When it comes to resilience, Andrea Solis Olguin clearly embodies it. As a recent UC Davis graduate with a B.S. in civil engineering and a minor in sustainability in the built environment, Solis carries the weight and strength of various identities: she was a reentry student, an international student, and a transfer student. She is also an engineer, a photographer, a storyteller, and a mosaic of lived experiences.
An article by Provost Croughan for the Association of International Education Administrators (AIEA) on the importance of global learning. Writing from both a professional and personal perspective, she reflects on the lasting value of international education and its impact on students, faculty, staff, and collaborators.
Kate is a fifth-year double-major in human development and communications. During her second year at UC Davis, she took part in a study abroad program, and her place of choice was none other than the magnificent destination of Madrid, Spain.
Finding the opportunity to immerse herself in Scotland’s culture and landscape, Anya Nygaard, a third-year environmental science and management major and geographic information systems minor, studied abroad this past summer and had an experience like none other. From exploring the vast Scottish Highlands to countless adventures in Edinburgh, she fulfilled her University Writing Program requirement while spending meaningful time with her lively cohort. Through a blend of journalism and environmental studies, Anya refined her research and writing skills during her four-week stay.
Taking on a mission to expand awareness about global learning opportunities at UC Davis, the Aggies Near and Far podcast club produces educational episodes each month. It is led by Ph.D. candidate and fourth-year graduate student Jannet Torres Espinoza, who takes her knowledge of Latin American Literature, Culture, and Human Rights and applies it to podcasting.
On April 5, 2025, the UC Davis International Center hosted over 150 students, alumni, staff and global professionals for the 5th annual Global Learning Conference, themed Cultivating Authenticity in an Interconnected World.
The Global Impact Fellows Program draws upon UC Davis’ commitment to Global Education for All, which aims to provide all UC Davis students with global learning opportunities and experiences. Additionally, each of this year’s projects is tied to one or more of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which aim to create a sustainable future for all.
Elmira Louie, a Ph.D. candidate and associate instructor in Comparative Literature, strives to build an interconnected world that bridges cultures. Her Ph.D. dissertation, tentatively titled “Resisting the Periphery: Global South Borderlands in Turkish and Persian Literature,” looks at cultures, languages and people on the periphery in Turkish and Persian novels. The global nature of Elmira’s research has enabled her to seek out global experiences and ethical sources for a well-rounded project.
The United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). SDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth is a goal that encapsulates inclusivity and sustainability in relation to economic growth. The Redwood SEED Scholars Program at the University of California, Davis, aligns with SDG 8.
