Global Connections Fall 2025 by Rockford University

GLOBAL CONNECTIONS

Jane addams day of service

progressive dinner

saudi natoinal day apple orchard

Homecoming

Study Abroad fair

THE OFFICE OF GLOBAL AFFAIRS

Daniel Nord

OGA Assistant Director

Maria Diemer OGA Executive Director

Lori Drummond

ESL Instructor

Gul Pembe (Rose) Ulas, ESL Instructor

Julie Griffith

OGA Associate Director

Terri Anderson ESL Instructor

ESL Instructor

Blanche Norris

THE OFFICE OF GLOBAL AFFAIRS

FALL 2025 STUDENT WORKERS

Suvd- Erdene Byamba

Mongolia

MBA Graduate Assistant

Thamer Alharthi

Saudi Arabia

Senior

Computer ScienceCriminal Justice

Wesley Pritzlaff

U.S.A.

Sophomore Business Admin.

Remya Palakkeel Meethaleveedu

India

Junior Nursing

Mateo Fernandez Solari

Argentina

MBA - Finance Graduate Assistant

Saudi Arabia

Senior

Computer Science

Maya Magharbi

Saudi Arabia

Junior Nursing

Ali Albu Jubarah

Saudi Arabia

Senior

Computer ScienceCriminal Justice

Emil Lucchese U.S.A

History Freshman Intern

HOMECOMING TAILGATE Celebrating&MakingConnections

One of my favorite things we did this semester was our tailgating event during homecoming week. It wasn't just about cheering for our teams or having fun at the festival. It was also a great chance for us, as the Saudi Club, to show off our culture and represent our country to the people of Rockford. People from all over campus came by our booth as soon as we set it up to learn more about Saudi Arabia. We proudly hung our flag, wore our traditional clothes, and decorated our space with cultural items that showed of the Kingdom's rich history and heritage. It was so heartwarming to see how excited people were when they tried Arabic coffee, dates, and sweets for the first time.

Ali Albujubarah Saudi Club President

A lot of students and teachers came to talk to us about Saudi traditions. We liked telling them about how our ancestors lived and how they valued kindness, unity, and respect. People who couldn't make it to our Saudi National Day celebration had a special chance to learn about our customs and the warmth of Saudi hospitality at this event. Everyone was so eager to learn. It was great to see. Some people even asked to take pictures with our flag and clothes, which showed that they appreciated our effort to bring a piece of our home to Rockford. We were proud as a club that we could bring people from different cultures together and help them have meaningful conversations. Homecoming reminded us that college is about more than just going to class. It's also about making friends, getting to know each other, and celebrating diFerences. We felt seen and respected when we represented Saudi Arabia at this event, and it made us want to keep sharing our culture at other university events. We want to thank the OFice of Global AFairs and all the students who helped us. This day will always be in our minds as a time of unity, pride, and happiness when we showed what it means to be Saudi at Rockford University.

GEOCACHING

By: Wesley Pritzlaff - International Liaison

After fall break, the fun continued at OGA, as a group of RU international students and staff embarked on a Geocaching Scavenger Hunt around Baumann Park in Cherry Valley, Illinois. We began by splitting up into two teams and explored the park in search of hidden caches and treasures. Using only a few clues, the afternoon was full of fun, teamwork, and plenty of photo-worthy moments. We then took a short walk to downtown Cherry Valley, where we enjoyed some laughs and delicious pizza together. This event gave students a chance to unwind after midterms, socialize with fellow international friends, and explore the greater Rockford area, creating lasting memories and a bit of history along the way!

What is Geocaching? Geocaching is a real-world, high-tech treasure hunt where you search for hidden treasures found in various places around the world. These caches can come in all shapes, sizes, and levels of difficulty. Many of the caches we were looking for were tricky to discover, but our clever team of international explorers managed to collect all the treasures placed by OGA staff, even discovering a few official caches on the Geocaching app as well. For many international students, myself, and everyone involved, this event was a great opportunity to explore the local area, but was more so a chance to connect and develop our multicultural skills. Core values of OGA and being a International Liaison. Overall, the event was such a success, and I look forward to our next adventure!

COOKING WITHCHRISTY

Rolling into Community with Flavor:

This month, the Multicultural Club hosted Cooking with Christy—a cultural, educational, and friendly celebration led by Vietnamese student Christy. “I had the joy of inviting everyone to gather and learn how to make Vietnamese spring rolls—a dish known for its freshness, harmony, and beautiful simplicity,” she shared.

Christy began the evening by talking about the culture surrounding spring rolls in Vietnam, explaining how they represent family, celebration, and connection. “I wanted everyone to not only learn how to make them but also understand why they matter in our culture,” she said.

After the introduction, students had the chance to make their own spring rolls using rice paper, shrimp, noodles, herbs, and fresh vegetables. The room was soon filled with laughter, conversation, and the sound of rolling rice paper. “Everyone compared techniques and shared smiles—it was so much fun to see how food brought everyone closer,” Christy said.

She also demonstrated how to make a simple peanut dipping sauce, which perfectly complemented the fresh rolls and added even more flavor to the experience. “One of my favorite parts was seeing people enjoy what they made and discovering how something so simple could connect us all,” she reflected.

Christy gave a heartfelt thank you to the Office of Global Affairs for their help in planning and supporting the event. “Cooking with Christy was more than just a cooking lesson—it was an opportunity to share culture, build community, and celebrate the joy of good food and great company.”

Thi Minh Phuong Tran

ORIENTATION -----AND----PROGRESSIVEDINNER

By: Remya Palakkeel Meethaleveedu, India

This fall, the office of Global Affairs proudly welcomed 22 new students from countries such as China, France, India, Japan, Mexico, Mongolia, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, and Vietnam. With such a diverse group joining Rockford University, the semester began with energy, excitement, and a true spirit of community.

Orientation Day was truly a memorable experience. The president and other senior leaders of the university were present, warmly welcoming us with their inspiring words and encouragement. Their presence made us feel that Rockford University as a whole is walking with us on this new educational journey. The positive atmosphere gave us confidence and a sense of belonging as we took our first steps on campus.

Another highlight of the semester’s beginning was the Progressive Dinner. On this special evening, we visited three community friends’ homes, where we were treated not only to delicious food but also to genuine warmth and hospitality. Each host opened their doors with kindness, making us feel as though we were in our own homes. The laughter, conversations, and shared meals created bonds that went beyond cultural boundaries.

Together, these experiences have shown us that Rockford University is like a small world with many nationalities, traditions, and perspectives. We are excited to learn from one another and to share our own cultures, building lasting connections that will enrich our time here.

INGONIGHT

Mateo & Suvda - OGA Graduate Assistants

Suvda and Mateo, graduate assistants of the Office of Global Affairs, organized a Bingo Night for new and current international students and local students, the turnout was amazing! We thought that only a few people might come, but nearly 100 students showed up. There was not an empty seat at the Den in the Burpee Center!

The night was full of energy as basketball, football, soccer, volleyball players, and other students all joined in. With fun prizes, music, and teamwork to set everything up, the room was buzzing with excitement.

It was such a cool way to meet new people, have fun, and celebrate our diverse community. We can’t wait for the next one!

SAUDI NATIONALDAY

The Saudi National Day celebration at Rockford University marked a defining moment in my student journey Serving as the master of ceremonies for the event allowed me to overcome my fear of public speaking and develop valuable leadership and communication skills. It was an honor to represent my country and guide the program from start to finish

The celebration, organized by the Saudi Club in collaboration with the Office of Global Affairs, brought together students, faculty, and staff to honor the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s history, culture, and vision. The program began with the Saudi National Anthem, followed by inspiring remarks from Dr. Lynott, President of Rockford University, and Maria Diemer, Executive Director of Global Affairs. Both expressed their admiration for the Saudi students’ leadership, teamwork, and contributions to the university community.

Throughout the evening, I had the privilege of introducing several program highlights, including raffle draws, a fun Kahoot! quiz on Saudi culture, and a best dressed competition These interactive activities created an engaging and inclusive atmosphere that encouraged participation and celebration from everyone in attendance.

A major highlight of the evening was the authentic Saudi cuisine, which featured traditional dishes such as kabsa, samosas, and sweets, allowing guests to experience the warmth of Saudi hospitality The event concluded with a bonfire gathering of friendship, unity, and cultural pride.

I am deeply grateful to the Saudi Club, the Office of Global Affairs, and Arab United for their outstanding collaboration and support. Together, we created an evening filled with pride, joy, and unforgettable memories for everyone who attended.

THAMER ALHARTHI

JANEADDAMS DAYOFSERVICE

Hessah Aldossary

I volunteered on Jane Addams birthday. Every year, Rockford University celebrates Jane Addams by giving students the chance to do service in her name. Jane Addams was a activist for women who made history.

Our day of service was at the Severson Dells. At 9:00 am, we gathered on campus to sign in and pick up our baby blue T-shirts, which I quite liked At 9:30, we loaded into the VanTerra’s and Suvda who was driving, set the mood by letting us choose the music on the way there.

As we arrived, the employees of the Nature Center greeted us and introduced our service of the day They taught us how to take care of nature by deadheading Bergamot and Coneflowers Glove-covered and bag-clad, we got to work It was my first experience like this, and I really enjoyed it because I was in nature I tried to walk deeper in the forest, but it was too hot, so I snapped some pictures and made my way back. My bag was full after an hour, which made me very proud. We later exchanged snacks and water for lunch. After lunch, the staff took us on a quick hike before we headed back to campus. As we got back to the university, we continued to celebrate with lunch, cake, and live music, it was so much fun The field trip was wonderful, and as an ESL student, I felt it opened up new doors of possibility and showed me that learning can be active and intentional I am very happy and blessed to be a student at Rockford University.

NICETOMEETYOU ONTHE TRAIN

Xu Tian,

MAT student from China

A few days ago, my graduate program started. In the first class, the teacher asked me who my favorite teacher was. His question had got me thinking. Since arriving in the United States a year ago, I've met Maria, Julie, Maggie, Terri, Lorri, and Rose in the OGA. Their beautiful personalities have left a lasting impression on me.

I think a key characteristic of American teachers is their emphasis on encouragement. Often, even when I feel my performance isn't perfect, they'll say, “Well done. ”“Good job.”“Perfect!" In addition to warm encouragement, the teachers in ESL class also provided us with strategies for improving our English. In Chinese, there is no tongue-biting sound like the "th" sound in English, so most Chinese people pronounce "think" as "sink", pronounce “mouth” as “mouse”, and I am no exception. In order to let me practice the pronunciation of "th", Terri wrote a piece of paper full of words with "th" in them for me to practice, and I was very grateful for this.

All of my ESL teachers at RU are incredibly dedicated and well-prepared, they make me feel like you'd be wasting their hard work if you didn't want to study hard. To enrich the lessons they teach, they prepare catchy songs, engaging movies, and fun games. They not only teach the language but also introduce American culture.

“A person's life journey is like a long-distance train journey. During the journey, you will encounter certain people. They get on your train at this station, accompany you for a few stops, and then get off.”(Quote from the Animated Film: “Spirited Away”)

This May, I graduated from ESL and started my postgraduate studies. I am so glad that the teachers in OGA got on my train and brought me a wonderful period. Their guidance and encouragement have helped me a lot, and it will continue to help me. I believe there must be some challenges in the future, and I will face them, solve them, and enjoy them.

DIWALI

“TheFestivalofLights"

DHARA PATEL INDIA

This year, I had the amazing chance to coordinate a Diwali celebration at Rockford University. I got to represent and introduce a slice of one of India’s most vibrant festivals to our campus community. It was an amazing and fulfilling moment especially as an international student from India, to share one of our treasured cultural customs with my friends, peers, and teachers. Diwali, often referred to as the Festival of Lights, represents the triumph of light over darkness and righteousness over wrongdoing.

It is celebrated throughout India and within Indian populations globally with lamps, ornaments, sweets, and fireworks. Our event at Rockford University effectively embodied that same essence of happiness, unity, and cultural pride.

The university generously supported the occasion by supplying authentic Indian sweets and dishes, which offered everyone a delightful taste of India’s festive cuisine. We also decorated tables with vibrant rangoli designs, giving students the chance to engage with this traditional Indian art form enjoyably and imaginatively. The event took place in the afternoon, creating an environment filled with laughter, excitement, and interest as attendees learned about the significance and customs of Diwali. We even lit sparklers, which added a festive flair and brightness to the event.

What made the occasion even more remarkable was the immense support and enthusiasm from the university community. Julie, Maria, and Daniel were exceptionally supportive during the planning stages, and my fellow students eagerly volunteered to ensure the event was a success. Their generosity and motivation made me feel valued and welcomed. Rockford University genuinely feels like a second home to me, celebrating Diwali here reminded me that, regardless of our origins, events like this unite individuals through light, happiness, and mutual understanding. I am incredibly thankful to everyone who contributed to the success of this event and to all who participated in the celebration.

AnInternational Classroom MulticulturalEngagementinFirstYearSeminar (FYS)

My name is Emil, I am a student in Maria Diemer’s First Year Seminar class. I really enjoy learning about different cultures and the diverse perspectives of how countries see the world. I also enjoy interacting with people from other places around it. In Maria's class she encourages talking and learning about each others culture's, though I'm quite reserved I still try, and I've learned a lot about my peers from abroad. While I'm hesitant to talk aloud to the whole class, I have had a lot of fun talking to my peers and learning about their experiences and views. Another thing I love about FYS is getting to taste international snacks, I never would have even tried otherwise. On top of that, the authentic interaction and cross-cultural learning in FYS is an experience that I hold dearly, and am happy to know that it'll continue and give others new experiences the same way I learned. - Emil (They/He)

I wanted to share a reflection on my experience in my First Year Seminar class and what I have learned from being around international students. In our class, Professor Maria Diemer brings in food from different countries such as Argentina, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and Saudi Arabia, as well as hosts representatives and leaders in our school, who are from different parts of the world to come in and teach us about their country, teaching us how to say good morning in their language. In addition to hearing from these people, we also have students from these cultures who talk with us, work in small groups, and present about their lives back home. Hearing their stories and seeing how different their everyday experience is from myself as a domestic student, has been one of the most eye opening parts of my freshman year. It has made me me realize that Rockford University’s international program is one of the best things the school offers, giving students a chance to explore a new world, learn about different cultures without ever leaving our campus community - Kamren Hogan - Men’s Basketball

MyVisittothe Mayor'sOffice

SHOUQALHARBI-SAUDIARABIA

Last month, I visited the Mayor's Office and got a great chance to learn how decisions are made in the city. During the meeting, the Mayor showed how the mechanism of voting works in solving neighborhood problems. In case of a tie in votes, the final decision is to be made by the Mayor himself; after that, other members are not allowed to vote. He further said that in these meetings, the representatives of police, fire, and other official agencies are always present but they do not speak or vote unless the Mayor asks them to. That explains how organized and respectful the decision-making process is.

The most exciting thing he talked about was a future plan that the city had regarding the opening of a metro line which would connect Rockford to Chicago. This would make it much easier to travel between the two cities.

In the process of the conversation, I asked the Mayor many questions, as he is a successful and important person. It is always great to learn from successful people. His answers were so inspiring that they made me reflect deeply about leadership and balance in life.

What touched me most was that at the end of the meeting, something so personal was shared by the Mayor when he said that he does not want this job to be his "job for life" because he wants to have more time with his family. I really admired that. It brought me back to the realization that even leaders need balance and family time as well.

It was, in general, a very inspiring and meaningful visit to the Mayor's Office, which stirred an interest in me to get more involved within my community.

STUDYABROADFAIR

As a member of the Office of Global Affairs, I helped organize a Study Abroad Event that featured both shortterm and long-term programs across six different countries. To make the event engaging and memorable, I created interactive activities such as a Jet Lag Game and a Travel Journal Station. The Jet Lag Game was a fun and educational way for students to realize just how different time zones can be some were surprised to learn that, for example, Japan is almost a full day ahead of the United States, meaning they would be “living in the future.”

At the Travel Journal Station, students decorated pocketsized journals with destination-themed stickers, allowing them to create something personal and meaningful to take on their journeys. These journals encouraged reflection and self-discovery helping students capture special moments, emotions, and memories while abroad.

Overall, it was a great experience for me to see students at the journal station deeply engaged in decorating their journals, and stopping by to learn more about study abroad opportunities. It made me happy to witness their excitement and curiosity, serving as a reminder that there’ is so much to explore in the world.

BEINGA FORA

Mojca Ahac - Exchange Student

Rockford

I’ve spent one semester at Rockford University as an MBA exchange student, and it’s been a really meaningful experience. The professors are approachable and it’s easy to engage in discussions and get personal feedback, which makes learning feel more personal.

I really appreciate the community friends program, it’s a great concept that helps international students connect with local families and experience life beyond campus. Most of the hosts are involved in church activities, which can sometimes make the experience feel more faith-based than expected, but everyone I met was very warm and welcoming.

The campus environment is calm and comfortable, though not very lively. Having access to a car makes daily life much easier, since transportation options around Rockford are limited.

I also think there’s potential to strengthen conn international and American students (maybe connecting events or informal gatherings). It experience even more enriching especially sin one of the nicest and most welcoming people I’v dining hall staff deserve special mention (shout Chad) because they’re incredibly kind and mak personal. The OGA faculty also deserve a lot extremely supportive and always available something - from paperwork help to just checkin you’re doing. They made my time here way sm enjoyable than it would’ve been otherwise. I’ve definitely few things from my time at Rockford, a few of independant, patient, and open-minded when meetin different cultures and beliefs

STUDENT SEMESTER

from Skövde University, Sweden

ThecityofSkövdeissmallbutcozy.It’squiet,safeandyoucanwalkorbike prettymuchanywhereorusetheveryreliablepublictransport.You’vegot natureallaround,mypersonalfavouritebeingmountBillingenwithits beautifulforests,lakesandtrails.Inthewintertimeyoucanskithere,andin thesummeryoucanswiminthelakes.So,ifyoulikebeingoutside,you’lllove it.Thecityitselfischeaperthanthebigcities,butifyoueverwanttogoto GothenburgorStockholm,thetrainisaverygoodoptionandit’snotthatfar.

UniversityofSkövdeitselfisnotthatbig,whichmeansyouactuallygetto knowyourclassmatesandteachers.Classesareveryinteractive;there’salot ofprojectsandgroupworkbutthatalsodependsonthecoursesthatyou’re taking.Theteachersareveryapproachableandfriendly-onethingthattook somegettingusedto,wascallingthembytheirfirstnameonly(withoutusing anycourtesytitles),becausethatistheSwedishway.

AsaninternationalstudentyourcoursesareinEnglishandyourclassmates aremostlypeoplefromallovertheworld.AlmosteverythingisinEnglish,so youwon’thavetostressaboutSwedishtoomuch.Thatbeingsaid,the universityoffersSwedishlanguageandculturecoursesforanyonewhois interestedinknowingabitmore,orjusttolearnhowtoorderyourfavourite coffeeinSwedish.Thecampusitselfiseasytogetaround.Everythingisclose, thelibrary,gym,cafeteria…youcanwalkeverywhereinlessthanfive minutes.

Thestudentlifethereisreallyfun.ESNSkövde(theinternationalstudent network)throwsalotofevents,partiesandweekendtrips,soyouwill definitelyendupmeetingalotofinternationalstudents.Youcanalsodecide tojoinoneofthestudentsocietieswithintheuniversity,dependingonyour subjectofstudy(forexample:ifyoustudybusinessyoucanjointheBusiness SocietyakaSafir).Thesocietieshostalotofcooleventsandtheyevenhavean appwhereyoucanseeallofthem.Also,joiningasocietyisaverygoodwayto meetSwedishpeople.Speakingof,Swedishpeopleareveryniceandkindbut theyliketokeeptothemselvesandmayseemcoldontheoutside.It’shardto gettoknowandbefriendaSwedishperson.However,onceyoumanageto makefriendswithaSwedetheywillshowyoutruekindness.Everyonesays beingherechangesthemabit.Youlearnhowtoliveonyourown,meetpeople fromeverywhere,andgetadifferentperspectiveonlife.You’lllearnthe meaningof“lagom”andyouwillprobablyincorporate“fika”intoyour everydayroutine-evenafteryoureturnhome.It’slowkey,butinthebestway

THERAPYDOGS

GRACIE’SVISITTOOURCLASSROOM

One day, one of the therapy dogs, Gracie, who is a female dog, came to our class. She was very peaceful and sociable. Everyone in the classroom wanted to pet her and take a photo. The owner of the therapy dogs told us about their job, which is caring for older people and sharing comforting moments to help with depression and other mental health challenges. It was amazing to learn that there are people who devote their time to supporting others during difficult moments.

Thinking about therapy dogs, even though some people don’t like animals, I believe dogs are very helpful for people who need emotional support—especially those dealing with loneliness, sadness, or depression. Dogs are always happy and grateful toward humans because that’s their nature.

Carlos Lobato Gonzalez

OURTRIPTOTHE APPLEORCHARD

I joined a field trip with other ESL students from Rockford University to visit Edward Apple Orchard, a traditional apple farm in Illinois. The trip was full of fun moments, like taking photos among flowers and tasting delicious different apples – By the way, in Rockford you can find various types of apples. It’s very interesting, because in my country there are only four – We also saw animals and explored an area with old farm tools. In the Cider Cellar, everyone enjoyed fresh cider and donuts – I confess I’ve never drunk cider before, but I liked it too much – It was a great opportunity to learn about American traditions, practice English, and share time with classmates and teachers. Visiting Edward Apple Orchard was more than just a field trip, but it was a cultural experience full of joy and friendship.

Viviane Prado Montalvao

POLAND2025 HOWHASSTUDYABROAD IMPACTEDYOU?

"During my conference presentation on immigration reform, American democracy, and its global influences, I initially worried that my message—so deeply tied to U.S. politics—wouldn’t connect with an international audience. One attendee reflected on their uncertainty about being an ally and their awareness of privilege, and I was able to reassure them that such reflection is part of meaningful action. In that exchange, I felt grounded—not only in my identity and story, but also in a global community of people seeking to learn, connect, and stand together. As a first-generation Mexican-American student from Rockford University, this experience carried deep significance. It reminded me that my background and lived experiences hold value beyond my immediate community—that my story has the power to educate, bridge differences, and inspire understanding across borders. Sharing my perspective affirmed that being grounded in who I am allows me to represent both my university and my culture with pride, and to continue creating space for voices like mine in academic and global conversations.“ -Sandy Ruiz

When we got to go to Auschwitz, it was such a rewarding experience because I do not think anyone can ever fully grasp the idea and actual events that took place during the holocaust. We got to really see how important it is more than ever to actually remember history and keep the importance of it alive to make sure that it does not happen again even though we are actively seeing history begin to move backwards. -Brenna Mackey

JANEADDAMS NATIONALCONFERENCE

“The Jane Addams Conference in Poland was truly evolutionary for me. Going into this experience, I was terrified about the paper I was writing as I was having imposter syndrome. Questions like "What if my listeners already know this?" and "What if they disagree with what I am saying?" kept running through my head up until the day I presented. Walking into the room was the moment I realized, though, that I had become someone new. I am a woman who knows the impact of my writing, and I yearn for others to read it. I presented my paper with such confidence, and it showed as the keynote speakers from the conference profusely complimented me, even suggesting I try to get my paper published. It was this experience that helped me realize the impact I have through my writing and makes me want to put my messages out there more” -Ashley Harkey

FIRSTEXPERIENCE PLAYINGSOCCER

Camille Langlet - France

Having spent 9 years of my life playing handball, moving to the United States meant leaving that passion behind. Since handball isn’t very popular here, I decided to take on a new challenge, I would like to discover a sport I didn’t know yet, soccer. I already knew a few girls from the team, and toward the end of last year, Mahault, another French girl, encouraged me to join them.

At first, it was strange and difficult to start from zero in a sport, it even became frustrating to become a beginner again. But the girls immediately tried to include me. They were patient and always ready to help me, whether it was to understand the game or to overcome the language barrier.

Little by little, I started to find my place in the team, I started to improve, and I even became a starter in the games. As the season went on, several players got injured, which reduced the number of substitutes we had, but it allowed me to play more. Despite intensive practices, we didn’t have the same level as other universities. Yet, we never gave up. We fought with the same energy, the same drive, despite the frustration. Even in defeat, we stayed strong and proud of each other.

And that’s when I realized that joining the soccer team was one of the best decisions I’ve made since I came here. It taught me that stepping out of your comfort zone can lead to amazing experiences and beautiful friendships.

GLOBALSPOTLIGHT AWARDFALL2025

Arwen Guzman-Servin

Arwen leads the Hispanic Culture Club with passion and heart, creating a space where students can celebrate their heritage and feel supported. As a Reggie, she uses her language and cultural knowledge to connect with others and advocate for bilingual students. Having once felt unsupported while learning English herself, Arwen has turned that experience into her mission—to make sure every Hispanic student feels seen, heard, and empowered both inside and outside the classroom.

Remya Palakkeel Meethaleveedu

Remya, an international nursing student from India, volunteers at almost every event sponsored by the OGA! It is not uncommon to find her flipping burgers at homecoming tailgating or meeting with other Indian students outside her office hours to work on a Diwali event for the whole campus. Beyond being everywhere, Remya is always looking for ways to serve and asking how she can help. Remya truly embodies the spirit of the OGA by building cross-cultural bridges and finding opportunities both large and small to share her own and other cultures across the RU campus and community.

GLOBALCONNECTION AWARDFALL2025

Sacha

Comte

Whenever and wherever we see Sacha, he has a smile on his face and a positive attitude. From Saudi National Day to Diwali, from Geocaching to the Ice Hogs game, if Global Affairs is hosting an event, whether on or off campus, Sacha is there enjoying the festivities and connecting with students and staff alike. When there is a sporting event, Sacha is in the stands cheering on his classmates. For his positive contributions to student life at Rockford University, we are happy to award Sacha with the first ever Global Connections award.

OGASTAFF RECOGNITION

DANIEL NORD OGA Assistant Director

In2022,ImovedtoJapantoteachEnglish.Ihadn’tstudiedabroad asanundergraduateatRockfordUniversityandhadonlyever traveledabroadtwicebefore—nevertoJapan—butaftermorethan fiveyearsinthenonprofitsectorasafundraiser,Iwantedto experiencesomethingnew.IhadstudiedJapaneseformorethan twoyears,hadbeenEnglish-languagetutoringforaboutthesame, andhadcompletedalanguage-teachingcertification.InJune,I boardedaplanetoTokyo.

Forthenextthreeyears,IlivedandtaughtinJapan,teachingat bothanEikaiwai,orEnglishconversationschool,andasan assistantlanguageteacher(ALT)atanelementaryschool From whenIwasfirsthiredandneededavisauntilIreturnedtotheU.S., myboss,Yoshika,supportedme,accompanyingmetothebankto openanaccount,toDocomotoestablishcellphoneservice,tocity halltocompleteandsubmitpaperwork,andsomuchmore.

WhenIsawajobpostingatmyalmamaterforAssistantDirectorofGlobalAffairsandESLCoordinator uponmyreturntotheU.S.,IknewRockfordUniversit abletocontinuetolanguageteach—whatIammostp theytransitiontolifeintheU.S.,justasYoshikasupp theirarrival,fromthebankandcellphonestoretothe

TRI-ALPHAINDUCTEES

AlejandroQuesada,RayanAlharbi,WesleyPritzlaff

As of July 2025, Rockford University was granted the honor of being home to a new chapter of the Tri-Alpha Honor Society.

Alpha Alpha Alpha (Tri-Alpha) is a national honor society that recognizes and supports firstgeneration college students. It’s purpose is to celebrate the academic achievements of firstgeneration college students, promote leadership development, and provide a network of support for first-generation students.

First-generationinternationalstudentAlejandroQuesada -CostaRica

First-generationinternationalstudentRayanAlharbi -SaudiArabia

First-generationdomesticstudentWesleyPritzlaff -U.S.A.|InternationalLiaisonwithOGA.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALEJANDRO, RAYAN, AND WESLEY!

INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES FALL2025

WHERERUNOW?

Whatareyoudoingnowinyourcareerorstudies?

AftergraduatingwithmybachelorofscienceinnursingfromRockford University,Iamreturnedtomyhome,SaudiArabia,andobtainedmy saudinursinglicense.So,IamofficiallyRN,RahafTolah!Ihavebeen doingthingsItrulylove,suchasvolunteeringwithSaudiRedCrescent, andalsoIcompletedseveralprofessionalcoursesinqualityofhealth care,andinfectioncontrol,tosupportmynursingclinicalknowledgeand skills I’mcurrentlyfocusingindevelopingmyselfmore,gaining experienceandpreparingtopursuemastersdegreeinnursinginthe nearfuturetocontinuemydream,asmygoalistokeepgrowingasa nurseandcontinuemakingadiningpeople’slives

Whataboutyourcurrentjoborprogrammakesyoufeelsuccessful, accomplishedorproud?

WhatmakesmefeeltrulyproudandaccomplishediswhenIfaceareal situationsandinstantlyrememberwhatmynursingprofessorstaught meatRU Theirlessonsandwordsalwaysstaywithme,guidingme througheverychallenge Forme,that’stherealmeaningofsuccess, seeinghowwhatIlearnerhasbecomepartofwhoIamasanurse.Even aftergraduating,Ididgothroughmomentsofuncertaintyandboredom, butmydeterminationtokeeplearningandimprovingmyselfmademe proudofhowfarIhavecome.AndIknowthisisjustthebeginningandI believethebestisyettocome.

Lookingback,howdidRUhelpyouonyourjourney?

AsIreadthisquestionandstartanswering.Iamtakingadeepbreath andremembereverymomentformyveryfirstdayatRockford University.IfeelthatIambelongtothatplacethatIIwasinplaceI wantedtobepartof.Thoughtheharddaysandthehappyones,Iwas neveralone.OGAwashonestlymysecondhome.Ilovetospendtime there.Studying,eatingtalkingandlaughingwitheveryone.It’sfeltlike beingwithmyfamilybackhomeinSaudiArabia.AndasImentioned before,IfeelproudthatIlearnedfromnursingprofessorswhoalways keeptheirdoorsandheartsopen,theyansweredeveryquestionwith patientandcareandtheirpassionfornursinginspiremedeeply.

Whatisafavoritememoryorsomethingthatyourememberaboutyour timeatRU?

EverymomentatRU,hasbeenspecialinitsownwayofcoursemy graduationdaywasamixofhappinessandpride,butalsoalittle sadnessasIsaidgoodbyetoRU,myprofessorsandtheOGA.Oneofmy favoritemomentwasthefirsttimeIgiveaspeechinfronteveryone during93rdSaudinationalday,itwasspecialtoseeeveryone.Iloveand respect,supportingmeandproudofmyword.Also,anotherspecial momentwasbeinghonoredwiththeOGA“GlobalSpotlightAward”,it wassohappyseeingmyphotointhelibraryandwassoproud.Every singlemomentIspendthereatRU,orunforgettable.Iwillbealways proudasanAlumniofRU.

Global Connections Fall 2025