The start of this academic year marks a time of renewal for ISS as we welcome new staff and faculty, continue building our core curriculum, explore new ways to support students, and launch a new marketing campaign: Finish Husky Strong!
As our students know, we are all about degree completion. Yes, we want our students to immerse themselves in the best our social science faculty have to offer, becoming deeply knowledgeable and engaged citizens at a time when the world really needs them. But we never lose sight of the prize – that beautiful UW diploma that commands respect and opens doors. And it’s the same diploma that every UW grad receives, because ISSers are true Huskies to the bone. I’m reminded of that at every graduation celebration when the Husky pride lights up the room. The strength and resilience of our students also shine brightly. The heartfelt stories told at graduation bear witness to the courage and determination of our students who balance school, work, family, and a host of other challenges to get that UW bachelor’s degree.
Also in this issue of The Integrator, we hope you enjoy the introductions for new Assistant Teaching Professor J.P. Anderson who will join our core faculty this fall, and Thor Locania who began as Admissions and Outreach Adviser in January. We’re excited about all the fresh energy and ideas that our new team members are bringing to ISS. Equally exciting is the big revision of the ISS portfolio courses that unfolded over the 2024-25 academic year. This year we will continue to refine those courses as they are taught by different faculty members and as we receive feedback from students. We’re particularly interested in seeing the results of the new project in ISS 401 called ISS in the World, an assignment that asks students to put their social science expertise into practice by creating a work of public scholarship.
Speaking of fresh energy, we are delighted with the work done this past year by the first group of Peer Support Program leaders Emilie Lopez, Kala Ballasonne, and Jonas Wabenga. The mission of PSP is to support all first-quarter ISS students, build community, and share knowledge about how to thrive in the program. We look forward to welcoming a new group of PSP leaders this fall. If you have questions about becoming a PSP leader - a paid position, by the way - please reach out to Assistant Director of Academic Services, Michelle Bagshaw.
Thank you to all who support the ISS program and enable our students to Finish Husky Strong!
