Kelly McClendon, Coordinator & Senior Lecturer – Intensive English
Heidi Staerkel, Associate Director
Michala Stokes, International Student Advisor
Shari Westfall, Administrative Specialist
Tina Williams, Coordinator – Study Abroad
Baili Zhang, Director
From
Dr.
Alan Bearman, Vice President of Strategic Enrollment Management and Dean of Student Success and Libraries
At Washburn University, we understand the importance of working together toward a common goal. It is the bedrock of what we do, etched into our very identity and guided by our motto – “Non Nobis Solum,” or Not for Ourselves Alone.
With that in mind, I am thrilled to tell you about the great strides we are taking with our international program as it joins the Enrollment Management family, including a restructuring and relocation to Plass Learning Resources Center this fall. The newly minted International Student Services, located in Room 220, will collaborate with our Office of Admissions to strategically usher in a new generation of Ichabods from across the globe.
As a former international student myself, this is truly a cause near and dear to my heart. I am eager to continue and expand upon our successes in recruiting and retaining students to Washburn, both domestically and abroad.
From Baili Zhang, Director of International Programs.
Throughout my 35 (and going) years of affiliation with Washburn International Education, first as a student then as an administrator, my biggest joy is to see students and faculty thriving in their fields year after year. 2023 was no exception. 260 students from more than 40 countries called Washburn and Topeka their homes. 118 students studied abroad. We have recovered from and grown since the Pandemic. Even more notably, 32 faculty members were engaged in international scholarly activities, which is the highest number during my career at WU. International Education at Washburn is back and operating on all cylinders.
I am also excited about other changes to our international programs to provide a more holistic, thoughtful approach to the student experience at Washburn. Those changes include:
• Study Abroad (now in Plass 209) joining our other WTE areas in Plass to create a one-stop venue for students to explore all of their opportunities to learn beyond the classroom. The program remains under the Provost and the Office of Academic Affairs.
• Intensive English (now in Morgan 305) residing with Modern Foreign Languages, where it began over 20 years ago.
• Other programming, including the Brown Bag International Lecture Series and International Education Committee / Travel Fund, are now under the Associate Provost for Faculty Development.
I hope you share my excitement about these changes and the road ahead as we continue to grow and thrive together as a university. Please take a moment to read this publication, which includes some of the tremendous efforts and inspiring achievements of our students, faculty and staff in their pursuit of excellence.
As President Mazachek says, it is a great day to be an Ichabod!
I firmly believe that no academic institution can claim true excellence without vibrant international education programshosting international students, sending students abroad, supporting faculty abroad, developing and maintaining productive international exchanges and relations, and producing other internationally focused programming. All these will impact learning in a positive way and enrich the lives of those on and off campus. Washburn is lucky to have many supporters and practitioners helping us in these endeavors.
This issue of our annual newsletter showcases some of the outstanding achievements. I hope you will enjoy reading them as much as I do, and continue your support of what we try to accomplish. I am hopeful better days are still ahead for Washburn international education.
Congratulations to the Winners of the 2023 Study Abroad Photo Essay Contest
1st Place: Elsa Cozine
Costa Rica - Winter - 2023
2nd Place: Breuana DuVal
Costa Rica - Winter - 2023
3rd Place: Andrew Pujado
Brazil - Summer - 2023
Dr. Deborah Altus, Family and Human Services Professor, served on the program planning and proposal review committee in 2023 for the International Communal Studies Association annual conference, which was hosted virtually in January 2024. She is also on the Board of Directors for ICSA.
Dr. Jason Miller (Anthropology) had a busy summer on his Sweet Sabbatical to Japan. He spent time in Tokyo, Yokohama, Kyoto, Nara, Uji, Kanazawa, Nagano, Hakone, Niigata, Otaru, Sapporo, Shiraoi, and Hakodate, where he studied how different Japanese museums tell the story of settler colonialism in relation to the Ainu, one of the indigenous peoples of Japan. He also received assistance from the International Travel Fund to present on two panels at the joint meeting of the American Anthropological Association and the Canadian Anthropological Society in Toronto, Canada in November, “Going Hungry on Campus: A Roundtable on Anthropological Engagement with Basic Needs Security in Higher Education,” and “Back to Normal? Ethnographic Fieldwork and Pedagogical Practice in the 2020s.”
Dr. Miguel González-Abellás (Modern Languages) visited Cartagena de Indias, Colombia to attend the 22nd CILH (Congreso Internacional de Literaturas Hispánicas/International Congress of Hispanic Literatures), from March 10th to March 15th, 2023. He presented a research Dystopian Futures: Representations of Racism in Contemporary Paraguayan Science Fiction]. In Cartagena he toured the Walled City (UNESCO world heritage site since 1984) and had a “Bod moment” when he encountered Professors Kim Morse (History) and Tonya Ricklefs (Social Work), who led a group of Washburn students for a faculty led study abroad program.
Azyz Sharafy, professor of art, attended the International Conference on Gamification and Game Base Learning in London in May. Sharafy also
curated and participated in an art exhibition at the Nepal Art Council in Nepal. While there, Sharafy was interviewed in the top business magazine in Nepal, Business 360: https://b360nepal.com/public/ technology-has-seamlessly-integrated-itself-into-therealm-of-art-revolutionising-traditional-practices
Dr. Kim Morse, Professor of History and Dr. Tonya Ricklefs, associate professor of social work accompanied eight students--five from social work and three from history and anthropology-to Colombia on March 9–19. The group spent eight days hosted by the social justice organization Sembrandopaz (Sowing Peace), between Cartagena, Sincelejo, and a farm owned by the organization.
Professor Ricklefs also delivered school supplies collected by Washburn Social Work and History students to donate to the School in the Forest children’s educational program located at Finca Villa Barbara (farm and tropical dry forest) Sincelejo, Colombia. In addition, Professor Ricklefs was invited to attend and participate in restorative justice planning/conversations occurring at the Festival De La Reconcilation in Ovejas-Sucre Colombia Dec 1st and 2nd.
Dr. Courtney Sullivan, professor of modern languages, and Kerry Wynn, history professor, led a group of students to Paris, France, in late May as part of a course she team-taught “Courtesans in Nineteenth-century Paris.”
Georgina Tenny, modern languages senior lecturer, took a group of students to Mexico for two weeks in May, as part of her Live and Learn in Mexico course.
Political Science Lecturer Bill Fiander and three political science students (Katrina Connolly, Nolan Meyer and Trevor Ottman) traveled to Cuba on May 26-June 4 as part of a program studying the current economic, political and cultural challenges of the country.
Dr. Sangyoub Park, associate professor of sociology, visited Korea and Japan during summer break. His research focuses on changing demographic trends in Japan and Korea, especially a growing number of migrant workers in both countries. The trip was also a great opportunity to finalize the 2024 Study Abroad Program (SO/AN300 Explore Korea: Past, Present and Future) in Spring, 2024 (travelling portion was during summer break in 2024) and to prepare for the possible 2026 Study Abroad Program to Tokyo. Most of all, Dr. Park had a chance to reunite with Japanese students who graduated Washburn over the years. Once Ichabods always Ichabods!
Dr. Laura Murphy, associate professor of anthropology, traveled in Dublin, Ireland, and London, England, (end of June through early August) to explore archaeological sites of the European Neolithic period. Murphy also observed artifact collections at world-renowned museums. In addition, she delivered two oral presentations at the International Quaternary Association Meeting in Rome, Italy.
Faculty member Dr. Kris Ailslieger took eight Washburn political science majors to the International Model United Nations Conference in Erfurt, Germany, held Nov. 19-26.
Liz Derrington, English lecturer, attended Cove Park artists’ residency center in Scotland last summer and completed a course titled “Adventures in Neurodivergent Writing” at Scotland’s Creative Writing Centre.
Wonjae Lee, assistant professor of graphic design, traveled to South Korea and researched digital pedagogy in education and introduced a cutting-edge course titled “Augmented Reality: Interaction Design.” Andrew Farkas, Lecture of English, traveled to Spain last summer to research a novel.
Dr. Gaspar Porta traveled to Italy last summer to do research to create a study abroad course to further expose students to renowned mathematicians and scientists.
Helene Perriguey-Keene, lecturer of French, (read
more details on page 10)
Dr. Rik Hine, assistant professor of philosophy, visited the United Kingdom and Ireland to research and design a study-abroad version of a course Hine teaches every year: I Think, Therefore I Am? History of Modern Philosophy 16001800.
Marguerite Perret, art professor, traveled to Norway last June to conduct collections research in Oslo and Bergen.
Joseph Kendall-Morwick, assistant professor of Computer Information Sciences, presented a paper entitled “Working with Ambiguous Case Representations” at the BEAR (Beyond Attributevalue case Representation) workshop at the 31st International Conference on Case-Based Reasoning (ICCBR), July 17, 2023, Aberdeen, Scotland.
David Price, associate professor of Marketing, presented a paper entitled “The Disruptive Startup That Never Was” at the Australia New Zealand Marketing Association Conference on December 4, 2023, at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand.
Other conference presentations include the following:
New Outlooks for Scholarly Research in Corporate Governance
Title: Environmental, Social and Governance Performance and Firm Value of Clean Technology Companies, June 2023
Association for Information Systems (AIS) International Conference on Information Systems (ICIS)
Title: Are Sustainability Reports Informative about Firm Value and Performance? A Text Mining Approach, December 2023, Hyderabad, India
International Conference on Advancing Sustainable Futures (ICASF 2023)
Title: Do you Still Need to be Reassured? Sustainability Reporting Assurance and Social Media Accountability. Best Paper Award, December 2023, Dubai
Indian Finance Association
Title: Do you Still Need to be Reassured? Sustainability Reporting Assurance and Social Media Accountability December 2023, Mumbai, India
Robert M. Hull, Muhammed Asif Khan, Masood Ahmed, “The Impact of Climate Mitigation Finance on Greenhouse Gas,” Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, Published online July 10, 2023, Vol. 16, pp. 1-19. (On file) (DB) Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/09640568.2023.2227759
Robert M. Hull, Ashfaq Habib, Muhammed Asif Khan, “Impact of Major Stock Markets on China’s Stock Market,” Managerial Finance, 2023, Vol. 49, No. 11, pp. 1706-1721. Available at: https://doi. org/10.1108/MF-01-2023-0022 (On file) (DB)
Norma Juma, Brenneman Professor of Business Strategy, presented a paper entitled “Sustainable Partnerships? A close look at Social Development and Capitalistic Collaborative Endeavors.” At the 23rd Annual conference of The Academy of African Business and Development (AABD), May/16-20/2023, The University of East London, Royal Docks School of Business and Law. She also offered workshops on Applied Qualitative Research Method and Effective Peer Review strategies at the same conference.
Liviu Florea, Profession of Management ( see: Sweet Sabbatical page 9)
Jane Carpenter, dean, School of Nursing, attended International Week 2023 in Kotka, Finland March 13 -17. The program was coordinated by South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences (XAMK). The conference brought faculty from Bulgaria, Croatia, Lithuania, Germany, and Scotland together. Talks were held with the leadership at XAMK to discuss opportunities for student exchanges.
Belinda Eckert, assistant professor, School of Nursing, led a group of 9 students to San Jose, and Tamarindo in Costa Rico in January 2023. Clinics were held at four locations with services provided to 450 patients. The trip was coordinated by the organization, CAMP.
Debbie Isaacson, associate dean, School of Nursing, attended International Week 2023 in Kotka, Finland
March 13 -17. The program was coordinated by South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences (XAMK). The conference brought faculty from Bulgaria, Croatia, Lithuania, Germany, and Scotland together. Talks were held with the leadership at XAMK to discuss opportunities for student exchanges. Dr. Isaacson did a presentation about the School of Nursing, March 14th.
Lara Rivera, associate professor, School of Nursing and Amy White, Assistant Professor, School of Nursing, led a group of 17 students to Yabacoa, Puerto Rico for one week in July. Washburn students worked with students and faculty at the University of Puerto Rico, participated in home visits, and conducted community clinics for health promotion and screening.
Crystal Stevens, associate professor, School of Nursing, led a group of 9 students to San Jose and Tamarindo in Costa Rico, January 2023. Clinics were held at four locations with services provided to 450 patients. The trip was coordinated by the organization, Central American Mission Projects (CAMP).
Amy White, assistant professor, along with Lara Rivera, associate professor, School of Nursing, hosted 3 students and 2 faculty members on the Washburn campus from the University of Puerto Rico, April 1722. The 3 students had served as translators when our students were in Puerto Rico in July 2022. The group attended nursing classes and visited local health care facilities.
Linda Elrod, Richard S. Righter Distinguished Professor of Law, published chapters in two international books in 2023.
Teaching Family Law in the United States: Riding the Rollercoaster in TEACHING FAMILY LAW: REFLECTIONS ON PEDAGOGY AND PRACTICE (Henry Kha, Mark Henaghan, eds.) (Routledge, 2023).
The Global Effort to Deter Parental Kidnapping: A History of The Hague Child Abduction Convention in RESEARCH HANDBOOK ON INTERNATIONAL CHILD ABDUCTION:THE 1980 HAGUE
CONVENTION (Marilyn Freeman, Nicola Taylor, eds.) (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2023).
Professor Elrod also had the following speaking engagements:
"Making Policy for Today's Families: Children as the Focal Point," 18th World Conference (Golden Jubilee Conference) of the International Society of Family Law (ISFL) "Rethinking Law’s Families & Family Law?" Antwerp, Belgium (July 12, 2023).
Linda, as the author of Chapter 4 in "Research Handbook on International Child Abduction: The 1980 Hague Convention (Freeman, Taylor, eds), participated in the book launch at the ISFL Conference. Linda also moderated a panel on various country policies dealing with transgender children.
Welcome Comments at the Opening Session of the 35th Annual Gerard Manley Hopkins Conference, July 21, 2023. I mentioned Des Egan’s 30+ year relationship with Washburn and the long list of faculty and students who have attended the conference, including Bill Langdon, John Hunter, Jim Kelly, Karen Ray and others. I also discussed the role of arts in our lives.
Additionally, Professor Elrod presented to international visitors - "The United States and Operation of the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction," U.S. Department of State International Visitor Leadership Program, Global Ties KC, Kansas City, MO, May 18, 2023.
Burke Griggs, Professor of Law, served as a Fulbright Scholar during the 2023-24 academic year, as the inaugural Fulbright Scholar in Law and Sustainability at NOVA Law School in Lisbon, Portugal. During his time at NOVA, Griggs taught courses in American law and international environmental law, and researched problems in transboundary water management and critical minerals mining.
Professor Griggs also serves as a Subject Matter Expert in Environmental and Natural Resources Law for the U.S. Department of Commerce, where he contributes to the department's Commercial Law and
Development Program ("CLDP"). As part of his CLDP work, Griggs has provided materials and advice on legal matters relating to the regulation and development of critical minerals across South America, most notably Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru. A recent article of his, "Asking the Right Questions about Lithium," was recently translated into Spanish by the U.S. State Department for circulation across South America.
Craig Martin, Professor of Law, led the study abroad program in Japan, with a 3 week course in comparative constitutional law held at Osaka University, in May/June of 2023. Ten Washburn Law students were joined by 4 Osaka University students in a joint class.
Prof. Martin also testified on the subject of economic sanctions under international law in the House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Parliament of Canada, in September 2023.
Additionally, Prof. Craig Martin presented a paper on the significance of rights-based climate change litigation at a conference at Case Western University School of Law on Climate Change and International Law at a Crossroads, in October, 2023.
During the Summer of 2023, I attended the Academy of Management Conference, in Boston that explored the theme “Putting the Worker Front and Center”, Academy of International Business Meeting, in Warsaw (Poland), and X-Culture Global Symposium, in Lublin (Poland). During these meetings, I made research presentations, attended research presentations made by top scholars in the field of management and international business.
I also participated in a research hackathon, where interested participants described their research programs, outlined their current and future research projects, asked for input and expressed collaboration interest, and formed teams with specific objectives and contributions for future research
Visit to the University in Warsaw (Uniwersytet Warszawski) with friends and colleagues during the Academy of International Business Conference. In this picture from July 9, 2023, we recognize the X-Culture academic experiential exercise that brought us together by crossing our arms in the shape of the X letter.
Ted Shonka (Theatre Department)
My Sweet Sabbatical started in England and rapped up in Valencia, Spain. After seeing seventeen performance events and many museums and churches, I learned a great deal about eclectic theatre spaces and the variety of technical concerns for productions in Europe. While also visiting Belgium, Czechia, and Italy I was able to gather many sketches and photos of cool architecture, both old and new. Weaving these wonderful experiences into my lesson plans has, I hope, sparked an interest in international travel.
Wonjae Lee
In recent years, I have been researching and designing Augmented Reality (AR) Interaction Designs, which can be used mainly for educational purposes. Starting with the conversion of my personal visual essays into AR Interactions, I expanded the research to the collaboration with tet[R]ad: Draw and Play Here, which is organized by two Art Education professors, David Modler from Shepherd
University and Samuel Peck from U Mass, Dartmouth. My responsibility for the collaboration is converting selected sketchbook pages into AR interaction. While collaborating, I developed an interest in comparing sketchbooks between the United States and Korea. This sparked an idea for my 2023 Sweet Sabbatical research project - to find a potential partnership with a public school, organization, or museum to collaborate on this project. During the 2023 Sweet Sabbatical, I visited the Museum of Kids Books and Arts (MOKA) located at the Hyundai Department Store in Pankyo, Korea (https://www. hmoka.org/en/) and met the Director of MOKA, Jeong-min No. I had an opportunity to showcase my personal and collaborative works with tet[R]ad: Draw and Play Here and discussed a positive relationship in the future.
I believe that international art exchange can foster cross-cultural understanding and encourage acceptance of diverse perspectives, especially among children, through partnerships and exchanges.
Hélène Perriguey-Keene, Lecturer in French & Spanish
The goal of my Summer 2023 sabbatical was twofold: to rekindle my fluency in Spanish and to immerse myself in the rich tapestry of French culture and lifestyle, which I had not experienced in quite some time. In France, I sought to delve into the evolving nuances of language usage while exploring one of the oldest cities in the country. Additionally, I aimed to know and experience a different region of Spain that was previously unfamiliar to me.
Balancing intensive Spanish lessons with exploration, my two weeks in Alicante, España, were
filled with enriching experiences. Highlights included visits to the historic Santa Barbara Castle, exploring the world of art at the Museo del Ninot and MACA, and delving into Alicante's resilience through the underground shelters from the Spanish Civil War known as Refugios. The lively Hogueras de San Juan festival, featuring the colorful desfile del ninot costumed parade, added vibrancy to my trip. Venturing to Altea along the Costa Blanca, provided breathtaking views of the Mediterranean coastline, with its charming Church of Our Lady of Solace (La Mare de Deu del Consol) standing out against the azure sky. Indulging in delicious seafood and turrones while enjoying serene café experiences in Soho Park added to the coastal charm, creating unforgettable memories of my time in this vibrant Spanish city.
Transitioning to Lyon, France, for another enriching fortnight, I immersed myself in the city's rich cultural tapestry, from solemn visits to poignant sites like Izieu, a stark reminder of the Holocaust's tragedy, to exploring Lyon's silk heritage and labor rights advocacy at the Musée des Canuts. Roaming the atmospheric streets of Vieux Lyon, I marveled at its architecture and culinary delights, while venturing through the traboules, hidden passageways that are emblematic of Lyon's unique urban landscape. A visit to the Gallo-Roman Amphitheatre transported me
to Lyon's ancient past, while exploring the historic Hôtel-Dieu, a former hospital, highlighted the city's commitment to healthcare. Indulging in Lyon's gastronomic delights at the Musée de la Gastronomie and celebrating puppetry tradition at the Musée de la Marionnette enriched my experience further. The UNESCO World Heritage sites scattered throughout Lyon, including Fourvière, Saint Paul, and CroixRousse, added depth to my exploration, offering insights into Lyon's historical and architectural significance. Paying homage to Lyon's role in the French Resistance at Monluc Prison completed my immersive journey.
Overall, my time in both Alicante and Lyon was a poignant journey through history, culture, and human resilience, leaving an indelible imprint on my understanding of these vibrant cities. I feel incredibly fortunate and grateful for this sabbatical, which has enriched me personally, linguistically, culturally, and professionally as a language teacher, providing valuable knowledge to impart to my students.
Miguel Gonzalez-Abellas – Colombia
Tom Hickman – the Netherlands
Norma Juma - UK
Joey Kendall-Morwick – Scotland
Jason Miller - Canada
Lindsey Moddelmog – Argentina & Brazil
Kim Morse - Colombia
David Price - Australia
Tonya Ricklefs - Colombia
Pam Schmidt - Cypris
Left to right:
Manaf Sellak, Assistant Professor of Economics, Akhadian Harnowo, Associate Professor of Production & Operations Management, Kerry Wynn, Professor of History, and Hoang Nguyen, Assistant Professor of Chemistry were 2023 inductees of Phi Beta Delta (PBD), Honor Society for International Scholars.
“As the project concluded, I left Sao Paulo with a heart full of unforgettable memories and a mind enriched by the collective intelligence of my peers from around the world. The experience taught me the true power of global collaboration, the importance of embracing diverse perspectives, and the impact of presenting our ideas with passion and confidence.”
Andrew Pujado, WU International Business Experience, Sao Paulo, Brazil
“Meeting people from around the world was my favorite part… As a social worker, being globally aware is essential and I know that this study abroad experience opened my eyes to a lot of things. It also made me rethink a lot about what I want to do post-graduation, I am still not completely sure, but it brought a lot of opportunities to my attention. I hope I can travel more of the world and connect with more people throughout the rest of my life.“
Kiann Khamphouy, Vorarlberg University of Applied Studies.
Washburn Transformational Experience: International Education
Reflecting on the past year of joys and challenges, I’m pleased to share our continued success in supporting students’ transformational experiences in international education. Through experiential learning in multidisciplinary study abroad programs our students engaged with global partners and advanced their academic careers becoming global citizens. In 2023 study abroad continued to rebound to nearly reaching pre-pandemic levels with 118 students studying abroad. Students departed on journeys far and wide, returning with a better understanding of the values, beliefs, traditions, and perspectives of individuals from different corners of the world.
The International Programs Scholarship Committee awarded $101,200 in scholarships to students participating in 2023 study abroad programs. Programs ranged in length from 2 weeks to one academic year semester. Students who completed their study abroad program as an International Education Washburn Transformational Experience received $66,200 in IE-WTE scholarships. An additional $35,000 of International Programs Scholarships awards were made possible through the Geneva Seybold Scholarship Fund. We thank our donors and sponsors for their generosity, vision, and support for study abroad.
The University of Worcester in the United Kingdom is the newest option for a semester exchange through the Magellan Exchange Network. Located in the heart of the West Midlands on the banks of the River Severn, Worcester is a university city with a beautiful cathedral and a fascinating history, boasting interesting architecture, medieval sites, sports teams and venues, independent boutiques, high street shopping, and exciting events.
Kelly McClendon M.A. TESL, Senior Lecturer, Coordinator of Intensive English
Intensive English Program students in 2023 were from Japan, Nepal, Brazil, China, Venezuela, Italy, South Korea, and Mexico. The instructors that make our program so successful are JiSoo Abbuehl, Dr. Crystal Buck, Lynette Hosek, Kelsey Huff, Dr. Roger Laubengayer, Ann Lorenzo, and Tisha Sinclair. Ann and Lynette joined our team in the fall.
After General Education credit in Humanities was approved for the Level 3 courses last year, Level 2 was approved to count for bachelor’s degree credit, like elective courses do. And even more exciting news… the IEP will be offering Level 3 Speaking & Understanding as a dual-credit CEP course at Washburn Rural High School! This project has just been finalized and made ready to go for Spring 2024. I look forward to telling about its success next year.
Fun facts: 1) Several IEP students have joined the University Choir and are now considering minors in music. 2) Over the last 5 years, 95% of degree-seeking IE students pass English 101 and Public Speaking after completing Level 3 courses.
What is your pathway to where you are since graduating from Washburn?
Upon finishing my undergrad at Washburn University, I was not exactly certain what I was going to do but did know that I wanted to own my own business someday. While finishing my MBA at Washburn, I married the love of my life and we moved to Dallas, TX upon my completion of the MBA program. Several weeks later, I came across a training opportunity to become an independent business owner in sales and marketing. Putting into practice the skills I learned at Washburn, the owner promoted me to a Campaign Manager after my first seven days. Over the next year, I built on top of the foundation Washburn gave me and developed valuable skills such as how to train people, grow and build teams, run meetings, lead marketing campaigns, and interviewing skills. Within my first two years, I was selected to attend the 2012 and 2013 Owner’s Getaway, a prestigious event for award-winning business owners, which fueled my passion to own my own business even more.
After 2 years, my dream came true and I opened my own business in San Antonio, TX. By 2019, I grew my business to over 60 employees and helped pass along my dream to others by opening 13 business owners across the nation. Everything was looking up, then Covid hit. By the end of 2020, I only had 8 employees left and all but 3 of the owners I had opened were still operational. Determined to not be discouraged, I adjusted to the “new norm” and figured out how to grow my business again.
By the end of 2021, I rebuilt my business to over 50 employees and opened up 15 more business owners, bringing my total to 18 businesses nationwide. And my business partner promoted me within his business to a Regional Consultant. From there I have only continued to grow my business and help others achieve their dream of owning their own business. Currently my business has over 65 employees and has helped put 44 people into
business ownership.
Please share the impact of your Washburn experience on your professional and personal growth?
During my time at Washburn, I was fortunate to get involved in several groups, such as the International Group, and be in leadership positions within those groups. The leadership experience I gained through those years, helped me to step up in the business world, take chances, and grab onto opportunities I may have otherwise let pass by me. I believe those early experiences have helped me get to where I am today.
Could you share a few words of wisdom for international students/CIS majors?
The only failure you will ever have is quitting. As long as you don’t quit you will achieve what you want. Mistakes are the part of journey, just keep learning.
Welcome Dinner fall 2023, sponored by International Center of Topeka Board Members
Professor Russell Smith has been a strong supporter of international programs at Washburn University since his first year as a faculty member (1984). This support for international activities was embedded in his major roles in the University Council (1992 – 2000), MBA Director (1996-2002), and Associate Dean in the School of Business (1998-2022).
As associate dean he provided support to the School’s international activities and the activities of internationally active faculty, as well as reviewing international transfer credit. In China, he developed and coordinated specific school-to-school cooperation agreements, most notably a curricular program leading to the Washburn degree. In Europe, he represented Washburn in the Magellan Exchange, a study abroad consortium. In 2023 he established the Russell E. and Melissa H. Smith International Study Scholarship.
Ethan Matthais took us along for a typical day in the life of a study abroad student during his spring semester at Don Quijote Spanish Language School in Barcelona, Spain. To view his Instagram Takeover and more Bods Abroad takeovers visit: https://washburn.studioabroad.com/_portal/ student-stories-&-more. Follow us in Instagram at @Bodsabroad and on Facebook @Washburn University Study Abroad.
Dr. Pedro Zeijlmans
van Emmichoven
Lecturer of Physics
Dr. Pedro Zeijlmans
van Emmichoven earned his Master’s degree as well as his PhD from Utrecht University in the Netherlands. After getting his degrees he was employed for three years by Oak Ridge National Laboratories in Tennessee and for half a year by the University of the Basque Country in Spain. He then returned as assistant professor to Utrecht University where later on he became associate professor. He worked on a wide range of topics: atomic, molecular, and surface physics and nanoscience. After several years in Utrecht he took up a new challenge as group leader at the Dutch Institute for Fundamental Energy Research. He was involved in setting up a large project intended to support the international ITER project for thermonuclear fusion. During his research years, dr. Zeijlmans van Emmichoven has always been active in teaching physics to undergraduate and graduate students. Being very fond of teaching, he decided to continue his career as full-time lecturer at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences. Presently he enjoys teaching physics at Washburn
University and in particular the close interaction with students in the small classes. In his free time, he likes to ride his (mountain)bike, play the chromatic harmonica, read, and go to movies and concerts.
Anya Pogorelova is the Interim Director of Bands at Washburn University where she teaches courses in music education, conducting, and directs the Marching Ichabods, University Band, and the Washburn Wind Ensemble. As a passionate advocate for access to music education for all, Anya is the founder of the Topeka New Horizons Band and previously served as the assistant director of the Roeland Park New Horizons Band. Prior to teaching at Washburn, Anya directed and assisted with instrumental music programs in rural Saskatchewan and economically marginalized areas of Atlanta and Kansas City. She is an alumna of the University of MissouriKansas City Conservatory (DMA, MM), Georgia State University (MM), and the University of Saskatchewan (BM, BEd).
A delegation from our sister institution in France, the Université Clermont-Auvergne, visited Washburn University in October 23, 2023 to discuss the continuation of the student exchange agreement between both universities, with a potential broadening to include faculty.
Pitcure above from left to right (as you look at it): Miguel GonzálezAbellás, Professor and Chair of Modern Languages at Washburn University, Courtney Sullivan, Professor of French at Washburn University, Bénédicte Sisto, Associate Professor of American Studies at Université Clermont-Auvergne, and Christophe Aurine, Head of International Business with French program (IBF) and Summer Schools at Université Clermont-Auvergne.
The School of Nursing hosted three faculty from South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences (XAMK) on campus December 4, 2023.
Miia Myllymaki, Senior Lecturer of Nursing, Sanna Valliaro, Director of Education, and Perttu Noponen, Senior Lecturer of Social Work. They learned about our different programs and discussed potential student exchanges and shared student experiences via zoom. The group also discussed opportunities with faculty in the School of Applied Studies. While on campus they attended servial classes and toured the SON simulation labs and the Physical Therapy Assistant classroom/lab.
Pictured Below from left to right: Debbie Isaacson, SON; Miia Myllymaki, XAMK; Caren Dick, SON; Jane Carpenter, SON; Sanna Valliaro, XAMK; Lara Rivera, SON; Zach Frank, SAS; Amy White, SON; Belinda Eckert, SON; Michelle Heusi, SON; and Perttu Noponen, XAMK.
Sangya Yogi (pictured`` above) was one of the 37 women to receive the competitive, international scholarship.
The Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship is an award sponsored by the Zonta International program. The scholarship helps women pursue undergraduate and master's degrees in business management, and overcome gender barriers from the classroom to the boardroom.
The scholarship has an extensive application process that requires two recommendation letters, a personal essay and a transcript. The program operates at the club, district, region and international levels. Zonta International offers 37 scholarships, each worth $5,000. In addition to the financial aspect of the award, recipients also gain notoriety and networking opportunities in the business career field.
Yogi is an international student from Dang, Nepal. When she researched colleges
“Sangya did well in the course with a score that tied for a rank of first in a class of 25 upper level students, many of whom were seniors and above her junior status.”
internationally to attend, Yogi concluded that the Washburn School of Business would be the best fit for her. She is doublemajoring in business data analytics and finance and will graduate in May.
“I chose the Washburn School of Business because it is very reputed and has been accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB),” said Yogi. “Washburn is also pretty affordable compared to other schools at the same level. I was able to get a good departmental scholarship and was also impressed by the comparatively lower cost of living in Topeka.”
Yogi feels engaged and prioritized at the Washburn School of Business due to class sizes and the experienced faculty and staff.
“Sangya Yogi took online financial management during the spring of 2022 when she was a junior studying data analytics and finance,” said Rob Hull, Clarence W. King endowed chair in finance business at the
Washburn University School of Business. “Sangya did well in the course with a score that tied for a rank of first in a class of 25 upper level students, many of whom were seniors and above her junior status.”
Yogi wanted to apply her experience directly from the classroom as well by pursuing an internship in her field. In May of 2022, she accepted the position of business systems analyst intern at Security Benefit, one of the many businesses in Topeka that partners with the Washburn School of Business to recruit students for internships and full-time jobs after graduation. These community partnerships serve as a catalyst for economic development and provide access to professional and civic business resources.
For more information on the scholarship and to read Yogi’s bio, visit: https://www.zonta. org/Web/Programs/Education/ Women_in_Business_Scholarship
Congratulations to the following students, who overcame challenges and obstacles during the past year and graduated! We are so proud of you! Go Bods!
Name
Kamana Adhikari
Rakan Alghamdi
Braden Babcock
Alisha Bajracharya
Anuki Bakashvili
Ajar Basnet
Daniel Bird
Nilam Dangi
Avinash Dhimal
Raul-Alin Dicu
Saimon Ghimire
Quang Le
Chenxi Liao
Eduardo Lobato Nunes Pinto
Raul Marini
Tomoki Moriyama
Sanskar Neupane
Huu Thien Nguyen
Nha Khue Nguyen
Nnenna Nwafor-Orizu
Anthony Odoh
Cole Roberts
Devendra Shrestha
Simran Shrestha
Yixin Ying
Sangya Yogi
Ahmed Alanazi
Abdulrahman Alghanem
Sumnima Limbu
Aashra Neupane
Junnosuke Saito
Country Degree 1st Major 2nd Major
& Biotechnol
Nepal
& Biotechnol
Nigeria
Canada
Nepal
Nepal
China
Nepal
Saudi
Kuwait
Nepal
Nepal
Japan
Name Country Degree Major
Alghanem Abdulrahman
Anil Sahil
Balami Sajju
Ban Laxmi
Bhattarai Ankita
Hidaka Yumi
Ifeabunike Chukwudi
Isobe Minami
Karki Raunak
Le Anh
Miyamoto Kaho
Nagano Masatake
Neupane Aashra
Robb Patrick
Tabukum Gilian
Yoshikado Fumito
Zermiani Hoffmann Bassanesi Larissa
Business
Integrated Studies
Computer Information Science
Global Legal Studies
Nursing
Art
Global Legal Studies
Psychology
Computer Information Science
Computer Information Science
Economics
Marketing & Management
Business
Business
Global Legal Studies Economics Biology
Luiz
Mohammad
Kereser
Mousam
Alessandro
Marco
Divita
Stuti
Stephanie
Justine
Tim
Chukwudi
Minami
Hinata
Tessa
Maja
Aika
Kaito
Barsha
David
Tauan
Rajeshwori
Urshula
Jihwan
Rina
Yuhei
Ana
Aayush
Aayush
Rashmi
Lama
Tochukwu Sylvester
Qi
Girish
Moritz
Utsav
Samira
Guilherme
Rasna
Patrick
Anish Kumar
Aaradhya
Nirajan
Sapnish
Sujane
Samikshya
Gilian
Yusuke
Elias
Ilaria
Alcantara
Asfaque
Augustin
Bhandari
Di Gregorio
Flores
Gadtaula
Ghimire
Granada
Gutierrez
Hammes
Ifeabunike
Isobe
Isobe
Jeffery
Jung
Kajihara
Kashiyama
Kattel
Kibet
Lyra
Malla
Manandhar
Min
Miyano
Morimoto
Muruzabal Cuevas
Nakarmi
Nanju
Neupane
Nima
Onah
Pan
Paudyal
Pieper
Poudel
Prasai
Puerta
Ranabhat
Robb
Sah
Shah
Shahi
Sharma
Singh Maharjan
Subedi
Tabukum
Takahashi
Umoke
Villa
William H. Guild International Program Fund
Geneva Seybold Endowment Fund
International Student Scholarship Fund
Max Bickford Rotary International Education Fund
Geneva Seybold Endowment Fund
William H. Guild International Program Fund
Class of 1912
Lauranna Russell Clothier International Scholarship Fund
Lauranna Russell Clothier International Scholarship Fund
International Education Endowment Fund
Allyn O. Lockner & Barbara McCandless Interntionalists Fund
William H. Guild International Program Fund
The Rev. William & Susan Krause Memorial Fund
International Education Endowment Fund
Geneva Seybold Endowment Fund
William H. Guild International Program Fund
Lauranna Russell Clothier International Scholarship Fund
Class of 1912
ICT/Betty Jo "Bo" Sheafor Memorial Fund
International Education Endowment Fund
Allyn O. Lockner & Barbara McCandless Interntionalists Fund
William H. Guild International Program Fund
Hula International Student Fund
Lauranna Russell Clothier International Scholarship Fund
Internatonal Student Scholarship Fund
ICT/William O. Wagnon Scholarship Fund
Class of 1912
ICT/William O. Wagnon Scholarship Fund
Class of 1910
Stanley Curyea Memorial Fund
Class of 1910
Francine Pomeranz Memorial Fund
William H. Guild International Program Fund
Class of 1910
Allyn O. Lockner & Barbara McCandless Interntionalists Fund
William H. Guild International Program Fund
Lauranna Russell Clothier International Scholarship Fund
Lauranna Russell Clothier International Scholarship Fund
William H. Guild International Program Fund
The Rev. William & Susan Krause Memorial Fund
Jack Miller International Scholarship Fund
Jack Miller International Scholarship Fund
ICT / Williamg Langdon Fund
Class of 1910
William H. Guild International Program Fund
William H. Guild International Program Fund
International Programs Scholarship Fund
Stanley Curyea Memorial Fund
Class of 1910
William H. Guild International Program Fund
Feb. 8 – Courtney Sullivan and Kerry
Wynn- Women in WWII class/trip
Women in WWII: A Study Abroad in France
Feb. 22 – Marcia Cebulska
Poland And Polish America: A Writer’s View
March 22 – Manaf Sellak
Morocco, the Kingdom of the Western Place
March 29 - Crystal Stevens & Belinda Eckert
Washburn University School of Nursing Special Topics: Costa Rica
April 5 – Ye Wang
Art Travel in France and Italy
April 19 - (Elya) Eleonora Taranina & Svetlana Zolotaikina
Russian vs American Student Life
September 13 – Linda Elrod
Rethinking Law’s Families and Family Law: The International Society of Family Law’s 18th World Conference.
September 20 – Tom Prasch
Tracking an African Civil War: Sudan, Spring 2023
September 27- Azyz Sharafy
South Asia. Nepal, Bangladesh & Bali. Art, Art Education & Cultural: Similarities and Differences
October 18 – Dmitri Nizovtsev
2023 Russia through the eyes of an expat
October 25 –Miguel González-Abellás Cartagena de Indias: Pictures from the South American Caribbean.
November 8 – Linsey Moddelmog - Nordic States—Happiest People in the World?
November 15 – Bill Fiander & Students
Cuba Libre - Lessons from the Ground
November 29 – Laura Murphy
Who Owns the Past? The Status of Decolonization in European Museums
