THE CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION
Greetings from the director
AS THIS ANNUAL REPORT GOES TO PRESS, the Center for International Education is experiencing a mini lull amidst the otherwise frenetic pace that characterizes the start of the academic year. Under Hunter Swanson’s guidance and Kristy Reed’s administrative wizardry, we completed orientation for our largest ever class of first-year international students and sent them on their Leading Edge trips with the rest of the incoming class.
Working with the international students is a wonderful experience. We introduce them to American culture as well as university life and Washington and Lee. As the graphics in this volume indicate, the Admissions office draws students from across the globe. Thanks to those efforts, the number of international students has doubled in less than 10 years. Thanks to Hunter’s efforts, CIE has collaborated with Student Affairs to develop a robust program of alumni connections, career panels, break activity and advising on everything from taxes to immigration. Meanwhile, thanks to the energy of Jillian Murphy and Cindy Irby, respectively, Spring Term Abroad numbers continue to boom, and we are sending ever more students abroad during the academic year and summer. As August wanes, Jillian is already preparing the October info session for Spring Term 2025, and Cindy has already advised more than 100 students regarding Winter 2025 study abroad.
In January 2024, we welcomed our new office manager, Kristy Reed. She has brought incredible energy and organizational skills to the center as we have taken on administrative responsibility for housing our World Language Teaching Assistants (WLTA) and undertaken the refurbishing of a residence for visiting international scholars.
There is never a dull moment or typical day in the CIE. It’s a workplace with wonderful staff and a cohort of work-study and international students who make the center their second home. It’s heartwarming to be able to create a welcoming vibe for them. Sometimes, it’s a bit too heartwarming, and we have to remind them who actually owns the conference room. But, that’s a good problem to have.
In closing, we invite you to visit the center the next time you are on campus. Meanwhile, best wishes from Lexington.
Mark Rush Director of International Education
World Language Teaching Assistants 2023-24
In 2023-24, W&L hosted seven world language teaching assistants and instructors. The instructors, Kazuya Shirahama and Scarlett Li, worked with Japanese and Chinese, respectively. Their work entails teaching classes, holding office hours and assisting faculty with grading and departmental cultural activities. The teaching assistants work with French (Mariama Ba), Spanish (Marcos Demichelis), Arabic (Aseel Atalla), German (Hanna Vorreiter) and Portuguese (Beatryz de Araujo) and conduct language tables, office hours and cultural events. In 202324, two of our TAs, Atalla and Araujo came to us via the Fulbright program with which W&L has been working since 2016.
Ba, who worked with W&L for two years in French, will return to the U.S. to pursue her master’s degree in French language and literature and will pursue a Ph.D after finishing her M.A. Li, our Chinese language teaching assistant returns to W&L to serve as a visiting assistant professor in 2024-25.
Top row: Marcos Demichelis, Hanna Vorreiter, Beatryz de Araujo and Kazuya Shirahama
Bottom row: Aseel Atalla, Mariama Ba and Sijia (Scarlett) Li
2023-24 Gunn Scholar
LIZ MIRA SANTI
SSpending a year at Washington and Lee University on an international exchange opened doors for Haliza Maulida (Liz) Mira Santi ’24, allowing her to explore opportunities that expanded her worldview and reinforced her ambitions.
Santi first came to the United States in 2019 as a high school exchange student and appreciated the ability to explore different areas of interest both in and out of the classroom.
“I had a wonderful experience with the U.S. education system, and this made me curious about the learning experience in U.S. colleges, especially liberal arts colleges, because I am eager to explore areas beyond my major,” Santi said. “I was intrigued by the well-rounded experience, wanting to be in small classes and having engaging discussions with the professors.”
Santi’s search for a well-rounded liberal arts education led her straight to W&L; she was studying at Diponegoro University in her home country of Indonesia when she applied for and was awarded the Gunn Scholarship in 2023.
Established in 2000, the John M. Gunn International Scholarship invites eligible international students of exceptional academic, personal and professional promise to spend one year at W&L to augment the major studies they are engaged with at their home institutions. The scholarship pays the full tuition, room, board and transportation costs for one academic year. Gunn Scholars may come from any academic discipline, but preference is given to students who will focus some of their academic work in the Williams School and are interested in a liberal arts education.
An accounting major, Santi jumped right into W&L’s academic opportunities. She gets her academic motivation from her parents, who are both
teachers and have always encouraged her and her siblings to be high achievers. She credits her classes and professors at W&L with helping her streamline that motivation into a career path.
Santi is primarily interested in working in forensic accounting but wants to keep her options open, including possibly exploring investment banking. Her interest in forensic accounting was inspired by a course in business ethics she took during Fall Term 2023 with Megan Hess, associate professor of accounting. The course was centered around real-world cases, and Santi was reminded of Indonesia’s high corruption rate and how the corporate fraud committed by government institutions directly impacts the daily lives of Indonesia’s citizens. Despite — or even because
“I was intrigued by the well-rounded experience, wanting to be in small classes and having engaging discussions with the professors.”
of — these real connections Santi could make to the material, she called the course the “most fun learning experience for me so far,” and says it helped her realize that what she studies is important for the common good and that it is an altruistic act to keep learning about ethical business practices even after graduating college.
When not in the classroom, Santi spent quality time with her friends, either playing board games or watching movies on the third floor of Elrod
Commons, or exploring new places on the back campus. Santi also enjoyed attending the various cultural events hosted at W&L and appreciated the diversity she encountered on campus. She is also grateful for the support and guidance she had received from Hunter Swanson, associate director of international education, who helped her transition to W&L and continues to inspire her with how diversity has become an essential part of his life.
As for Swanson, being able to advise and support W&L’s international students makes his job incredibly rewarding, and he describes Santi – who also worked in the Center for International Education – as one of the most pleasant and respectful students he has ever met.
“Liz is truly a joy to be around,” Swanson said. “She is very mature, and I put a lot of trust in her. Liz made the most of her time at W&L both inside and outside the classroom. This Spring
Term, she took a geology course on the West Coast, and throughout the year she was active in building community and learning about the local area through the W&L Friendship Family Program.”
From the moment she stepped on campus for International Student Orientation, Santi was confident she made the right choice to spend a year at W&L. Meeting the other international students and beginning the adjustment to life at W&L became a strong foundation for her determination to experience a challenging academic environment and build community with the people around her.
“I met so many wonderful people from many different countries, some of whom have become the most important people in my life,” Santi said. “It reminded me of my exchange experience in 2019, and how making friends with people worldwide is always fun.” ■
Certificate of International Immersion 2024
In 2024, the Center for International Education and the International Education Committee selected seven seniors to receive the Certificate of International Immersion in recognition of their outstanding engagement with global education. In the following pages, we present the biographical statements of each recipient that were read at the annual ceremony.
EMMA CONOVER
In spring 2022, Emma embarked on a journey to Seville, Spain, as part of the Seville and the Foundations of Spanish Civilization class. This experience laid the groundwork for her subsequent explorations, fostering a curiosity for cultural immersion and academic discovery.
Fall 2022 took Emma to Ecuador for a fivemonth program titled “Development, Politics, and Languages.” Through homestays, traditional courses in Quito and independent research, Emma gained a multifaceted understanding of Ecuadorian society. Her coursework, particularly Paradigms of Development and Political Discourse in Ecuador, challenged conventional perspectives and ignited a passion for critical discourse surrounding development narratives.
Emma’s independent research in Otavalo, a small mountain town, provided a unique lens into indigenous communities and traditional agricultural practices. This experience deeply influenced her academic trajectory, inspiring her poverty studies capstone on traditional ecological knowledge and guiding her toward an internship with the U.S. Department of State focused on international agricultural policy.
Living with host families in Ecuador, Emma embraced the opportunity to immerse herself in the local culture. Her close relationships with host nationals challenged her perceptions and highlighted the importance of cultural understanding. Emma’s experiences underscored the danger of a single narrative, emphasizing the need for diverse perspectives in global discourse.
Phoebe Knag, Emma Conover, Berkeley Wall, Naila Rahman, Eman Muamar and Kelly Hayes
Not pictured: Neissa Usanase
KELLY HAYES
During her sophomore Spring Term in 2022, Kelly participated in a program studying childhood policies and practices in the Danish education system. This experience laid the foundation for her future academic explorations. She then spent a semester in Barcelona where she not only immersed herself in her studies but also embraced the opportunity to visit 10 countries, enriching her understanding of global dynamics.
In her junior year, Kelly embarked on a journey to Ghana to create a field documentary on human rights issues. This hands-on experience provided invaluable insights into the intersection of film, social justice and cross-cultural understanding.
She went on to intern through the London Internship Program, balancing practical work experience with rigorous coursework, honing her skills in a professional setting while navigating the complexities of a dynamic global city.
Kelly’s final academic adventure was to Cuba during this Spring Term, where she studied social entrepreneurship and sustainable development. This experience served as the culmination of her academic journey, merging theoretical knowledge with real-world application.
Reflecting on her experiences, Kelly feels endlessly blessed, each memory a testament to the transformative power of stepping outside one’s comfort zone. From the bustling streets of Barcelona to rural Denmark, each destination offered not just academic enrichment but a profound journey of self-discovery.
PHOEBE KNAG
During Phoebe’s semester abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark, she formed deep connections with her Danish roommates, embracing the concept of hygge and navigating cultural nuances with grace. These small moments of cultural immersion fueled her understanding of life in a foreign
environment and shaped her perspective on global issues.
In Copenhagen, Phoebe delved into courses that provided a global lens on her academic disciplines. Classes in Economics of Crime and Environmental Economics sparked her interest in environmental law and carbon markets. This newfound passion led her to secure a post-grad position at Advanced Resources International, where she is contributing to carbon sequestration efforts.
Her academic journey extended beyond the classroom, with study tours to Møns Klint and Kangerlussuaq in Greenland. These immersive experiences, studying ice cores and Arctic glaciology, provided firsthand insights into climate change research and the impact of global warming on Greenlandic communities.
Back at Washington and Lee University, Phoebe continued to integrate her international experience into her coursework. In Sedimentology and Stratigraphy, she drew upon her experiences in Greenland to propose a research project on the Kangerlus-
“This transformative experience not only enhanced her technical skills but also deepened her appreciation for storytelling as a means of social change.”
suaq fjordic delta, earning recognition for her unique international perspective. Additionally, her statistical research project on maternal health in the U.S. was inspired by her observations of Denmark’s approach to prenatal care and midwifery during her Danish Language and Culture class.
EMAN MUAMAR
In her freshman year at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, Eman’s international education began with a foundation in programming, cognitive and behavioral science and math, and math courses, laying the groundwork for her subsequent academic adventures. In her sophomore year, she delved into the literary and cultural milieu of Paris through the Black Writers and the Allure of Paris program.
However, it was Eman’s junior year spent at Oxford University that truly defined her academic and personal growth. Immersed in the vibrant intellectual environment of Oxford, Eman became actively involved in the Oxford Finance Society, where she engaged with students from diverse academic backgrounds and gained insights into global financial trends and economic policies.
On an academic level, Eman’s interactions with professors, tutors and Ph.D. students fueled her passion for macroeconomics and inspired her to pursue further studies, including a Ph.D.
Eman’s cultural immersion at Oxford was equally profound, as she engaged with individuals from various cultural backgrounds. Participating in cultural activities, such as volunteering to teach Arabic and being an active member of the Oxford Language Immersion Club, allowed her to forge meaningful connections and gain a deeper appreciation for linguistic diversity.
Upon her return to W&L, Eman’s studyabroad experiences continued to influence her academic and professional pursuits. As a career fellow, she shared her experiences of studying abroad, inspiring others to embark on their own journeys. Additionally, her time abroad significantly influenced the topic of her honors thesis, where she applied the knowledge and skills gained at Oxford to her empirical analysis.
NAILA RAHMAN
Beginning with her semester at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, Naila embarked on her international academic journey amidst
the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these obstacles, she actively engaged in cultural exchange with Scottish peers, fostering discussions on topics ranging from mythology to global health care systems. This experience laid the foundation for Naila’s subsequent international adventures, instilling in her a deep appreciation for cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue.
“This hands-on approach to cultural engagement not only enhanced
Naila’s understanding of Danish culture but also broadened her perspectives on education and child development.”
Her Spring Term in Copenhagen provided a more structured framework for cultural immersion, as she delved into Danish educational practices while actively participating in local sports and learning basic Danish.
Naila’s summer internship in Berlin marked her first professional experience abroad, offering her insights into cross-cultural communication and teamwork in a multicultural environment.
The pinnacle of Naila’s international academic journey was her year-long tenure at the University of Oxford, where she fully immersed herself in the vibrant academic and cultural life of one of the world’s most prestigious institutions. In addition to academic pursuits, Naila actively contributed to the Oxford community through her involvement in outreach initiatives and student organizations.
Throughout her international experiences, Naila demonstrated a proactive approach to cultural immersion, living with native speakers, engaging deeply with host communities, and actively seeking out opportunities for cross-cultural exchange. This journey of cultural appreciation not only enriched Naila’s personal growth but also deepened her understanding of global issues and perspectives.
NEISSA USANASE
Neissa’s studies abroad began at St. Andrews University in Scotland where she delved into British and Scottish literature, exploring works that provided insights into the cultural nuances of the United Kingdom. This immersive exploration sparked her interest in European studies, inspiring her to further explore the interconnectedness of history, language, and art. Once at W&L, she deepened her understanding of cultural similarities between Ireland and Scotland through a course on Irish history and folklore.
Neissa’s international experiences extended beyond Europe to Ghana, where she participated in a spring term study abroad program focused on documentary filmmaking. Collaborating with classmates, Neissa engaged with Ghanaian communities, weaving traditional arts and dance into her documentary work. This transformative experience not only enhanced her technical skills but also deepened her appreciation for storytelling as a means of social change. Additionally, her volunteer work as a tutor for kindergarten and middle school students in Ghana ignited a passion for education and community outreach, leading her to continue her service as a reading tutor at Waddell Elementary School.
Following her time in Ghana, Neissa embarked on a summer internship at the University of Münster in Germany as a DAAD RISE fellow. Immersed in a vibrant research environment, she conducted research on developing a non-hormonal contraception drug for biological males. This experience exposed her to advanced laboratory techniques and
fostered connections with fellow scholars from around the world.
BERKELEY WALL
During her first semester abroad in Arica, Chile, Berkeley studied Public Health, Indigenous Medicine and Community Empowerment, fully immersing herself in Spanish language and Chilean culture. Living with a host family and exploring various regions of the country, Berkeley connected with the community through her passion for running and rock climbing. Her involvement in local races and rock-climbing gyms provided opportunities for linguistic and cultural exchange, while her internship with migrants exposed her to the diverse perspectives and experiences of individuals from across Latin America.
In her second semester abroad, Berkeley embarked on an international honors program with SIT, studying International Food Systems in Ecuador, Malawi and Barcelona. Despite the fast-paced nature of her travels, Berkeley continued to engage with local communities, living with local roommates and in homestays, and immersing herself in the multifaceted complexities of food systems. This experience broadened her understanding of global issues and reinforced her commitment to sustainability and agricultural advocacy.
Returning to Washington & Lee, Berkeley remained deeply connected to the lessons learned abroad. She maintained relationships with host families and friends from around the world, continued her Spanish language practice as a cultural assistant in Casa Hispanica and actively engaged with sustainability and agricultural groups to further her understanding of Latin American cultures and global food trade partnerships. Her senior capstone project focusing on global food trade partners reflected her commitment to applying her international experiences to academic pursuits and future career aspirations. ■
Global Learning Leadership Award 2024 DIWESH KUMAR
DDiwesh Kumar ’24 received the 2024 Global Learning Leadership Award. The award is presented annually to a student in the undergraduate senior class who manifests the values, aspirations and spirit of global learning.
“I am truly honored and grateful to be receiving this award from CIE, as they were the first group of people I interacted with after my admission, and they were so instrumental throughout my time here, from navigating getting to the U.S. during Covid shutdowns to my post-graduation plans to everything in between,” said Kumar. “Everyone at CIE is so thoughtful and understanding and selflessly helpful, and I’m just very grateful for all they’ve done for me and every international student on campus.”
A mathematics and economics double major from Karachi, Pakistan, Kumar pursued diverse international educational opportunities during his time at W&L. He was set to enter the university as a first-year student in fall 2020, but like all incoming international students, the COVID-19 pandemic delayed his entry to the U.S. Consequently, he and the other incoming W&L international students began their collegiate experience abroad at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. There, Kumar served as a student leader until the group arrived in Lexington for the start of Winter Term 2021.
He studied abroad again for Spring Term 2022, this time traveling to Copenhagen, Denmark, where he explored childhood education in Scandinavia. He then studied at the prestigious University of Oxford, engaging in rigorous tutorials in both math and economics, during Fall Term 2022.
In the following year, Diwesh shared an overview of W&L’s Honor System and student governance structures with new international students
during orientation. He also organized a reunion for the special cohort of international students who studied at the University of St. Andrews for the Fall Term in 2020.
“My study abroad opportunities shaped my overall experience at W&L and put many things in perspective,” said Kumar. “I was able to expand on my academic and social interests and saw all that different parts of the world have to offer. It helped me rekindle my passion for learning, but, more importantly, the time away from W&L made me truly appreciate the school and the Lexington community. And so, when I returned, I fully immersed myself in all the different aspects of W&L life.”
Following graduation from W&L, Kumar began working in investment banking for Morgan Stanley’s San Francisco office. ■
The St. Andrews First-Year Cohort
Washington and Lee University’s 2024 commencement ceremony marked the completion of a college journey that began, for the Class of 2024, in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. And for several of this year’s graduating class, that journey began at the University of St. Andrews, in Scotland.
In early July 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic worsened around the world, incoming international students were unsure whether they would be allowed to travel to the United States to matriculate at Washington and Lee. The university decided that these students should have the option to start their first semester at St. Andrews, with whom W&L has partnered since 2001 to provide study abroad experiences for students.
Mark Rush, W&L’s director of international education, recounted the actions the center took in response to the pandemic. While working to accommodate the many international students who were stuck in the U.S. or on campus as a result of the pandemic, his team realized they would need to start troubleshooting for the incoming class, who they knew would face tremendous challenges as they tried to get to the U.S.
“In a staff meeting, we joked that it would almost be easier to send the students to St. Andrews, but then we realized that because British consular services had maintained more staff and because St. Andrews had kept to its normal academic calendar, there was a real chance that our first-year international students could enroll there in person for the Fall Term,” Rush said. “We knew this would enable them to bond as a group, have an in-person experience in their first term at university and take actions necessary to get to the U.S. in time to start Winter Term.”
Diwesh Kumar ’24, from Karachi, Pakistan, said the opportunity to attend St. Andrews was a welcome alternative to letting the pandemic further impede his academic journey.
“My thought process at the time was, ‘Do I stay behind in Pakistan and try virtual classes with a nine-hour time difference, or do I go to St. Andrews,’” said Kumar. “I knew I would at least get to experience a different country with everyone else, and I wanted to start my college experience in whatever capacity was possible — I think that was sort of the thought process for everyone at the time.”
Top row: Amy Qian, Diwesh Kumar, Naila Rahman, Oskar Freiherr von Mandelsloh, Mohamed Elhussiny, Andy Wong, Eman Muamar, Giang Nguyen and Danish Bokhari
Bottom row: Jacopo Scagliotti, Sharif Wilson and Charlene Nsengimana
Kumar, who served as vice president of the Executive Committee, said the group had created Snapchat and GroupMe threads throughout the summer leading up to their arrival in Edinburgh and were in touch as members of the group began to arrive and quarantine in advance of beginning classes. Many in the group fondly remember walks on the East Sands beach between classes, as well as an outing to London to complete visa documentation.
“He did a great job of keeping us all in the loop and helping us prepare for our arrival on campus.”
Rwanda native Charlene Nsengimana ’24 said that in addition to the lifelong bonds she has with her St. Andrews classmates, she is most grateful for the support she received from Washington and Lee’s Center for International Education and credits Hunter Swanson, associate director of international education, for keeping the group connected to Lexington throughout their first fall term.
“Hunter does an amazing job for international students on our campus,” Nsengimana said. “We had constant communication with his office while we were in Scotland. He did a great job of keeping us all in the loop and helping us prepare for our arrival on campus.”
CIE kept in touch with the group regularly via Zoom meetings and had current students on campus in Lexington make care packages to send to St. Andrews. W&L students who were studying at St. Andrews at the same time helped coordinate the surprise and also communicated to the new students what to expect when arriving at W&L. CIE also helped with the planning for the trip to apply for the U.S. student visa in the U.K. and planned a special orientation program before the start of the Winter Term.
“This group of students put a lot of trust in W&L at a very uncertain time, so we wanted to make sure that they felt prepared and confident as they made the transition from St. Andrews to W&L,” Swanson said.
Nsengimana said that in looking back on her college experience, the positives outweigh the negatives. “I’ve had amazing experiences every step of the way,” Nsengimana said. “When I reflect on the harder parts of it, I also remember that I got the opportunity to grow close to this great group of people and got the chance to live in Scotland for four months — looking back, you only really remember the positives.”
Andy Wong ’24 said that his experiences at W&L only continued to confirm his choice to attend a small liberal arts institution.
He took the opportunity to study abroad again during his junior year at the University of Oxford and says that experience as well as his time at St. Andrews made him appreciate W&L even more.
“I think the opportunities, resources, mentorships and global experiences I have received at W&L are unparalleled to any other school I could have attended,” Wong said.
“Looking back, it is tremendously rewarding to see how the university was able to organize from within and coordinate such a wonderful response to the pandemic that enabled our international students to have as ‘normal’ a Fall Term as possible,” Rush said. “Our staff, our students already at St. Andrews and, of course, the staff at St. Andrews made it possible not only to get our students together despite the pandemic, but also to form a bond with W&L from afar. In the ‘Aeneid’, when things were really going badly for his crew, Aeneas said that one day they all would look back on their tribulations and laugh. Happily, our international students and the faculty and staff at W&L and St. Andrews can look back, laugh and smile, and take pride in the efforts that made the first year a memorable one for our international students who came to us in 2020-21.” ■
Speaks on Middle East War, Global Affairs KAPLAN
Globally acclaimed author and journalist
Robert Kaplan delivered a lecture titled “Between Empire and Anarchy from the Mediterranean to China” on on Nov. 8 in the University Chapel. The event was sponsored by the Center for International Education, the Office of the Provost, the Williams School of Commerce, Economics, and Politics and the Department of Politics.
Kaplan serves as the Robert Strausz-Hupe Chair in Geopolitics at the Foreign Policy Research Institute and is the bestselling author of 22 books on foreign affairs and travel that have been translated into several languages, including “The Good American” and “The Revenge of Geography.” During his visit, Kaplan also met with the Middle East Politics class taught by Seth Cantey, associate professor of politics and head of W&L’s Middle East and South Asia Studies Program.
“The power and scope of Kaplan’s writing are remarkable,” said Mark Rush, Stanley D. and Nikki Wax berg Professor of Politics and Law and director of international education. “He has
offered important insights from the street level of virtually every part of the world. His predictions have been accurate and his observations profound. His most recent work — ‘The Loom of Time’ — offers sweeping insights into the history and future of the continents of Asia, Africa and Europe. His talk was a great event for the university and the community.”
Before joining the Foreign Policy Research Institute, Kaplan reported on foreign affairs for The Atlantic for three decades and was a member of the Pentagon’s Defense Policy Board and the U.S. Navy’s Executive Panel. Foreign Policy magazine twice named him one of the world’s “Top 100 Global Thinkers,” and The New York Times has placed Kaplan among the four “most widely read” authors defining the post-Cold War era.
“Kaplan is a giant in the world of international affairs,” Cantey said. “His insights on developments in the Middle East and beyond are always valuable, and we are especially lucky to hear from him now.” ■
Offers Global Perspectives on Judicial Activism MATHEN
Carissima Mathen , professor of law at the University of Ottawa School of Law (and now a member of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario), delivered a lecture titled “Dilemmas of Democracy: Curbing the Courts in the United States and Canada” on Monday, Nov. 13 in Leyburn Library’s Northen Auditorium. The lecture was sponsored by the Center for International Education, the Office of the Provost, the Department of Politics and the Law, Justice, and Society Program.
Mathen is a noted international scholar on constitutional law and has written extensively on constitutional law, criminal law and the politics of court appointments. In her talk, she discussed court curbing in the United States and Canada, a practice that aims to limit judicial independence and court authority. During her visit to W&L, she also met with students in the Law, Justice, and Society Program to discuss challenges in regulating harmful speech on social media.
“Carissima Mathen is a leading light in the study of constitutional law,” said Mark Rush, director of the CIE and the Stanley D. and Nikki Waxberg Professor of Politics and Law. “She is an award-winning author and analyst of Canadian constitutionalism and has written extensively on contemporary issues in constitutional law around the world.”
Mathen’s work addresses the challenges of regulating social media and attempts by Canadian provinces to restrict the power of the judiciary. She received the Law Society Medal in 2018, one of the highest honors granted by the Ontario Bar Association, and the government of Ontario recently bestowed upon her the 2022 David W. Mundell Medal, citing her “outstanding contribution to legal writing in the field of Canadian constitutional law.” In May 2024, Mathen was appointed to the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario in Toronto. ■
Conducts Master Dance Class FOSTER-SPROULL
The Center for International Education and Washington and Lee University welcomed choreographer Sarah Foster-Sproull to campus as the Pemberton Visiting Scholar in the Department of Theater, Dance and Film. Her week-long residency began on Jan. 29, and she conducted a master class in contemporary dance technique on Jan. 30.
Foster-Sproull is a senior lecturer in dance studies at the University of Auckland in New Zealand and the artistic director of Foster Group Dance, which has been funded by Creative New Zealand since 2015. She was also appointed choreographer in residence at the Royal Ballet of New Zealand in 2020 and has previously worked with the Centre for Ballet and the Arts at New York University and the New York Choreographic Institute, affiliated with the New York City Ballet.
Foster-Sproull’s choreographic research ranges from large-scale works designed for up to 100 performers to intimate performances involving only one or two dancers. Her teaching practice
focuses on movement as a tool for connection, humor and self-expression, and her Jan. 30 master class emphasized conversation, experimentation and practice. Participants worked through a range of release-based phrases using creative analogies and music to encourage engagement with their own movement interests.
During her residency on campus, Foster-Sproull worked with 20 students in the W&L Repertory Dance Company, teaching them an intricate and long piece of choreography titled “Forgotten Things.” This piece was created by students at the New Zealand School of Dance. The W&L Repertory Dance Company performed it during their March 2024 program.
Foster-Sproull is a graduate of the New Zealand School of Dance and holds a doctorate in creative practice from the University of Auckland. Her choreographic work has been performed internationally, and during her career as a performer, she was a founding dancer and choreographer of the New Zealand Dance Company. ■
Davis Projects for Peace Grant 2024 HAMZA ZIA
HHamza Zia ’26 received a Davis Projects for Peace grant for work he conducted in summer 2024 with the PINK Center Project, an organization dedicated to supporting and advocating for Pakistan’s transgender community. Zia is an engineering major and mathematics and education minor from Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
As a partner school of the Davis United World College Scholars Program, W&L is eligible to receive Davis Projects for Peace grants. The program is funded by the late Kathryn Wasserman Davis, who established it on her 100th birthday in 2007 to challenge young people to plant seeds of peace throughout the world with innovative projects.
“To me, the Davis Projects for Peace grant signifies a pivotal milestone in my endeavor to establish Pakistan’s first ever trans-led and trans-based social enterprise model,” Zia said. “Beyond mere financial assistance, this grant symbolizes a vote of confidence in my unwavering commitment to fostering economic justice and inclusion for one of the most vulnerable and ostracized communities within my homeland.”
Zia’s project, titled “PINK: Promoting Transgender Inclusion for Economic Justice,” outlines an economic stimulus empowerment package for Pakistan’s transgender community through the formal establishment of a production unit for transgender individuals to start mass production of hand-embroidered bags, as well as an e-commerce platform to launch the startup on a national level. “By providing a supportive, inclusive workspace and equipping transgender individuals with entrepreneurial skills, I aim to
not only create employment opportunities for the marginalized community at hand but also sow the seeds of sustainable, long-term change,” Zia said.
“Hamza’s selection as a Davis grant recipient is a testament to the quality of his work and commitment to social change,” said Mark
“He is a natural leader with creative, context-driven ideas for combating marginalization in his home country.”
Rush, the director of international education at W&L and the Stanley D. and Nikki Waxberg Professor of Politics and Law. “He is a natural leader with creative, context-driven ideas for combating marginalization in his home country.”
With the Davis grant, Zia’s current project consisted of two sequential phases that took place over 10 weeks in the area around Zakariya Town, Multan, in collaboration with the PINK Center and Saro Imran, a Pakistani trans rights activist.
The project is an extension of Zia’s past efforts to create economic opportunities for Pakistan’s transgender community and advocate for a more equitable and just society. Last summer, he received a Center
for International Education summer grant and Johnson Enhancement funding to travel to Pakistan to provide training sessions in social entrepreneurship, business management and microenterprises to communities across the country. This venture paved the way for the formation of PINK, which aims to provide economic empowerment to Pakistan’s transgender community by creating a startup where individuals design, manufacture and sell high-quality traditional hand-embroidered bags. In August 2023, Zia presented PINK at the Rising Stars of Pakistan startup competition and pitched the concept at the Prime Minister National Innovation Award, Pakistan’s biggest and most competitive startup contest.
Zia is grateful for the opportunity to continue his economic empowerment efforts in Pakistan and to be “an agent of positive transformation and a voice for the marginalized.”
“Receiving the Davis grant is a humbling affirmation of my social advocacy efforts and my dedication to gender equality,” Zia said. “And most importantly, it serves as a reminder that even in the face of deeply ingrained societal norms and systemic obstacles, there are those who recognize the urgency of my cause and the potential for the impact it holds on itself.” ■
This map represents the scope and diversity of our nearly 180-strong 2024-25 international student population.
W&L Welcomes the World.
W&L sends students to every continent except Antarctica. In 2023-24, we sent more than 500 students abroad throughout the academic year and summer.
Oh, The Places You’ll Go.
STUDY ABROAD BY ACADEMIC YEAR
NUMBER OF ENROLLED INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS, 2017-2024
Global Education by the Numbers Business is Booming
THE GRAPHS ON THESE PAGES provide an overview of the scope and growth of global education activity in the CIE. Spring Term remains a signature part of the W&L experience, and we continue to serve nearly 300 students every Spring. Study abroad numbers have reached and exceeded our pre-COVID peak. Meanwhile, our international student population has more than doubled since 2017.
CIE Collaborations
End-of-Year venture to Safari Park with international students, teaching assistants and CIE staff.
Center for International Education Staff
Mark Rush Director, Waxberg Professor of Politics and Law rushm@wlu.edu
Cindy Irby Associate Director and Study Abroad Advisor cirby@wlu.edu
Kristy Reed Office Manager, Center for International Education kreed@wlu.edu
Hunter Swanson Associate Director and International Student and Scholar Advisor hswanson@wlu.edu
Jillian Murphy Assistant Director and Study Abroad Coordinator jmurphy@wlu.edu
The Center for International Education 204 W. Washington St. Lexington, Virginia 24450 go.wlu.edu/global
Spring Term Abroad 2024: Top Left, Portugal; Center Left, Cuba; Center, Seoul; Right: Bordeaux; Bottom: Paris.