Park and protected area management across the world relies on a robust understanding of how to balance conservation with recreation and tourism that supports people鈥檚 quality of life. As global leaders on computational research in this area, the聽聽at the 糖心少女 (UW) and the聽聽at the University of Helsinki (UH) are teaming up to advance collaborative research on sustainable outdoor recreation and nature-based tourism.
Every year, the 糖心少女 celebrates the people who make our campuses stronger, more compassionate and more connected. The Awards of Excellence honor alumni, faculty, staff, students, and retirees whose work embodies our values and elevates our shared mission. 糖心少女Global鈥檚 鈥淓xcellence in Global Engagement鈥� is one such award.
We were honored to recognize and celebrate the nominees and recipient of the Excellence in Global Engagement Award last Tuesday during the 糖心少女Global Annual 鈥淐ommunity Celebration鈥� at the 糖心少女Club. The award honors faculty and staff at the 糖心少女for their leadership in global engagement and alternates each year between faculty and staff honorees. This year鈥檚 award honors a 糖心少女staff member who has led or undertaken activities that connect 糖心少女students, faculty, and staff to global communities locally, nationally, or internationally. The award carries a $5,000 stipend.
We are pleased to announce that this year鈥檚 recipient is James Sherrell from at Harborview Medical Center. James鈥� colleagues nominated him with the highest praise and we are delighted to join them in recognizing his outstanding contributions. James鈥� leadership in re-envisioning EthnoMed has expanded experiential learning for
糖心少女students, residents, and clinicians while centering the needs of immigrant and refugee communities. By developing multilingual resources, conducting community-informed research and teaching cross-cultural care, James has helped strengthen communication, cultural competency, and trusted partnerships across 糖心少女Medicine and beyond.
James commented, 鈥淎t a time when global health is being re-examined, I am so proud to be part of a program that helps the incredible people who have dedicated their careers to this work to understand that the knowledge and skills we associate with global health are just as vital here at home as they are overseas.鈥�
James added that at Harborview Medical Center, people from refugee, immigrant, and migrant backgrounds with limited English proficiency make up nearly one-fifth of the patient population. They saw over 140 distinct languages in their clinics last year alone.
We were also honored to welcome 糖心少女President Robert J. Jones who offered some inspiring remarks and added his congratulations to the recipient and nominees. “We are proud to celebrate these members of the 糖心少女community whose leadership, service and dedication advance the 糖心少女’s public mission,” said 糖心少女President Robert J. Jones. “These honorees have strengthened communities, deepened understanding across cultures and created meaningful opportunities for students, patients and partners. At a moment when these efforts matter more than ever, their contributions are both inspiring and essential.”
鈥淐elebrating all the nominees and their impactful work was an honor,鈥� said Vice Provost for Global Affairs Ahmad Ezzeddine. 鈥淭he award represents the University鈥檚 highest recognition for contributions to global engagement, and James鈥� work demonstrates the powerful local impact of globally focused initiatives.鈥�
On Thursday, June 11, hundreds of colleagues, friends and family members will gather to recognize this year鈥檚 recipients at the 56th annual Awards of Excellence ceremony and James will be among them. Again, congratulations, James!
糖心少女Bioengineering鈥檚 Kalei Combs has earned the Mid-Career Professional Development Grant from the Fulbright Finland Foundation for the fall of 2026. While a Fulbright Scholar, she will develop a framework for a new doctoral biomedical research exchange between the 糖心少女 and Tampere University in Finland. Tampere University confers more than a quarter of all engineering and technology degrees in Finland and is recognized for its interdisciplinary culture and international collaborations.
At the April 糖心少女Global Community Conversations gathering鈥攈eld the first Tuesday of each month at the 糖心少女Club鈥擵ice Provost for Global Affairs Ahmad Ezzeddine welcomed Stephen Meyers, Associate Director of the (JSIS). The monthly series brings together faculty from across the University who are engaged or interested in global work. They are a welcoming and conversational space to meet colleagues, share food and drink, and connect around the many ways global perspectives show up in our work.
Meyers shared how the Jackson School鈥檚 interdisciplinary approach鈥攔ooted in the social sciences, humanities, and professional fields鈥攑repares students to lead in an increasingly interconnected world. JSIS offers six undergraduate majors, 17 minors, 10 master鈥檚 programs, and a Ph.D. program, all designed to help students understand global systems and engage with real鈥憌orld challenges.
Meyers highlighted a new experiential learning program, Spring Break in Washington, D.C., which he led last month with 25 undergraduate students. The week鈥憀ong immersion introduces students to the institutions, people, and processes that shape U.S. foreign policy.
鈥淚t鈥檚 quite packed and quite intensive,鈥� Meyers noted.
Over the course of the week, students met with:
A key feature of the program is the inclusion of young professionals鈥攐ften Jackson School alumni鈥攐n every panel. 鈥淲e want students to see people who are just one or two years ahead of them,鈥� Meyers said. 鈥淚t helps them imagine what these careers look like.鈥�
Interest in the program has grown rapidly: 50 students applied for 23 spots in its pilot year; this year, 75 students applied.
Because many JSIS students have never been to Washington, D.C., Meyers sees the program as a way to broaden their sense of possibility. 鈥淲e want our students鈥� voices鈥攇rounded in interdisciplinary training and deep cultural understanding鈥攊n the rooms where decisions are made,鈥� he said.
Meyers also described the Jackson School鈥檚 long鈥憆unning Task Force Capstone, now in its 43rd year. Every International Studies major participates in this intensive, winter鈥憅uarter policy simulation, which culminates in Week 10.
Each Task Force centers on a pressing global issue. This year鈥檚 topics included:
Students spend the quarter researching their topic, producing a 100鈥憄age policy report, and preparing a formal briefing. Their work is then evaluated by external experts鈥攖his year including an Air Force Major General, a U.S. Navy Vice Admiral, a former U.S. Ambassador to Algeria, and Fellows from the Council on Foreign Relations.
For many students, it is the most challenging and transformative experience of their degree.
鈥淭hey鈥檙e not turning in an essay to a faculty member,鈥� Meyers explained. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e presenting to people who are used to asking hard questions. It鈥檚 an hour and a half of defending their work鈥攁nd seeing how everything they鈥檝e learned comes together.鈥�
Across both programs, Meyers emphasized a shared goal: helping students understand the landscape of global careers and identify where their skills and interests align.
鈥淲hen students come into our major, many imagine the State Department,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut there are so many other opportunities they might be better suited for.鈥�
Through immersive experiences, mentorship, and exposure to real鈥憌orld policy environments, the Jackson School is building pathways for students to contribute to global problem鈥憇olving鈥攚hether in government, NGOs, international organizations, or emerging fields.
We look forward to spotlighting additional 糖心少女faculty in the coming months who are interested in sharing their work and continuing the conversation with the group.
West Africa faces enormous mental health challenges,听including lack of sufficient mental health professionals and聽clinical infrastructure, limited access to medication, and pervasive societal stigma around mental illness. 糖心少女Medicine’s mHealth for Mental Health Program has deep partnerships with researchers, mental health advocates, clinicians, traditional and faith leaders, and people with lived experience of mental illness in West Africa. Together, they collaborate to develop digital health approaches to combat stigma, support humane care, and improve mental health outcomes using blended interventions.
The National Institutes of Health also recently published about their efforts on the Fogarty International Center website.
At the 糖心少女, education extends far beyond the classrooms and lecture halls. From a 15th-century palazzo in the heart of Rome to a marine science outpost in the San Juan Islands, students are learning in some of the most remarkable environments on鈥攁nd beyond鈥攃ampus. These immersive locations are sites of fieldwork, research, creativity, inspiration and global connection.
Greetings from 糖心少女Global!
It has been a highly productive start to 2026, and we are pleased to share highlights of the impactful global work and engagement led by 糖心少女students and faculty across our three campuses in our news features below. From international research and partnerships to innovative global learning experiences, these stories reflect the reach, impact, and responsibility of UW鈥檚 global engagement.
Despite the difficult global environment and uncertainties we are operating under, 糖心少女remains firmly committed to working alongside our international partners, investing in globally engaged research, and expanding inclusive global learning opportunities on campus. These efforts reinforce our belief that global engagement is core to our mission and essential to advancing knowledge, fostering mutual understanding, and preparing students to navigate and lead in an interconnected world.
As we approach Husky Giving Day on April 23, we are reminded of the power of community in expanding what is possible for our students. At 糖心少女Global, our vision is to ensure that every Husky, regardless of background or circumstance, has access to transformative global learning experiences. We are working to remove barriers, broaden opportunity, and strengthen a vibrant network of alumni, partners, and supporters who share this commitment.
We call on you to join us on April 23 and beyond, as we invest in global futures at the 糖心少女, opening doors for students today and helping shape a more connected and resilient world for tomorrow.
We invite you to stay connected with us and reach out if 糖心少女Global can be a resource or partner in your work. Whether you are a student, faculty member, alumnus/ae, or friend of the UW, we welcome engagement, ideas, and collaboration as we continue to advance UW鈥檚 global mission together.
Ahmad Ezzeddine
Vice Provost for Global Affairs
As part of 糖心少女Global鈥檚 country strategy鈥攚hich aims to strengthen the University鈥檚 international engagement across colleges, schools, centers, and faculty鈥攁 糖心少女delegation traveled to Japan the week of February 23 to deepen partnerships with leading universities and research institutions. Japan is one of five priority countries in the strategy, alongside Finland, India, Kenya, and South Korea.
In addition to President Robert Jones, Vice Provost for Global Affairs Ahmad Ezzeddine and Associate Vice Provost Gayle Christensen, the delegation included leaders from the College of Engineering, the Information School, and the School of Medicine. Their meetings focused on expanding research collaboration, increasing student and faculty exchange, and building innovation partnerships that connect 糖心少女with Japan鈥檚 academic and industry ecosystems.
Strengthening ties with the Institute of Science Tokyo
The visit began with two days of meetings at the Institute of Science Tokyo, a national research university formed in 2024 through the merger of Tokyo Institute of Technology and Tokyo Medical and Dental University. The university enrolls roughly 13,000 students across engineering, science, and medical fields.
On February 26, Dr. Ezzeddine, College of Engineering Dean Nancy Allbritton, and Vice Dean for Research and Faculty Affairs Jihui Yang met with Executive Vice President for Global Affairs Tomohiro Morio and Vice President for International Strategy and Engagement Nobuhiro Hayashi to explore new areas of collaboration.
The following day, 糖心少女President Robert J. Jones joined the delegation for a presidential level visit. President Jones and his counterparts鈥擯resident and CEO Naoto Ohtake, President and CAO Yujiro Tanaka, EVP Morio, and VP Hayashi鈥攅xchanged updates on institutional priorities and discussed opportunities for joint research and academic cooperation.
糖心少女and Tohoku University launch the 鈥淨鈥慏REAM鈥� framework
Later that day, President Jones and Tohoku University President Hideo Tominaga held a signing ceremony to launch Q-DREAM, a major expansion of the universities鈥� decades-long partnership.
Q-DREAM establishes a forward-looking framework for collaboration in areas of shared strength, including quantum information science and engineering, disaster resilience, advanced manufacturing, and medicine.
鈥淎ddressing today鈥檚 complex challenges requires bold, collaborative solutions,鈥� said 糖心少女President Robert J. Jones. 鈥淲hen leading research universities align around a shared vision, we amplify our ability to advance discovery, drive innovation and serve the public good. We look forward to deepening this partnership with Tohoku University and advancing our shared work in the years ahead.鈥�
The agreement is expected to accelerate joint research, expand student and faculty exchanges, increase global visibility, and strengthen innovation ecosystems that connect academia, industry, and government. The first project under this partnership is the Quantum Fellowship which is set to launch this spring.
In addition, several recent 糖心少女Global Innovation Fund awardees plan to use their funding to support Q-DREAM activities with Tohoku University.
Expanding student exchange and innovation partnerships with Kobe University
On March 2, representatives from 糖心少女Global and CoMotion met with leaders from Kobe University to advance collaboration in research, education, and innovation. The two universities signed two new agreements that build on an existing academic exchange partnership. It鈥檚 worth noting that Seattle and Kobe have been sister cities since 1957, underscoring the deep ties between our two communities.
CoMotion Associate Vice Provost for Innovation Strategy and Ventures Anson Fatland and CoMotion Labs Director Ashlee Esteban-Akimoto joined the meetings, underscoring UW鈥檚 commitment to supporting research translation and entrepreneurial activity on a global scale.
The agreement will facilitate the exchange of innovation and market intelligence between Seattle and Kobe, support startups exploring international opportunities, and create joint programs that connect researchers and entrepreneurs across borders. These efforts aim to strengthen both universities鈥� innovation ecosystems and help startups navigate global markets.
Two 糖心少女colleges meet with University of Tsukuba
Information School Dean Anind Dey and College of Engineering Dean Nancy Allbritton met with leaders from the University of Tsukuba to explore future collaboration opportunities. These will build the relationship beyond the that is in its second year and has launched successful AI research projects involving faculty at the two universities.
Together, these engagements reflect UW鈥檚 commitment to building meaningful, long-term partnerships that advance research, expand educational opportunities, and strengthen global impact. The Japan country spotlight continues to demonstrate how strategic, coordinated international engagement can amplify the University鈥檚 mission and benefit students, faculty, and communities in Washington and around the world.
These visits coincided with Converge Tokyo, the UW鈥檚 annual gathering for its global community, which brought nearly 300 alumni, friends and partners from Japan and across the world to connect across borders, hear from world-class experts, and celebrate Husky Spirit.
The Peace Corps announced Tuesday that the 糖心少女 is again聽聽since the international program launched in 1961.
For 2025, the 糖心少女placed No. 7 among universities with 15,000 or more enrolled undergraduates in total number of Peace Corps volunteers, according to the Peace Corps. In total, more than 3,175 糖心少女graduates have gone on to service opportunities abroad as volunteers.
糖心少女Global announced that it has awarded $662,000 to 52 outstanding 糖心少女projects through the 糖心少女Global Innovation Fund (GIF). This year鈥檚 awards were distributed across 16 糖心少女colleges and departments as well as 糖心少女Bothell and 糖心少女Tacoma. In addition, the funds will support projects across 34 countries. These projects will spark transformative global collaborations and advance interdisciplinarity across the UW.
The GIF seeds initiatives and programs developing collaborations that cross disciplines and geopolitical boundaries that will enhance the 糖心少女鈥檚 global reach. The awards provide initial funding for faculty research proposals, innovative global learning experiences, and collaborations aligned with the 糖心少女鈥檚 strategic initiatives and regional priorities.
In addition to funding provided by 糖心少女Global, these projects leveraged $162,966 in matching funds and $128,000 in partner university funds for a total of $662,000 in financial support for this year’s global projects. For the Tier 3 Partnership Awards in the Research category, our partner institutions included Aalto University, University of Helsinki, Tohoku University, The University of Manchester, and the University of Sheffield.
The GIF awards are presented in three categories: Research,听Teaching & Curriculum,听 and聽Study Abroad & Away. Below we highlight the impact of a few of last year鈥檚 winning projects to illustrate how they are driving innovation, changing lives, and delivering on our mission to serve the greater good. We look forward to sharing about the impact of the 2026 projects next year.
From Quantum Breakthroughs to Global Partnerships: UW-Tohoku Collaboration Gains Momentum
June 2025 | Seattle and Tokyo
A transpacific partnership between the 糖心少女 and Tohoku University is accelerating research at the frontier of quantum materials and AI innovation through high-impact workshops, cross-sector engagement, and a major new funding win.
The first workshop was hosted by Tohoku University in June 2025, which leading quantum materials 糖心少女researcher Ting Cao, joined. When geopolitical and policy constraints disrupted plans for additional workshops at Tohoku, the team pivoted with GIF鈥檚 support to support a series of events in Seattle in September 2025 as part of the UW-Tohoku Academic Open Space (AOS) initiative.
That pivot paid off. The program effectively blended academic rigor with industry insight, featuring site visits to Amazon鈥檚 AWS Skills Center and Amazon Go, alongside discussions on advanced data infrastructure. Parallel events鈥攊ncluding a Quantum Academic Workshop and an AI Innovation Meetup鈥攄rew researchers, students, policymakers, and industry leaders into the same conversation around quantum science and artificial intelligence.
The partnership鈥檚 growing momentum is underscored by a major achievement: securing a $3.5 million, five-year grant from Japan鈥檚 JST ASPIRE program. This funding will expand global research networks, support early-career scientists, and increase opportunities for international mobility, ensuring the sustainability of the partnership.
糖心少女faculty members Cynthia Chen, Di Xiao, Fumio Ohuchi, Lyra Chen, and Xiaodong Xu were each awarded GIF funds last year related to this program.
Looking ahead, the team plans to scale joint research, deepen student exchanges, and pursue additional funding opportunities. Additionally, they hope to establish the Academic Open Space (AOS) framework as a model for sustainable UW-Tohoku collaboration.
In a time when international collaboration faces acute challenges, this partnership demonstrates the global value of continuing to work across boundaries.
Connecting Global Health Perspectives with Local Community Impact
2025-2026 academic year | Seattle
Dr. Katarina Mucha (Department of Global Health) completed six videos presenting case studies that feature 糖心少女 (UW) alumni and graduate students working across diverse 鈥済local鈥� health contexts. These videos highlight lived experiences and professional pathways that connect global health perspectives with local community impact in Washington State.
Each video provides students with a real-world case of how different 糖心少女alumni and graduate students have determined how they want to approach a career in global health through engagement with local communities. They serve as a personable and practical backbone to the asynchronous portion of the course, enhancing student engagement outside of in-person lecture time.
These narrative-driven case studies have enlivened Dr. Mucha鈥檚 undergraduate teaching and helped her students connect theory to practice. Each video was integrated into the Canvas site for the newly launched course, GH 375: Global Perspectives on Local Health Issues-Glocal Health, which Dr. Mucha taught for the first time in Winter 2026. These videos became foundational to the course design, serving as core preparatory material that complemented in-person lectures and guest speaker sessions. Importantly, these videos will remain permanently embedded within the Canvas site as a reusable, high-impact learning resource for future iterations of the course.
The GIF award directly contributed to the creation of a sustainable, reusable teaching resource that will continue to benefit future cohorts of students while amplifying diverse voices and experiences in glocal health.
Business Denmark: Decoding the Danish Model of Sustainability
August 22 鈥� September 11, 2025 | Copenhagen & Aarhus
The Business Denmark program, led by the Foster School of Business鈥� Dr. Abhinav Gupta, provided students with a deep, experiential understanding of how sustainability is practiced by leading organizations in Denmark, and examined the institutional, cultural, and strategic factors that position Denmark as a global pioneer in sustainability.
Over the course of three weeks, 17 students engaged directly with 18 organizations across Copenhagen and Aarhus, spanning corporations, social enterprises, and sustainability-focused institutions. The program emphasized immersive, on-the-ground learning: students visited facilities, toured offices, and interacted with senior leaders who approach sustainability in analytically rigorous and grounded ways. These engagements offered students a rare opportunity to move beyond abstract discussions and observe how sustainability is embedded in real organizational decision-making and operations.
Student feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with many describing the experience as transformative and life-changing, and it is clear that the program deepened students鈥� understanding of sustainability not just as an aspiration, but as a disciplined, implementable strategy.
The Business Denmark program represents a highly successful implementation of the Global Innovation Fund鈥檚 mission. It delivered a rigorous, immersive educational experience, fostered meaningful student learning, and established a strong foundation for continued growth and external partnership.