The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program, a prestigious program bringing accomplished mid-career professionals from countries around the world to partner universities throughout the United States, returns to UC Davis in 2025-26 with eight Fellows. Rooted in leadership development for international professionals working on critical local and global issues for the common good, the UC Davis Humphrey Fellows will sharpen professional skills, build leadership capacity and engage in meaningful collaboration across campus and with the community.  

“It is an honor to once again host the Humphrey Fellowship at UC Davis. We are eager to get to know the Fellows and look forward to the many collaborations that will come from their time with us and long after,” said Joanna Regulska, vice provost and dean of Global Affairs. “This is truly a mutually beneficial program; by sharing, learning, and engaging with one another, we build expertise and capacity to foster change and solve critical challenges around the world.” 

This is the 34th cohort of Humphrey Fellows hosted by UC Davis. Since 1986, the university has welcomed over 300 Humphrey Fellows from more than 100 countries. UC Davis is one of only 11 universities hosting the Humphrey Fellowship program this year–an initiative of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, administered by the Institute of International Education. The program helps advance U.S. and global security and economic growth through strong international partnerships and collaborations. 

“We are excited to welcome our 2025-26 Humphrey Fellowship cohort,” said Jennie Konsella-Norene, associate director of the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship in UC Davis Global Affairs. “Fellows in this cohort represent a range of professions, including engineering, water management, government service, agriculture and nonprofit leadership. Together, they form a growing global network committed to applying what they learn at UC Davis to pressing issues at home and worldwide.” 

“This cohort has a wonderful array of expertise, skills and backgrounds to contribute to UC Davis and the greater community,” said Karen Beardsley, director of the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program in UC Davis Global Affairs. “Over the next several months, there will be many opportunities to engage with them and exchange information and ideas.”   

The Fellows will partner with local non-profit organizations, government units and campus partners. They will also participate in community events, conferences and seminars, and give back to the Davis community.  These experiences help translate learning into practice, strengthening leadership, expanding professional networks, and amplifying impact. 

Those interested in collaborating with the Humphrey Fellowship Program at UC Davis should contact Director Karen Beardsley at kbeardsley@ucdavis.edu or Associate Director Jennie Konsella-Norene at jknorene@ucdavis.edu.  

2025-26 Humphrey Fellows 

• Merita Dema, North Macedonia 

• Agathe Diama, Mali 

• Kadi Kenk, Estonia 

• Bongekile Judith Matsenjwa, Eswatini 

• Zahid Pervez, Pakistan 

• Luis Miguel Sevilla Perez, Ecuador 

• Minjeong Song, South Korea 

• Phub Zam, Bhutan