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News and features

News and features

Alumna makes a global impact with Starbucks

As a Manager of Global Responsibility for Starbucks, Ann Burkhart ’90 ensures that the company’s international impact is positive. Her team develops strategies for the ethical sourcing of commodities from around the world. An international studies major at the University of Washington, Burkhart particularly values the writing and research skills she gained here. Read more from A&S Perspectives…

USAID taps UW and Microsoft to bring Burma new technologies

Burma faces many challenges in its path toward democracy. University of Washington is partnering with Microsoft and USAID to make the transition a little easier. USAID awarded a 1.5 million dollar grant to UW’s Jackson School of International Studies and Information School to bring new technologies and training to Burma. The tools will be used to facilitate policy-making and higher education reform. Microsoft matched the USAID grant and will contribute software and expertise. Read more…

Expanding to China, Seattle firm enlists UW alum

When leaders at Seattle design firm DLR Group needed new talent to reach their goal of winning new projects in Asia, they turned to a UW alumnus with strong connections to Seattle and China. Kevin Zhang, a graduate of UW’s M.S. in Architecture program and a native of Tianjin, China, has put his graduate training as well as cultural and linguistic fluency to work for the firm. With Zhang’s help, DLR Group recently won a bid to redesign a power plant in Shanghai, gaining a new foothold in China for the Seattle firm. Read more from The Graduate School…

UW again a leader in producing Peace Corps volunteers

Peace Corps has named University of Washington a leader in producing volunteers for its international volunteer programs. With 85 undergraduate and 20 graduate alumni currently serving with Peace Corps, UW is tied for second place with University of Florida in volunteer recruitment among large universities. The two tied for first place in the 2013 rankings. Since the organization’s founding in 1961, 2840 UW alumni have served as volunteers.

President Young reflected on the recent announcement in UW Today: “We are immensely proud of our graduates who make the decision to serve in the Peace Corps. It reflects the importance they and the university place on serving others, particularly in distant parts of the world. We aim to instill a global perspective in all of our students, and this is one indicator that we’re having a significant impact.”

Read more at UW Today…

 

Study abroad participation mirrors UW’s high marks for accessibility

University of Washington is one of only 19 US universities to meet high standards set by the Center on Higher Education Reform in an examination of higher education access, affordability and student success. 

Increased participation in study abroad by undergraduate students from underrepresented backgrounds echoes UW’s other achievements in enhancing access, affordability and student success. Study abroad participation by undergraduates from underrepresented backgrounds steadily climbed over the past decade, from under 7 percent of the study abroad student population in 2001-2002 to almost 17 percent in 2012-2013.

This progress reflects the increased quality and relevance of study abroad programming, innovative partnerships with the Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity and enhanced advising and support services focused on study abroad. For example, the Global Opportunities program has awarded 398 GO! scholarships for study abroad to Pell grant and Husky Promise students since 2008.

Read more…

UW Rome center live-broadcasting lecture by key European leader

Faculty, staff, students and community members are invited to view a live broadcast from the UW Rome Center on February 13.

The broadcast will feature a lecture by Dr. Franco Frattini, President of the Italian Society for International Organizations; Former Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Commissioner for Justice, Freedom and Security. Dr. Frattini will explore the current trend towards European integration through his lecture: “European Union Integration: Toward the Unites States of Europe?”.

The broadcast will take place at 9am PST in 115 William H. Gates Hall on Thursday, February 13. Professor Jeffrey Riedinger, UW Vice Provost for Global Affairs, will welcome Dr. Frattini and attendees on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean.

The event is hosted by UW Office of Global Affairs, UW School of Law, the Jackson School of International Studies, the European Union Center of Excellence of Seattle, the Center for Western European Studies and UW French & Italian Studies.

A light breakfast will be served at the event. Please RSVP to draigrod@uw.edu.

 

Jackson School hosts Ambassador Pickering

As part of the lecture series: “The U.S. in a Changing World”, Ambassador Thomas Pickering spoke at Kane Hall on February 5. The series is sponsored by the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies and the Henry M. Jackson Foundation. Read more…