advancement, I heard three major consistent themes from international alumni -they loved Seattle and the University of Washington, they had no idea what the University of Washington was doing, and they were eager to create more sustainable relationships. There was also a disconnected feeling amongst international Huskies. I saw there was an opportunity to build more trust. I also realized that I needed to spend time creating a culture of philanthropy -similar to what we have in the United States of America -but also in the various countries where international Huskies reside. It involved creating a multicultural culture of philanthropy – learning about cultural dynamics, the histories of countries, and the legal realities of what’s possible.

It was clear that we needed to build a robust and sustainable International Advancement program that would make the University of Washington successful as a global presence for years to come. We started with building up communities where there were already concentrations of international Huskies. I prioritized cultivating environments where the university could infuse philanthropy, engagement, and life-long learning. Those three elements are actually thematically present in all of our work in International Advancement –in our fundraising, alumni relations, and marketing and communications.

What inspired you to launch UW Converge?

UW Converge is the University of Washington’s signature event for international alumni and friends. Each year it is hosted in a global city by one of our international alumni communities. It offers a direct connection to the UW, its faculty and leadership, and its global alumni network.

UW Converge was born out of good fortune. Michael Young, former President of the University of Washington, was eager to elevate the university’s global presence. He was also very involved in the Pac-12. In 2015, the Pac-12 launched a globalization initiative and one of their first events was to host an exhibition basketball game between the University of Texas and the University of Washington in Shanghai, China. I worked closely with President Young and Jeff Riedinger, Vice Provost for Global Affairs, to collaborate with partners from across campus to make the most of the moment. We ended up using the opportunity to publicly launch the Global Innovation Exchange (GIX) in China. We hosted an international innovation summit that featured faculty and students from across the University of Washington who were working on innovative projects. We were lucky to have about 300 people attend from all over Shanghai and China. We also held our first global alumni board meeting with all of our chapter leaders. They came together to share best practices and to connect with President Cauce, who was on her first international trip, as the newly installed UW president, on behalf of the University of Washington. UW Converge in 2015 in Shanghai really laid the groundwork for strong stewardship with a number of international Huskies.

Group holding large check donation to UW
UW Converge, Thailand, 2016

During UW Converge in 2015, the Thailand chapter president raised his hand and asked to host the event the next year. UW Converge in 2016 was therefore hosted in Bangkok and also the island of Koh Samui. The Beijing chapter volunteered to host UW Converge in 2017, which focused on leadership. Then the Japan chapter hosted UW Converge in 2018. That UW Converge focused on innovations in leadership and was modeled after TED Talks.

 

Group photo of International Huskies and President Cauce in Taipei
UW Converge, Taipei, 2019

For 2019, the Taiwan chapter raised their hand to host UW Converge and focused on artificial intelligence -the business of artificial intelligence, the laws, ethics, and policies of artificial intelligence, and research and innovations in engineering. During that Converge, we were also able to feature the University of Washington’s Taiwan Studies Program and meet with various government ministries. President Cauce also had the opportunity to personally present the coveted Laureate vase to one of the foundations that had been giving to the university for many years.

Group photo with Seattle skyline in the background
UW Converge, Seattle, 2022

After two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, we were able to host UW Converge in 2022 in Seattle. It was really great to bring folks together on campus after two years of virtual pivot. As far as this year’s UW Converge, I’m looking forward to the Indonesia chapter hosting the event in Jakarta on August 12, 2023.

In retrospect, UW Converge began due to interest from our various chapters of international Huskies. They had a strong desire to build relationships within specific disciplines but also to create opportunities for alumni within a country to connect across disciplines too. They were also interested in creating spaces for alumni from different countries to come together and establish relationships across international borders. Because of UW Converge, the University of Washington is now more strategically aware of all the relationships and units across campus that are focused on specific countries.

How do you approach international fundraising?

My approach involves a mix of community building, cultivating trust, and brand promotion. The basic principles of traditional fundraising still apply but there is also a lot of nuance to international fundraising. It’s important to be mindful of jargon and to use culturally sensitive language. To be aware of the realities of the geopolitical landscape. To emphasize shared values. At every international interaction I have, I share that if it was just for tuition, the UW would be a good university, but it is because of philanthropy that the UW is a great university. It’s the difference between being able to retain faculty, create international exchanges, launch innovative initiatives, and construct new buildings.

I also try to have a strong understanding of the unique tax laws of international countries. Is philanthropy incentivized or disincentived? Is it incentivized within a country or outside of a country? I make sure to tailor my approach to philanthropic conversations with international donors by meeting them where they are at before taking a deep dive into how they want to give to the University of Washington. In my opinion, it all boils down to having a strong foundation of trust. My job is to clearly convey the impact of what a personally significant gift would mean to the University of Washington.

I should also mention that International fundraising happens over a different medium than traditional fundraising. I often find myself navigating gifts via platforms like WeChat and WhatsApp. Since the pace of those conversations can happen very quickly, I always try to make sure to set the expectations of our prospects from the start so that they keep in mind that the University of Washington is a large university and it can take time to launch new initiatives or process donations.

What guides your leadership style?

My leadership style is guided by the values of community and community building. I am a huge advocate of cultivating relationships of trust. I understand that things can take time when working at a large university. I take pride that I am resilient and perseverant. I like to operate with a glass half full mentality. I recognize when the time is right and when the time is not right. I also have a strong value of failing forward and exploring and implementing innovative ideas after reflecting upon community feedback.

I like to plant seeds for the future and navigate with a forward vision of what might be possible down the road.

What are you most proud of about your work with International Huskies?
Big group photo of UW Converge Taipei in 2019
UW Converge, Taipei, 2019

I am most proud of the feeling of camaraderie around the world amongst our UW community that now exists because of the International Advancement program. It is rewarding to know that when members of our UW community (faculty, staff, alumni, family) go to a country where there is a large number of international Huskies, they will feel welcomed and know that alumni understand what is happening at the university. I am also very pleased that there is now a strong sense of purpose, a passion for philanthropy and a deep community of connection that didn’t exist before.

May 15 Worlds of Difference Event

Monday, May 15 // 12-1 PM PT

Worlds of Difference: Partnerships in an Unequal World: A Workshop to Explore Reciprocity, Institutionality and How We Want to Engage Globally

Books in a circle with a purple backgroundMany of us are grappling with how to do good work and lead meaningful lives in an unjust and unequal world. While our intellectual and political projects link us with people in other parts of the world, the institutions through which we work can sometimes help and sometimes seriously hinder our collaborations. Whether you are new to international collaboration or have experience with international partnerships, we invite you to join our three UW faculty panelists – co-founders of The Global Reciprocity Network – as they share practical guidance from their ongoing work with international partners. We’ll engage in hands-on-activities and participate in lively discussions about how we navigate issues of reciprocity and structural inequality, and connect meaningfully across difference.

This free event is hosted by the Office of Global Affairs. UW faculty and staff are encouraged to attend.

Register Now

Apply Now! Global Engagement Fellows

The deadline to apply is Friday, May 15th at 5:00pm PT.

The Office of Global Affairs (OGA) is pleased to announce the opening of the AY 2023-2024 application for Global Engagement Fellows (fellows), a Global Innovation Fund (GIF) award that is focused on creating inclusive global communities at UW. In recognition of fostering new connections among the UW community, OGA will grant $3,000.

Fellows will convene new groups that share a common interest in:

• A region or country
• A research theme
• Good practice and innovation in inclusive globally engaged teaching, including study abroad
• Other topics relating to global engagement

Strong projects should demonstrate:

• Clear outcomes and outlined goals
• Consideration of long-term sustainability
• Cross-disciplinary and/or cross-college focus

Funds may be used for:

• A salary supplement for the fellow/s
• Hiring a student assistant
• Community activities (ex: refreshements for meetings, speaker honoraria)

Eligibility:

• Faculty members
• Staff members (with a co-lead faculty applicant)
• Post-docs (with a co-lead faculty applicant)
• Current PHD students (with a co-lead faculty applicant)

Learn More & Apply

2022-2023 Fellows

For any questions regarding the Global Innovation Fund, please contact uwgif@uw.edu.

Gayle Christensen to serve as interim Vice Provost for Global Affairs

Gayle ChristensenThe Office of Global Affairs is pleased to announce that Gayle Christensen has agreed to serve as interim Vice Provost for Global Affairs beginning July 1, 2023, stepping in for Jeff Riedinger who is retiring from the UW next summer. The next UW Provost will conduct a search and select a new Vice Provost for Global Affairs.

As Associate Vice Provost for Global Affairs since 2016, Dr. Christensen manages global engagement and business operations and directs strategic priorities, working collaboratively with colleges, schools and centers across the UW to further their global efforts. She is also an Affiliate Assistant Professor in the College of Education and has taught graduate courses in leadership and globalization of higher education.

Prior to joining the UW in 2014, Dr. Christensen spent a decade working in international education. At the University of Pennsylvania, she served as the inaugural Executive Director for Penn Global. There, she developed a range of initiatives aimed at strengthening Penn’s global engagement.

As an expert in comparative education, Dr. Christensen has served as a consultant and researcher in the U.S. and abroad for organizations including the World Bank, Urban Institute and the Bertelsmann Foundation. Her recent research has focused on the study abroad as a high impact practice. Previously, her research focused on the global reach of Massive Open Online Courses and has appeared in such publications as Nature and The Atlantic and online at SlateHer research has been featured across major media outlets including Harvard Business ReviewThe Chronicle of Higher EducationThe New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. She holds a master’s degree from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and a master’s and doctoral degree from Stanford University.