Learning, Leading, Returning: Rawan Alnakhil’s Global Journey

From new arrival to leader, from observer to participant, from quiet adjustment to intentional engagement, Rawan Alnakhil’s experience as an international student at UW–Madison reflects a gradual shift shaped by involvement, connection, and leadership. That shift began through a scholarship program sponsored by Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), a Saudi Arabian industrial company that funds …

Where the Wild Things Are

Matthew Becker ’96 runs one of the world’s largest carnivore conservation projects, protecting big cats, African dogs, and other endangered species.

Recognizing Outstanding Global Engagement in the Class of 2026

Congratulations to the Class of 2026! As the spring semester draws to a close, the International Division is proud to celebrate a cohort of graduates who have truly embraced the spirit of global engagement. These students represent a wide array of our international community—including the Wisconsin International Scholars (WISc) Program, the International Student Services Advisory …

Scientists measure force of powerful jets streaming from a black hole in the Cygnus system

An international team of researchers has measured the power of jets of particles blasted into space by black holes, a first that confirms a prediction made by University of Wisconsin–Madison astronomers a decade ago.

Now a Truman Scholar, UW junior Miranda Garcia-Dove’s dedication to public service is driven by curiosity and kindness

Garcia-Dove is one of 55 new Truman Scholars in the country this year. She was selected for her outstanding achievements out of 781 candidates nominated by 305 colleges and universities. Each winner will receive a $30,000 scholarship toward graduate school and the opportunity to participate in professional development programming.

From Farm to Classroom to World Travel

The 2026 Wolff Fellowship recipient, Chloe Shomo, will spend a year traveling to five continents, taking a holistic approach to studying food systems and their impact on youth.

LACIS Hosts Cuban American Author for Wisconsin Residency

As the author of acclaimed novels like The Only Road and Farewell Cuba, Mi Isla, Alexandra Diaz has dedicated her career to telling stories of resilience and empowerment. The Latin American, Caribbean, and Iberian Studies Program (LACIS) recently hosted Diaz for a week-long residency centered on writing and community engagement.

A Look Inside the 2026 Middle East Studies Conference

On April 17, the Middle East Studies Program (MESP) convened its annual conference at the UW–Madison Memorial Library. Free and open to the public, this day-long event served as a forum for scholars, students, and community members to navigate the political, ecological, and cultural currents defining the Middle East and its global diasporas.

UW–Madison’s Popkewitz receives Fulbright Specialist Award

UW–Madison’s Thomas S. Popkewitz, a professor in the School of Education’s Department of Curriculum and Instruction, has received a Fulbright Specialist Program award.

Message from the Dean–April 2026

If I could choose just two words to describe this past month, they would be “gratitude” and “pride.” During Day of the Badger, students, staff, faculty, community partners, alumni, and friends from around the world came together in support of our international students by contributing to the International Student Emergency Assistance Fund. This fund provides …