Dear alumni and friends,

The campus community is enjoying a vibrant spring as we rapidly approach commencement. Congratulations to all our graduating Longhorns! We are so proud of you, and we know that you will take what you’ve learned at UT Austin and use your knowledge, skills, and networks to make the world a better place. You are the reason we say: What starts here changes the world!

I am pleased to report that our education abroad numbers have rebounded to pre-pandemic participation levels. We expect almost 2,000 students to study or intern abroad in dozens of countries this summer. Additionally, over the last several months we have led academic delegations to Mexico, Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan. It has been a pleasure to connect with our alumni and partners in these regions, and to explore new avenues for collaboration and engagement. We look forward to a busy summer full of international programs, during which we will welcome young leaders and entrepreneurs from around the world.

Earlier this spring, we unveiled our 2020-2022 Global Engagement Report, a striking compilation of articles detailing the international activities and advancements of our talented faculty, scholars, students, staff, partners, and Longhorn alumni. I invite you to enjoy the report and the following success stories.

Hook ’em!

UT Austin's connections span more than 170 countries. This report highlights the ways the university's commitment to international partnerships and collaboration helps build an academic community rooted in creative expression and open dialogue, forges cutting-edge advances in research, and unites Longhorns in global service.

Seventeen Longhorns were selected to receive Fulbright awards for Academic Year 2022-2023, earning UT Austin a Top 25 ranking among U.S. higher education institutions for the 14th year.

The Federal Republic of Nigeria named UT Austin history professor Toyin Falola a Member of the Order of Niger, one of the highest national honors given by the country, for his unique contribution to African history and scholarship.

A UT Austin study reveals that white sclera — the “whites of the eyes” formerly considered a uniquely human trait — are more common in other mammals than previously reported, possibly changing the basis for theories of human communication.

As the first artist to receive the Fulbright Arctic Chair award, Professor Beili Liu’s research in Svalbard, Norway, specializes in site-responsive installations and performances dealing with themes of migration, cultural memory and environmental issues.

The ninth annual Global Professional Training: East and Southeast Asia Symposium in January prepared participants for an international career through workshops, an information fair and expert panel discussions covering Asia’s geopolitical and socioeconomic trends. 

Jonathan Jones, a graduate student and sprinter from Barbados, has spent his five years on the Forty Acres etching his name into the track record books — seven times so far — while building a community that feels like home.

Three professors from universities in Mexico came to UT Austin for the Spring 2023 semester to serve as inaugural Fulbright-García Robles Visiting Chairs, teaching and researching in fields as varied as public health policy, trombone performance and pre-Columbian architecture.

Japanese Student Discovers New Passion During English Language Center Program  

With nine other Japanese students from Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Hinako Nakayama approached an intensive program at UT Austin’s English Language Center with three goals: to improve her English skills, immerse herself in U.S. work culture and explore Austin.

Texas Exes Anisa Alhilali and Kera Fonseca, and their sisters, Yasemi Oxley and Lea Alhilali, paid homage to their late father, a champion of education, by establishing the Khalid Alhilali Memorial Scholarship, a Texas Global endowment for Middle Eastern students at UT Austin.

Alumna Siqi Li was triple-majoring in communication science, economics and statistical modeling when a family emergency endangered her ability to pay for school. The Iimura Peace Endowed Scholarship allowed her to remain in her courses and finish her undergraduate degree.

Join the Monterrey Longhorns to experience a concert by the Miró Quartet, UT Austin’s world-renowned string quartet in residence, and an exclusive breakfast event with Senior Vice Provost for Global Engagement Dr. Sonia Feigenbaum.

RSVP or contact globalalumni@austin.utexas.edu for additional information. 

January 11 | I’m humbled and excited to share I will be spending a month with @ampathkenya this March through April. Global health continues to be an important interest of mine and I couldn’t be more grateful to @DellMedSchool for providing this opportunity!

February 14 | We're celebrating ❤️ with two bilingual love stories: https://utx.global/3jX8Q4K. Sinan (Iraq) fell for Jacquie (Mexico) over breakfast after meeting at the English Language Center. Marco & Danila felt an instant connection while studying @UTAustin during Friends of @FulbrightArg.

March 7 | Austin's @BlantonMuseum has received a big gift: more than 5,000 new works of art by Latino and Chicano artists. The pieces represent one of the largest collections of Latino and Chicano art in the world. | via @TexasStandard

March 8 | This week @JCHartzell & I had the pleasure of hosting presidents & provosts from 20 universities across Brazil. @UTAustin is proud of our strong history and lasting connections with Brazil, including faculty research, student exchanges, and alumni engagement. @UTexasGlobal