At last week’s UW Global Community Conversations event, Dr. Zuo shared her personal and professional journey, highlighting the experiences that shaped her approach to global education.

Originally from China, Wei came to the ĚÇĐÄÔ­´´ in 2010 to pursue a master’s degree in Educational Leadership. The program left a lasting impression. “I remember thinking, ‘Who wouldn’t want to be an educational leader?’” she said. That inspiration set the course for her career in higher education.

Early Years

Her early years in Seattle, however, were not without challenges. Like many international students, Zuo navigated questions of identity and belonging—beginning with something as fundamental as her name. She reflected on the pressures some international students feel to adopt English names and her own decision to keep her Chinese name and teach others how to pronounce it.

“Names carry identity, culture, and meaning,” she noted. “They can also shape assumptions.” Through her own experiences, and interactions with others—such as a man she met from Africa whose name revealed details about his origins—Wei came to better understand how identity is communicated and interpreted across cultures.

Wei also recalled feeling isolated at times as a young international student among older, more experienced peers. Adjusting to new academic expectations and social norms proved difficult. She eventually found a sense of community in the Master of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) in the UW English department, where she connected with peers who shared international perspectives and open-minded approaches to learning.

Doctoral research

That experience inspired her doctoral research, which explored the socialization and identity formation of Chinese undergraduate students at UW. Through in-depth interviews and observation with six students over a quarter, Wei uncovered a wide range of experiences. Some students actively built relationships with faculty by attending office hours, while others engaged only when necessary. Approaches to group work also varied—some students gravitated toward working with other Chinese peers for comfort and efficiency, while others intentionally sought diverse teams to strengthen their English skills and broaden their perspectives.

These findings revealed the complexity and diversity within international student populations. “We cannot assume a single story based on nationality,” Wei emphasized. “Individual experiences matter.”

This insight informs her work today. Wei encourages faculty to move beyond stereotypes and to design learning environments that recognize and support diverse student needs. She also underscores the importance of global competence—not only for students, but for educators—as a critical skill in an increasingly interconnected world.

Working with UW Global

With more than a decade of experience as an instructional consultant at UW, Wei has worked with educators across disciplines and regions, including from Japan, China, Singapore, Australia and the U.S. Despite cultural and geographic differences, she has found that many teaching challenges—such as fostering student engagement and managing effective group work—are universal.

In her new role with UW Global, Wei is expanding her impact by helping faculty integrate global learning into their courses. She is developing new resources and initiatives — including a global learning website where instructors can request support — asynchronous learning materials, and opportunities for virtual exchange through programs like Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL).

“I’m excited to bring together my international background and professional experience to support faculty and staff,” Wei said. “Global learning doesn’t have to be something you do alone.”

Wei closed her talk with an invitation to collaborate. UW Global offers workshops, consultations, and events to help faculty incorporate global perspectives into their teaching. By working together, she believes the campus community can create more inclusive, globally aware learning experiences for all students.

Every year, the ĚÇĐÄÔ­´´ 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. UW Global’s “Excellence in Global Engagement” 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 UW Global Annual “Community Celebration” at the UW Club. The award honors faculty and staff at the UW for their leadership in global engagement and alternates each year between faculty and staff honorees. This year’s award honors a UW staff member who has led or undertaken activities that connect UW 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’s recipient is James Sherrell from at Harborview Medical Center. James’ colleagues nominated him with the highest praise and we are delighted to join them in recognizing his outstanding contributions. James’ leadership in re-envisioning EthnoMed has expanded experiential learning for

UW 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 UW Medicine and beyond.

James commented, “At 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.”

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 UW 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 UW community whose leadership, service and dedication advance the ĚÇĐÄÔ­´´’s public mission,” said UW 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.”

“Celebrating all the nominees and their impactful work was an honor,” said Vice Provost for Global Affairs Ahmad Ezzeddine. “The award represents the University’s highest recognition for contributions to global engagement, and James’ work demonstrates the powerful local impact of globally focused initiatives.”

On Thursday, June 11, hundreds of colleagues, friends and family members will gather to recognize this year’s recipients at the 56th annual Awards of Excellence ceremony and James will be among them. Again, congratulations, James!

Meet the Nominees

Meyers shared how the Jackson School’s interdisciplinary approach—rooted in the social sciences, humanities, and professional fields—prepares students to lead in an increasingly interconnected world. JSIS offers six undergraduate majors, 17 minors, 10 master’s programs, and a Ph.D. program, all designed to help students understand global systems and engage with real‑world challenges.

Spring Break in Washington, D.C.: A front‑row seat to foreign policy

Meyers highlighted a new experiential learning program, Spring Break in Washington, D.C., which he led last month with 25 undergraduate students. The week‑long immersion introduces students to the institutions, people, and processes that shape U.S. foreign policy.

“It’s quite packed and quite intensive,” Meyers noted.

Over the course of the week, students met with:

• Congressional staffers from the Washington State delegation to learn how subcommittees, budgeting, and legislation influence foreign policy—and how Washington state perspectives are brought into national decision‑making.
• Foreign Service officers at the U.S. Department of State, who described how policy is implemented on the ground.
• Leaders at the Pentagon, where students heard about evolving defense priorities.
• International organizations, including the World Bank and the European Union Delegation to the U.S., to understand how global institutions partner with or influence the United States.
• Think tanks such as the Atlantic Council, where students explored how research shapes policy debates.
• NGOs, including Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and the HALO Trust, to see how civil society organizations advocate, monitor, and respond to global issues.

A key feature of the program is the inclusion of young professionals—often Jackson School alumni—on every panel. “We want students to see people who are just one or two years ahead of them,” Meyers said. “It helps them imagine what these careers look like.”

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. “We want our students’ voices—grounded in interdisciplinary training and deep cultural understanding—in the rooms where decisions are made,” he said.

Task Force Capstone: A culminating professional experience

Meyers also described the Jackson School’s long‑running Task Force Capstone, now in its 43rd year. Every International Studies major participates in this intensive, winter‑quarter policy simulation, which culminates in Week 10.

Each Task Force centers on a pressing global issue. This year’s topics included:

• Averting war between Taiwan and China
• Protecting biodiversity in the deep seas
• Counteracting China’s space diplomacy and leadership in international space law
• Addressing the use of drones in warfare amid gaps in international law
• Indigenous rights in a warming Arctic

Students spend the quarter researching their topic, producing a 100‑page policy report, and preparing a formal briefing. Their work is then evaluated by external experts—this 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.

“They’re not turning in an essay to a faculty member,” Meyers explained. “They’re presenting to people who are used to asking hard questions. It’s an hour and a half of defending their work—and seeing how everything they’ve learned comes together.”

Preparing students for impact

Across both programs, Meyers emphasized a shared goal: helping students understand the landscape of global careers and identify where their skills and interests align.

“When students come into our major, many imagine the State Department,” he said. “But there are so many other opportunities they might be better suited for.”

Through immersive experiences, mentorship, and exposure to real‑world policy environments, the Jackson School is building pathways for students to contribute to global problem‑solving—whether in government, NGOs, international organizations, or emerging fields.

We look forward to spotlighting additional UW faculty in the coming months who are interested in sharing their work and continuing the conversation with the group.

The National Institutes of Health also recently published about their efforts on the Fogarty International Center website.

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 UW 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’s global engagement.

Despite the difficult global environment and uncertainties we are operating under, UW 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 UW 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 ĚÇĐÄÔ­´´, 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 UW 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’s global mission together.

Ahmad Ezzeddine

Vice Provost for Global Affairs

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 UW with Japan’s 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, UW President Robert J. Jones joined the delegation for a presidential level visit. President Jones and his counterparts—President and CEO Naoto Ohtake, President and CAO Yujiro Tanaka, EVP Morio, and VP Hayashi—exchanged updates on institutional priorities and discussed opportunities for joint research and academic cooperation.

UW and Tohoku University launch the “Q‑DREAM” 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’ 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.

“Addressing today’s complex challenges requires bold, collaborative solutions,” said UW President Robert J. Jones. “When 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.”

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 UW 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 UW 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’s worth noting that Seattle and Kobe have been sister cities since 1957, underscoring the deep ties between our two communities.

1. Student Exchange and Research Agreement (UW Global)
   This agreement expands opportunities for student exchange and academic collaboration. We look forward to building closer ties as we welcome students from Kobe to UW and as our students study at Kobe University.
2. Innovation and Entrepreneurship Agreement (CoMotion)
   This new memorandum of understanding formalizes a growing partnership focused on innovation, technology transfer, and global startup engagement. It builds on a broader UW–Kobe relationship established in 2023, which included a joint research workshop in Kobe.

CoMotion Associate Vice Provost for Innovation Strategy and Ventures Anson Fatland and CoMotion Labs Director Ashlee Esteban-Akimoto joined the meetings, underscoring UW’s 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’ innovation ecosystems and help startups navigate global markets.

Two UW 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’s 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’s mission and benefit students, faculty, and communities in Washington and around the world.

These visits coincided with Converge Tokyo, the UW’s 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.

For 2025, the UW 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 UW graduates have gone on to service opportunities abroad as volunteers.