By Bonnie Shea, director of communications, Global Affairs

The newest cohort of Hubert H. Humphrey Fellows has officially arrived on campus. This year’s fellows come to UC Davis from 11 countries to advance their leadership and professional skills through public service collaborations while enhancing their academic knowledge through non-degree coursework.

The midcareer professionals bring international perspectives and expertise in agriculture and rural development, natural resources and environmental science—including climate change and environmental policy.

“These amazing individuals invariably contribute a rich level of cultural diversity to our campus and surrounding communities,” described Karen Beardsley, director of Global Professional Programs in Global Affairs.

“They are true global ambassadors, and we gain so much from their presence for the 10 months that they share their lives and experiences with us," Beardsley added.

With limited or no previous involvements in the United States, Humphrey Fellows stay local and travel as far as Washington, D.C. to engage in professional, cultural, social, and community collaborations, serve as guest speakers, participate in conferences and seminars, and make frequent presentations.

Their first presentation will serve as an official introduction to the community on September 29 at 1 p.m. in the International Center’s Multipurpose Room.

“Whether making professional presentations, waving the flag of their home country at the UC Davis Picnic Day parade, cheering on the women’s basketball team, or attending the farmer’s market, fellows enjoy becoming a part of our community,” said Nikki Grey Rutamu, associate director of the Humphrey Program at UC Davis.

One of only 13 university partners nationwide, UC Davis has been hosting Humphrey Fellows, from close to 100 countries, since 1986.

"By hosting the Humphrey program, we, as a university community, have the tremendous opportunity to learn from the fellows’ perspectives and projects,” according to Joanna Regulska, vice provost and associate chancellor of Global Affairs.

An initiative of the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs, the Humphrey Fellowship program was founded in 1978 by President Jimmy Carter to honor the late senator and vice president, Hubert H. Humphrey, an advocate of international connections and understanding.

“The goals of the program and the public service work of this year's fellows fit seamlessly with both the mission of Global Affairs and the growing presence of intercultural experiences at UC Davis,” said Regulska.

In fact, fellows often develop lasting, mutually-beneficial relationships with campus and community partners, ranging from collaborations with UC Davis units such as D-Lab to various speaking events at places such as Sacramento City College.

“I encourage everyone from the campus and surrounding communities to connect with our program and keep informed about engagement opportunities throughout the academic year,” Beardsley said.

2017-18 UC Davis Humphrey Fellows
 

• Laila Annouri — Morocco
• Selenge Chadraabal — Mongolia
• Bouajila Essifi — Tunisia
• Maria Fernanda Gonzalez — Ecuador
• Litia Gaunavou-Tuberi — Fiji
• Fathimah Handayani — Indonesia
• Kahlil Hassanali — Trinidad and Tobago
• Martin Kailie — Sierra Leone
• Anita Kazamer — Hungary
• Abdi Mohamed — Somalia
• Liu Xin — China

About Global Affairs at UC Davis

Global Affairs brings the world to UC Davis, welcoming more than 8,400 international students, scholars and leaders, and hosting programs that inspire global curiosity, understanding and engagement. Compelled by the valuable outcomes of thinking globally, we make transformative opportunities a reality by supporting the thousands of students and faculty studying and researching internationally-and by facilitating collaborations that tackle the world's most pressing problems through more than 150 international partnerships.

Putting our vision of a UC Davis community that engages, thrives, and leads in this interconnected world into action, Global Affairs is now in pursuit of an ambitious goal: Global Education for All.