From the President

I am very pleased to recommend to you the 2022 version of Washburn’s International Accents. I hope you will read it with as much pride and appreciation as I do.

This publication showcases the robust international programming on our campus during 2022.

The wonderful global initiatives and activities undertaken by our faculty, staff and students underscore what Washburn University is all about –students. These opportunities enrich the Washburn experience and strengthen our reputation as the No. 1 regional public university in Kansas (U.S. News & World Report, 2022.) I wanted to take this

From the Director

2022 proved to be the year of great recovery for international education at Washburn! Our international student enrollment reached nearly 200 from 34 countries, and around 130 students participated in study abroad programs. Both numbers were back to the pred-pandemic level of 2019. Our Intensive English Program received accreditation of nine additional years, till 2031! In addition, 40 international students graduated, which was a back-to-back year with 40 graduates or more.

2022 also saw Dr. Farley’s retirement. Needless to say, we appreciated his visionary leadership and determined backing of international education during his 25-year tenure, which was essential in our success. Dr. Russ Smith, who contributed significantly to Washburn’s internationalization, also retired after a 38-year distinguished career at WU.

opportunity to thank our international educators for their dedication and contribution, and to commend our students for their courage to get out of their comfort zone and challenge themselves to be better informed citizens.

Since its founding, Washburn has been valuing and embracing diversity, equity and inclusion when there was not much international education to speak of. But the world we now live in is vastly different. A proficient body of knowledge about the world and an adequate level of global competency, in my view, is integral to a solid college education. And as such, Washburn will continue its commitment and support diverse educational activities, welcome international students, and enhance international education programs. Let’s work together to further internationalize Washburn.

We wish them well.

It was exciting and rewarding to hear from our past graduates. Their stories warm our hearts and their successes motivate us to keep doing what we are passionate about.

On the faculty front, we welcomed three outstanding international scholars to the Washburn community and inducted five colleagues into Phi Beta Delta – Honor Society of International Scholars. These wonderful additions and their contributions will undoubtedly further strengthen the programs and services we provide to our students and faculty and staff.

Finally, I want to thank all those who supported our programs and students through mentorship, leadership, and financial assistance. I look forward to reporting to you about our 2023 successes.

Kelly McClendon Coordinator of Intensive English

Lots of good news from this desk for 2022! In December the Intensive English Program (IEP) was reaccredited by Commission on English Language Program Accreditation for an additional 9 years...until December 2031! In addition to this, all three of the top-level courses in the Intensive English program now count as credit for General Education Humanities courses, much like Beginning Spanish 2. This is a huge step in inclusion of non-native English-speaking WU students by recognizing their learned skills. Not many universities across the US give General Education credit for IEP courses. In 2022, this year we had students from Brazil, Japan, Spain, Nepal, and Mexico. The enrollment of the IEP is slowly increasing, but like other programs all across the US, we continue to be affected by the pandemic and other geopolitical events and trends. Our adjunct instructors for 2022 were Dr. Roger Laubengayer, JiSoo Abbuehl, Dr. Crystal Buck, Elissa Jones, Kelsey Huff, Tisha Sinclair, and Theresa Livingston. They have been working hard because course planning is time consuming even if there are fewer students. They continue to show excellence in all they do. We look forward to what 2023 will bring!

Heidi Staerkel Associate Director of International Programs

Like my colleague Kelly, I also have good news to report from my desk! In 2022, we welcomed 25 new students to WU in the Spring (a 65% increase over Spring 2021) and over 65 new students in the Fall (a 20% increase over Fall 2021). We’re processing an increasing number of applications – particularly for our LL.M. in Global Legal Studies graduate program, which grew from 2 applicants for Spring 2021 to 25 for Fall 2022. Something both familiar and “new” during Spring 2022 was receiving 20 Japanese students from Chiba University of Commerce (CUC). The 8-week exchange began in Fall 2016 with eleven CUC Global Studies majors. To graduate with a Global Studies major, CUC students must spend at least eight weeks studying abroad. When our CUC colleagues contacted us about the possibility of shifting the 8-week exchange to Spring 2022, we knew there would be some challenges but were eager to provide these students with an exceptional study abroad experience, especially since other opportunities had been drastically limited in 2020 and 2021. The students arrived in early April and had a wonderful, transformational experience. Due to the continued lessening of COVID restrictions, CUC also resumed sending students for the Fall exchange, so we gladly welcomed 18 students in late October. One of the highlights for these students, and myself, was an afternoon of cultural sharing spent at Randolph Elementary School. One of the students remarked afterwards that he was full, which I found unusual since we hadn’t eaten anything. When I asked him what he meant, he explained that his heart was full. I treasure the opportunity to be present for these special moments. It makes me so grateful to work with our international students here at WU!

Tina Williams, ba, ‘95, M.S., ED, Study Abroad Coordinator

As I reflect on the many accomplishments of the past year, it is clear that the value of a study abroad experience cannot be underestimated nor can the resilience and determination of WU faculty, staff, and students. We began in person advising, orientations, and onsite study abroad programs in the spring of 2022. The return to travel began with the departure of the “Women in WWII” faculty led program during spring break. The program was led by professors Kerry Wynn, History, and Courtney Sullivan, French. The travels continued with four faculty led summer programs. Due to continued COVID-19 travel restrictions the locations of two programs were changed. The “Nursing Perspectives” program led by Professors Lara Rivera and Amy White was changed from Guatemala to Puerto Rico. Although Puerto Rico is not an international destination, it offered a unique cultural experience for nursing students and faculty. Professor Bob Betty, Political Science, was on schedule to offer the “Modern Japan” program, but due to the uncertainty of Japan opening for travel, the department opted to pivot and instead Professor Linsey Moddelmog, offered the “European Capitals” program as an alternative. After two years of travel delays, Professor Sharon Sullivan, Theater, was finally able to depart with her students to attend the “Fringe Festival” in Edinburgh, Scotland. Business Professor Dr. Michael Stoica also waited two years to return to Brazil with his students for the International Business Experience. In the end the faculty, staff, and student’s flexibility and patience made the return to travel a success. We remain committed to providing a robust portfolio of high-quality, experiential, and rigorous academic programs for students and look forward to continuing to offer valuable study abroad experiences.

Dr. Andrew Vogel Coordinator of International Student Recruitment and Retention

2022 was a huge year for the Office of International Programs

– not only for our team, but for the many talented international students who call Washburn University and Topeka home. For example, Simran Shrestha (Molecular Biology & Biotechnology), Alisha Bajracharya (Biochemistry), Avinash Dhimal (Molecular Biology & Biotechnology), and Manish Bhatta (Chemistry) represented Washburn in Iowa City at the Mid-Western Regional Meeting organized by the American Chemical Society! They are senior international students from Nepal who presented their undergraduate research at the poster session of the seminar.

More examples of excellence are: Spring 2022 Nepali graduates

Diepsh Thapa pursuing the Ph.D. program in Cancer Biology at Kansas University Medical Center with a full tuition waiver and $34,000 annual stipend, and Rajesh Kandela, receiving a full-ride scholarship for a Ph.D. in Chemistry at the University of California, Davis. Alisha Pyakurel & Ashmita Kharel, two Spring 2022 Nepali graduates with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, are doing OPT at regional hospitals in Chicago and Wichita. In addition, Nancy Acharya

(Accounting and Finance), another international student from Nepal, had an intern at Koch Industries over the summer term. Another notable example is in the School of Business. The School of Business Major Field

Test is a standardized national exam taken by students from more than 550 business schools nationwide. The exam consists of questions from all the concentrations of Business, such as Finance, Management, Marketing, Accounting, Economics, Management Information Systems, and International Business. This exam is taken at Washburn when students are enrolled in Strategic Management(BU449) class. Nilam Dangi was the second-highest scorer, scoring 176 out of 200. The score was in the 95th percentile in that national exam. Dangi was followed by Saimon Ghimire, Sangya Yogi, and Sumnima Limbu. These 4 Nepali students were in the top 10 highest scorers in the School of Business.

Another notable international achievement was the enrollment of Sheronika Simeon, who won Miss Teen Bahamas in 2021 and chose to attend Washburn University and study kinesiology with her scholarship prize. Lastly, David Kibet, who achieved 54th in the 10k in the NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships in a blazing time of 30:47, a 4:57 per mile pace. This feat is even more tremendous, considering he overcame injury the previous season and had fought back while maintaining solid grades and working part-time at the Student Recreation and Wellness Center.

Our student’s impressive achievements inspire us incredibly and these are just a few. Thank you for making our favorite moments from this year possible and for being a part of this incredible international community.

Liviu Florea President of ICT, International Center of Topeka

Each year, Washburn University is the ‘home-abroad’ for hundreds of international students. Just like it has always done, Washburn community welcomed new international students in 2022, through its numerous ‘vectors of care’ and exceled in making them feel welcomed, cared for, assisting, and supporting them in numerous ways in the classroom and on campus.

One of these vectors of care is the International Center of Topeka, Inc. that has contributed to Washburn and Topeka communities by endowing scholarships through the Washburn Foundation, supporting international students and study abroad programs, providing emergency assistance, organizing cultural events, and offering educational and social services such as tutoring for

Washburn international students.

For instance, two members of the International Center Board, Anita Epps and Bobbie Anderson have worked diligently to assist international members of our community to enhance literacy skills within the Topeka Literacy Council and English for Speakers of other Languages volunteer programs. For more than 50 years, these programs have assisted Washburn students and other members of the Topeka community.

Sangyoub Park, former President of the International Center of Topeka, took leadership to organize the Japanese Spring Festival (Japan Haru Matsuri) to be held at Washburn Institute of Technology this year on March 24. The Festival included educational presentations, performances, hands-on activities, and snack-sampling.

The International Center of Topeka looks forward to welcoming new members, expanding its reach, and continuing its work on behalf of international students to welcome and celebrate diverse cultures in the Topeka community.

New Members of the ICT Board