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News and features

News and features

UW study abroad returns to pre-pandemic participation levels, helps increase graduation rates

As the academic school year comes to an end, many students will continue their studies by packing a suitcase and heading overseas. A record-high 3,000 UW students will study abroad this school year. UW leaders say these programs promise profound experiences and lifelong memories, and new research shows that college students who study abroad are more likely to graduate.

“Studying abroad increases success for everyone,” said Dr. Gayle Christensen, interim vice provost, Office of Global Affairs, and a coauthor on a paper that evaluated graduation rates of students who study abroad. “But it increases the success for underrepresented students and underserved students even more.”

The study, published last year in the Journal of College Student Development by Tory Brundage, Doctoral Candidate in the College of Education and Dr. Gayle Christensen, found that students on college and university campuses who study abroad complete their degrees at higher rates, particularly among historically underserved students — defined as students who identify as Black, Latinx, Native American or Pacific Islander.

Learn more about how study abroad at the UW is a high-impact practice.

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Navigating Crisis: A Journey from Sudan to Safety

When Yasir Zaidan embarked on his research journey to Sudan, he never anticipated that the peaceful pursuit of knowledge would be disrupted by the chaos of war. As conflict erupted in April 2023, his experience transformed into a harrowing tale of survival and resilience, illustrating the unpredictable nature of global events and their far-reaching impacts.

“Yasir’s journey to the University of Washington began in 2020 amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a PhD student in International Studies with the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies, he embarked on a unique research endeavor focused on port cities and their interactions with global investment projects. With a prestigious fellowship from the Social Science Research Council, Yasir’s path led him back to his homeland of Sudan, where he intended to conduct critical field research on port development dynamics. However, his plans took an unforeseen turn as the eruption of war in Sudan in April 2023 disrupted his academic pursuits and necessitated his evacuation.”

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Innovative study abroad program to Rome focuses on the global refugee crisis

Dr. Jonathan Carey Jackson, professor in the Department of Medicine and an adjunct professor in the Department of Global Health at the UW, shares his reflections about The Global Refugee Crisis Program: From Devastation to Diaspora.

Nineteen undergraduate honors students and two Professors from the University of Washington joined two Italian Professors in Rome during the Winter 2024 quarter to study migration, immigration law, resettlement and the lived experience of migrants.

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May 16 Falling Walls Lab

Join us this Thursday for Falling Walls Lab in Seattle at CoMotion! Our finalists will pitch their cutting-edge ideas that have a positive impact on science & society and have a chance to win a trip to the Falling Walls Science Summit in Berlin this November.

📆 Thursday, May 16 | 4-8 pm (PST)
📍 CoMotion at the University of Washington
👉Register here

 

The event is organized by the German Center for Research and Innovation (DWIH) San Francisco, CoMotion at University of Washington, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) -German Research Foundation (DFG) and the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany San Francisco

Meet Courtney Kroll, 2024 UW Excellence in Global Engagement Award recipient

We are pleased to announce that Courtney Kroll, Associate Director, Study Abroad, Office of Global Affairs, UW Tacoma has been selected to receive the 2024 UW Excellence in Global Engagement Award. The award alternates yearly between faculty and staff and recognizes UW faculty and staff for their leadership in fostering global connections through teaching, research and service.

Courtney Kroll

Courtney Kroll is a dedicated educator and advocate for inclusive international education, recognized for her commitment to diversity and equity in global engagement. Holding an M.Ed. in International Higher Education from Loyola University Chicago, with a B.A. in French and Elementary Education from Albion College, Courtney’s extensive experience includes advising and managing study abroad programs at institutions like the University of Washington Tacoma and Marquette University. Her innovative approach integrates identity-based advising strategies, pre-departure orientation programs, and scholarship workshops to make study abroad accessible to underrepresented student groups. Courtney’s passion for social justice extends beyond campus borders, as demonstrated by her advocacy for Native American students and the development of identity-based study abroad programs. Through publications, presentations, and workshops, she actively contributes to the advancement of inclusive practices in international education, striving to decolonize traditional models and empower students to engage authentically with global experiences.

We invite you to celebrate her at the Awards of Excellence ceremony at 3:30 p.m. on June 6 in Meany Hall.

2024 Awards of Excellence

 

Meet the 2024 UW Excellence in Global Engagement Award Nominees

The Office of Global Affairs is pleased to announce the eight nominees for the 2024 award.

From top left: Natalia Dyba, John C. Hermanson, Courtney Kroll, Meighan Krows, Jennifer Lenga-Long, Ruth Levine, Suzanne Peyer, Cara Sucher

The UW Excellence in Global Engagement Award recognizes UW faculty and staff for their leadership in fostering global connections through teaching, research, and service. The award launched in 2023 and alternates yearly between faculty and staff recipients.

The 2024 award will honor a UW staff member that has led or undertaken activities that connect UW students, faculty, and staff to global communities locally, nationally, and internationally. The recipient will be recognized at the Awards of Excellence ceremony on June 6 at 3:30 p.m. at the Meany Center for the Performing Arts.

Meet 2024 Nominees

 

The UW is No. 3 for schools that produce most Peace Corps Volunteers

The Peace Corps announced that the University of Washington is again No. 3 on a list of top volunteer-producing institutions over the past two decades.

The UW has graduated more than 2,300 students who have gone on to serve abroad around the globe as Peace Corps Volunteers.

“Today’s world requires problem-solvers and people who understand that it is only through shared impact that we will change the trajectory of global issues. Curiosity and openness to others are cultivated in school, but must be nurtured throughout our lifetimes,” Peace Corps Director Carol Spahn said in a written statement. “I am so grateful to these outstanding institutions for challenging and inspiring their students to not only be exceptional students but also to go on to be informed and intentional global citizens.”

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About the U.S. Peace Corps

More than 240,000 Americans have served in the Peace Corps since President John F. Kennedy initiated the program in 1961. The Peace Corps promotes world peace and friendship and brings together skilled, committed Volunteers with welcoming host communities for service opportunities in more than 60 countries.

UW leads international group in semiconductor research and workforce development

Distinguished professionals, scholars, industry leaders, and policymakers from the U.S. and Japan

The University of Washington is at the forefront of an international effort to innovate the semiconductor industry while building a skilled U.S.-based workforce to design and manufacture chip technology. Part of a landmark education partnership that was announced in May 2023 at the G7 meeting in Japan, the effort brings together researchers and faculty from the U.S. and Japan to support the University Partnership for Workforce Advancement and Research & Development in Semiconductors (UPWARDS) for the Future project.

This historic partnership is supported by Micron Technology and Tokyo Electron Limited, and the National Science Foundation (NSF) and involves 11 universities from the U.S. and Japan dedicated to shaping the future of semiconductor research and workforce development.

“With our University’s proven track record of using public research investment to spur economic and technological growth, the UW is excited to be taking the lead in expanding our capacity to educate professionals and drive discovery in the critical field of semiconductors,” said UW President Ana Mari Cauce.

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May 15 Fulbright U.S. Scholar information session

Wednesday, May 15 // 12 :30-1:30 PM

UW faculty, doctoral students and staff working with students on international programming are invited to join a virtual information session about the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program.

Learn about Fulbright’s award opportunities and what resources are available to applicants. Speakers will include Dr. Julie Taylor, Fulbright’s Director of Academic Relations and UW faculty who have previously participated in the Fulbright Program.

The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program offers over 400 awards in more than 135 countries for U.S. citizens to teach, conduct research and carry out professional projects around the world.

Register Now

Sponsored by the UW Office of Global Affairs. Questions? Contact Prof. Anita Ramasastry (arama@uw.edu)