91�� Global

Be a student again: 91��’s Scholars Abroad program in Rome, Italy is rich in cultural experiences

donnao3 — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 17:46:03 +0000

Do you have a passion for Italy – its history, culture, language and/or food? Would you like to experience studying abroad as an adult learner? You can with the Scholars Abroad program at 91��’s Rome Center.

91�� Scholars Abroad is a week-long adult-education program launched by the 91�� last year. Using the Eternal City as a base, the program transforms Rome into a living classroom for curious lifelong learners.

Guided by 91�� Rome Center faculty and local experts, participants move beyond the typical tourist experience to engage with the city’s neighborhoods, history, art, architecture, food, language and daily life. What stays with them isn’t a checklist of sights, but an understanding of place and culture that keeps unfolding long after they’re home.

The Rome Center has been the 91��’s classroom in Italy since the early 1980s and hosts about 400 students a year. It occupies three floors in Palazzo Pio, a 15th-century building located on Campo de’ Fiori, a lively marketplace in the center of the ancient city. Palazzo Pio was built on the foundations of Pompey the Great’s theater and the building is rich in historical significance.

The Center’s classrooms, meeting spaces, library and outside terrace were extensively renovated a few years ago. The building also houses a handful of spacious apartments for private rentals and faculty use.

The last program in December was packed with in-classroom presentations, site visits, lively discussions and immersive experiences such as a Renaissance cooking class and film screenings. Each day included an hour of beginner language instruction focused on practical skills – like ordering an espresso. More advanced Italian speakers took part in a facilitated conversation class during that time. Each scholar was given a one-week metro pass to help them independently explore the city during their free time.

“Our last group was a fabulous collection of adventurous people,” said Amity Neumeister, 91�� Rome Center’s resident director. “Everyone was curious, engaged and genuinely excited to explore Rome through a different lens than what the typical tourist experience offers. We are excited to build on this model.”

The next two programs are scheduled for December 2026. The first is “Politics and Power in Italy: From Empire to Fascism and Beyond” which runs December 6-12, 2026 and “The Centenarians: A Food Studies Perspective on Mediterranean Lifestyle and Longevity” which runs December 13-19, 2026.

I had an amazing time. I spent a couple of days doing tours as a regular tourist before the program started, and then enjoyed every bit of the program. It was great to dive deeply into the Mussolini era, certain aspects of art history, architecture and language. It was also fantastic to be part of a wonderful cohort of interesting people with great instructors. — Past participant

The pair of sessions are scheduled back-to-back so it’s possible to extend the learning journey, delving deeper into the history, culture, and contemporary life of Rome. The deadline to apply is September 4, 2026.

For more information and to apply, visit the Scholars Abroad webpage.

Rankings: 91�� recognized as one of the best universities in the world

donnao3 — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 01:29:32 +0000

The 91�� recently was ranked highly among its global peers in both the and the . Both rankings were released in mid-June.

According to U.S. News, the 91�� is No. 12 in the world on the 2026-27 rankings, No. 3 among U.S. public institutions. The 91�� also placed in the top 10 globally in six subject areas.

On the QS World University Rankings, the 91�� is among the top 100, landing at No. 92, or No. 7 among U.S. public universities.

7 91�� students receive Fulbright exchange awards for study, research and teaching positions around the world

donnao3 — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:29:48 +0000

Seven 91�� students and recent alumni were awarded scholarships for the 2026–27 academic year, joining about 2,000 students and recent graduates from around the country to pursue graduate study, conduct research and teach English abroad.

The Fulbright scholarship program is the largest U.S. international exchange opportunity for students to pursue graduate study, advanced research and teaching in elementary and secondary schools worldwide.

The Fulbright awards speak to the talent, curiosity and global commitment of 91�� students, said 91�� Vice Provost for Global Affairs Ahmad Ezzeddine.

Wei Zuo joins 91�� Global to advance global learning and student success

donnao3 — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 19:39:36 +0000

Wei Zuo—global learning specialist, instructional consultant at the Center for Teaching and Learning, and Affiliate Assistant Professor in English—has built her career around a deep commitment to global learning. Now, in her new role with 91�� Global, she is helping faculty design learning experiences that foster students’ global competence.

At last week’s 91�� 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 91�� 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 91�� 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 91��. 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 91�� Global

With more than a decade of experience as an instructional consultant at 91��, 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 91�� 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. 91�� 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.

91�� partners with University of Helsinki for outdoor recreation and tourism research

donnao3 — Wed, 13 May 2026 22:18:05 +0000

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’s quality of life. As global leaders on computational research in this area, the Outdoor Recreation and Data Lab at the 91�� (91��) and the Digital Geography Lab at the University of Helsinki (UH) are teaming up to advance collaborative research on sustainable outdoor recreation and nature-based tourism.

2026 Excellence in Global Engagement awardee announced

donnao3 — Wed, 13 May 2026 00:02:45 +0000

Every year, the 91�� 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. 91�� 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 91�� Global Annual “Community Celebration” at the 91�� Club. The award honors faculty and staff at the 91�� for their leadership in global engagement and alternates each year between faculty and staff honorees. This year’s award honors a 91�� staff member who has led or undertaken activities that connect 91�� 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

Award recipient James Sherrell

91�� 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 91�� Medicine and beyond.

91�� President Robert Jones

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 91�� 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 91�� community whose leadership, service and dedication advance the 91��’s public mission,” said 91�� 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.”

91�� Global Community Celebration

“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

91�� Bioengineering Director of Academic Services Kalei Combs named Fulbright Scholar

donnao3 — Tue, 05 May 2026 23:18:14 +0000

91�� Bioengineering’s 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 91�� 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.

Jackson School Associate Director Stephen Meyers highlights programs that prepare students for global careers

donnao3 — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 17:36:51 +0000

At the April 91�� Global Community Conversations gathering—held the first Tuesday of each month at the 91�� Club—Vice 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’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 91�� faculty in the coming months who are interested in sharing their work and continuing the conversation with the group.

Digital Health in West Africa: Improving treatment and reducing symptom severity for people with serious mental illness

donnao3 — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 22:58:00 +0000

West Africa faces enormous mental health challenges, including lack of sufficient mental health professionals and clinical infrastructure, limited access to medication, and pervasive societal stigma around mental illness. 91�� 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.

Uncommon Grounds: Check out the cornucopia of the 91��’s uncommon classrooms, on campus, all over the Evergreen State and around the world

donnao3 — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 16:02:11 +0000

At the 91��, 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—and beyond—campus. These immersive locations are sites of fieldwork, research, creativity, inspiration and global connection.

91���� Global

Be a student again: 91����’s Scholars Abroad program in Rome, Italy is rich in cultural experiences

Rankings: 91���� recognized as one of the best universities in the world

7 91���� students receive Fulbright exchange awards for study, research and teaching positions around the world

Wei Zuo joins 91���� Global to advance global learning and student success

91���� partners with University of Helsinki for outdoor recreation and tourism research