A newsletter for ISS students, alumni, faculty, and staff.

Vol. 2, Issue 4 // Summer Quarter 2019

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Spotlight: ISS Graduation

   

HANNAH, J. (2019). GO WITH ALL YOUR HEART                                HANNAH, J. (2019). DR. RIVENBURGH ADDRESSES THE GRADUATES

ISS celebrated commencement for our 70 graduates this year with 29 new alumni who were able to attend the Seattle campus ceremony on June 16 at Kane Hall. ISS co-director Mel Wensel initiated the festivities with heartfelt expressions of admiration and appreciation for the program and the extraordinary students that the program serves. Two special guest speakers shared with an audience of over 150 comments inspired by the unique community. Nancy Rivenburgh, Professor of Communication, who offers two popular ISS courses, paid tribute to the courage endemic to every graduate’s pursuit of the degree and offered enthusiastic encouragement for graduates to continue to choose to live creatively.  

Dr. George Lovell, Dean of UW Social Sciences, zeroed in on his appreciation for the high rigor of ISS courses, even conceding that campus-based programs might have a thing or two to learn from the way ISS uses core courses to establish an intellectual culture supporting rigorous engagement in the thematic courses. Both Dean Lovell and Professor Rivenburgh's eloquent comments added to the celebratory cadence of the ceremony. Graduates, as well as their families and friends, enjoyed delicious pastries and fruit while they gathered with their cohort to digest their collective, remarkable achievements. Congratulations to all 2019 graduates!

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Student Comments Highlight Gratitude

    

HANNAH, J. (2019). BRIDGET AND CARRIE                                      HANNAH, J.. (2019). "TOOK ME 40 YEARS"

The most compelling and poignant moments were provided by the students, who graciously shared stories about the paths that allowed them to cross the threshold to degree completion at the UW. Their stories attest to the grit it takes to overcome challenges that befront distant learners and were filled with details of despair, humor, pride, and humility. At the same time, student stories were unified by the salience of gratitude for all those who supported their journey toward degree completion.  

Alexis Newman, whose graduation advice is “Never judge a book by its movie,” expressed gratitude for the opportunity to continue her UW education without having to compromise other important life values. Especially appreciative of ISS rigor, particularly the “core courses” which helped her “map through social science reasoning,” Alexis feels prepared to excel in her job as Guest Services Coordinator for a language and travel company.

HANNAH, J.. (2019). GRADUATES THANK FAMILY AND FRIENDS

Tina Torres, who joined ISS in its inaugural year, articulated how her journey through ISS was so very “unexpected” for the intellectual tools it provided to her. Recalling how her life felt fragmented at the time she began the program, Tina credited her exposure to different perspectives for strengthening her own. She specifically cited how learning about the way social scientists look at issues such as “ethics or media framing” figures in her career in global security and IT. Finally, Tina expressed gratitude--and wonder--that she would leave her graduation ceremony a bit early to attend that of her son’s, who graduated from the UW with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Students consistently demonstrated appreciation to the faculty, advisers, and their graduating cohort--with whom they have interacted on discussion forums, for the role they played in their intellectual growth throughout the program. Ramon Bentley’s warm and rousing advice to his ISS graduating peers encapsulates the deep sense of positivity generated by ISS: “Listen less to your doubts and more to your aspirations.”

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Two students, Cristina Sposito and Cristian Rivas Gibson, were recognized for exemplary portfolios submitted during the 2018-2019 academic year in the final capstone course, ISS 401. The winning portfolios, which represent the culmination of ISS core course objectives, were chosen by a faculty and staff committee on the basis of how they demonstrate a refined capacity to compellingly synthesize and evaluate their broad and rich learning experiences. Congratulations to the winners!

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Calling All Contributors

Integrator Innovations

Forward Facing

• Autumn registration is open now for all current ISS students and we encourage you to register soon! We have started welcoming a new cohort of students for autumn start and they will be given registration access over the next few weeks.

• We are in the process of preparing an end-of-year survey for all students. We are so thankful for your feedback and do implement changes based on your comments. Please keep an eye out for an email from us this summer.

Noteworthy News

• The ISS program has a brand new student testimonial video we are excited to share with all you! If you are on social media, know someone who has considered completing their bachelor’s degree, or want to share with others a little bit about your studies we encourage you to share the video with others.

• ISS students can participate in UW Faculty-led Study Abroad Programs. If you are interested in exploring study abroad options, visit this page and search for programs by term. And remember that your financial aid award may be applied to cover study abroad expenses.

Fantastic Faculty

• ISS Faculty Dr. Nancy Rivenburgh (COM 318: The Creative Advantage and COM 325: Communication, Cities, and Sustainability) has published a new book with Patricia Chase, Envisioning Better Cities: A Global Tour of Good Ideas. We will be holding a raffle for a copy at noon Pacific on August 12, 2019! To enter, email us at ISSADV@uw.edu. 

• The UW Simpson Center for the Humanities recently profiled ISS Faculty Dr. Ralina Joseph (AES/COM/GWSS 489: Black Cultural Studies) and her work in teaching others how to talk about race and in her course Interrupting Privilege. Give it a read! 

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