Global Program News
Global Community Initiative Newsletters
Each quarter, the Global Community Initiative Newsletter will be posted in this section.
August 2021: Global Community Initiative Newsletter, August 21
April 2021: Global Community Initiative Newsletter April.21
Students partner with Salahaddin University to take second place in Global Solutions Sustainability Challenge
April 2022
Twelve Highline College students participated in the Global Solutions Sustainability Challenge, where we virtually partnered with students from Salahaddin University in Kurdistan, Iraq to develop a sustainable solution to challenges faced in our communities. Under the Stevens Initiative, the Global Solutions Sustainability Challenge, implemented by IREX, connects college students in the United States, Jordan, and Iraq to virtually collaborate on a sustainable solution to local challenges related to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. We developed the “Rainwater Harvesting Umbrella” in order to address the water shortages faced by people around the world, but specifically in Erbil, Kurdistan. Our team was called Team 16: Goal Diggers and you can see the presentation of our work here. Our bi-national team won the second place award of $1,500 which can be put towards efforts to further develop our project.
This project is an example of a Global Virtual Exchange program where students from two different countries meet together virtually as part of a class. These Global Virtual Exchanges provide a unique way to make learning come to life, help students develop important skills such as cross-cultural collaboration and teamwork, and have a global experience without the costs of going abroad.
Global Solutions is supported by the Stevens Initiative, which is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and is administered by the Aspen Institute. It is also supported by the Bezos Family Foundation and the governments of Morocco and the United Arab Emirates.
Forging Ahead with Global Supply-Chain
By Sam Kaplan, Director of the Center for Excellence in Global Trade & Supply Chain Management (March 11, 2022)
As our little rotating globe grows ever smaller and as supply chains continue raise their heads above the cacophony of global issues, students, faculty and staff here at Highline College and other area colleges have a chance to engage tangibly on both of these issues with a partner in Vietnam. For a better part of a year Highline and Foreign Trade University (FTU) in Hanoi have forged a partnership on the anvil of virtual exchanges with the promise of other tools of engagement in the future.
Image: Washington state college students meeting for a Global Supply-Chain workshop with students from Foreign Trade University over the zoom.
Last week, Highline and FTU organized another in a series of virtual exchanges focused on the opportunities and challenges of the supply chain in both Vietnam and the Seattle area. More than 90 students participated from FTU and a variety of colleges in Washington state, including Highline College, North Seattle College, Tacoma Community College, and Central Washington College (CWU). CWU itself has a partnership with Highline, including in working with Highline’s BAS in Global Trade and Logistics. And Highline also partners with TCC, North Seattle (and Wenatchee Valley College) on a follow the supply chain study abroad program to Vietnam. This program will feature two virtual programs this April and a trip, if the pandemic continues to recede, to Vietnam this fall (link to application).
At the virtual workshop with FTU last Wednesday night (Thursday morning in Vietnam—navigating time changes are part of global trade and supply chains), Dr. Tran Cong Thang–Director General, Institute of Policy and Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development in Vietnam–spoke about the current state of supply chains in Vietnam. Vietnam has become an important center of global supply chains in recent years with factories and assembly plants moving there. Of course, the pandemic has impacted supply chain hubs around the world, including in Vietnam, as Dr. Thang explained. Vietnam has contained COVID-19 better than most countries, including by periodic shut-downs. These shut-downs presented challenges for Vietnam’s assembly, manufacturing and distribution companies and institutions. Fortunately, Vietnam has one of the highest vaccination rates in the world, and an effective system in place to manage the risks of Covid-19, which will help Vietnam as the world continues to battle the virus.
Also speaking was Steve Balaski, Director, Business Development, Northwest Seaport Alliance. Mr. Balaski told us about the alliance formed three years ago between Seattle and Tacoma. This Northwest Seaport Alliances helps the ports compete together for business rather than against each other. With a large increase in imports from Asia, our ports have had to deal with congestion in our ports, Balaski told the virtual workshop audience. Vietnam has become increasingly important for our ports and to the Washington state economy. Vietnam is now one of the largest trade partners through our marine ports and largest destination for air cargo by tonnage from Sea-Tac Airport. Vietnam is an increasingly important partner for our state’s economy and the 170,000 jobs in global trade and supply chain management in Washington.
After the two speakers, students from FTU, Highline and other area colleges were able to engage in small breakout rooms. Each student talked about where they were from, what classes they like and their plans for careers in supply chains. In addition, Students from FTU presented on various aspects of supply chain issues at the Vietnam-China border in the breakout rooms. Students had a robust discussion based on these students’ presentations.
The evening/morning was a wonderful opportunity for students from all of the educational institutions to learn about Vietnam and Washington state and supply chains. Highline and FTU are organizing another virtual exchange scheduled for May. Contact Jenn Ritchey at jritchey@highline.edu if you are interested in participating.
Highline College is a Top Producer of Fulbright U.S. Scholars
On February 28, 2022 Highline College was recognized as a Top Producer for the Fulbright Program. To learn more about this recognition, visit the Highline College News Page.
Student Idea Exchange with University of Transport in Vietnam Expands Horizons
On Wednesday, June 16th students from Highline College and the University of Transport came together to learn from each other about the Global-Supply Chain. Students from both institutions presented about their recent findings in Global Supply-Chain on a variety of issues, including smart technology and humanitarian aid, the athletic footwear industry, Vinamilk, Dragon Fruit, Trung Nguyen Coffee, and Covid-19 Vaccines. As part of the exchange of ideas, all participants were able to comment and ask questions about each presentation. It was remarkable to consider both the similarities and differences with Supply-Chain for both countries.
Image: Zoom screen showing small windows of workshop participants.
Not only did participants learn from each other’s presentations, but they were also able to get to know each other better through breakout sessions. In smaller groups, the students were able to connect with each other about their major, lifestyle, and what is happening in their countries in regard to the Covid-19 pandemic. The students shared that the experience greatly helped them to think outside the box and see the world from a different perspective. Several participants also noted that they were impressed with the breadth of knowledge they gained from participation and the depth of coverage that occurred.
Workshops like this help prepare students for future careers and develop deeper global understanding. The recent pandemic has emphasized the importance of global knowledge, and we plan to have regular Global Supply-Chain workshops with Vietnam throughout the 2021-2022 school year. Stay tuned for more details about these workshops and how you can get involved.
Behind the scenes of the Global Supply-Chain: Workshop provides students with a unique opportunity
Image: Foreign Trade University sign on campus with university in background. Photo Credit: Hanoi Times, 2018.
On Thursday, May 20th Highline College students virtually joined with students from Foreign Trade University in Vietnam for a workshop on Global Supply-Chain and Trade. Foreign Trade University has three different institutions in Hanoi, Quang Ninh, and Ho Chi Minh City and has a strong reputation for its prestigious academic programs. This workshop was the Kickoff Event for a series of workshops that the two institutions plan to host virtually.
On behalf of Highline College, representatives included:
- Michael Pham, Vice President of Administrative Services
- Sam Kaplan, Director of the Center of Excellence for Global Trade and Supply Chain Management
- Jenn Ritchey, Program Manager for Global Programs
- Phuong Thuy, Representative Manager for Highline College Office in Vietnam
- Shawna Freeman, Business Faculty
- James Peyton, Economics Faculty
- Kaitlin Bermingham, Program Specialist for the Center of Excellence for Global Trade and Supply Chain Management
- Michika Fukumori, Intern for Global Programs
On behalf of Foreign Trade University, representatives included:
- PGS, TS. Trịnh Thị Thu Hương, Vice President of Institute of Economics and Business Administration
- Nguyễn Minh Phúc – Lecturer In charge of a high-quality program specializing in Logistics and Supply Chain Management with international career orientation.
- Nguyễn Thị Bình – Principal Lecturer, In charge of Scientific Management and Development Cooperation.
Foreign Trade University was also joined by several other lecturers from the Institute of Economics and International Business. The combined representatives from each institution provided students with their own respective expertise and then also helped to facilitate smaller group discussions in breakout sessions.
Through this event, students were able to learn about what it looks like behind the scenes with Supply-Chain in Vietnam and the U.S. They were also able to spend a little bit of time getting to know each other in smaller breakout sessions. The focus of the breakout rooms was to share some of the challenges that the Supply Chain has been facing in each respective country. In total, there were eighty two participants in the two-hour long event.
Vice President Michael Pham stated “This workshop provided a wonderful opportunity for both Highline College and Foreign Trade University to interact and learn from each other. We truly value this global virtual exchange opportunity, especially in the current environment where it is more challenging to travel. We are honored to work with Foreign Trade University and look forward to the future when we can work together in a variety of ways.”
New Global Theme chosen for the 2021-2022 Academic Year
The inaugural Global Community Initiative (GCI) annual theme for the 2020-2021 academic year was Asia. Over the past year, this theme enabled us to connect with and learn from and about this very important region. Even as this academic year draws to a close, we hope that you will continue to think globally and look for opportunities to engage locally.
Integrating UN Sustainable Development Goals Into Annual Theme of GCI
Our Global Programs Strategic Planning Committee has exciting plans for upcoming annual themes of the Global Community Initiative. Starting next year, each theme will focus on a United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (UN SDG). By choosing a UN SDG as the annual theme for the Global Community Initiative, we will learn what’s happening throughout the world through the lens of this global “blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.” Focusing each year on a different UN SDG will help us consider how the choices that we make as individuals and as an institution have an impact on the overall health and well-being of the planet.
Good Health and Well-Being SDG
You voted- we listened! In the online vote that took place in May, the Highline Community overwhelmingly chose Goal #3 of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as the Global Community Initiative annual theme for 2020-2021.
Goal #3 is “Good health and well-being” and is about ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages. Considering all that we have been through in the past year and a half, this theme is timely, appropriate, and relevant as we continue to prioritize overall well-being.
Please be on the lookout for opportunities to connect with the Global Community Initiative around this theme. We also invite faculty and staff to consider how this theme might connect with their classes or work at Highline College. Feel free to send me and email or call to discuss these opportunities.
Over 300 Students Attend Virtual Workshop
On March 11th, 2021, 308 participants from the Ho Chi Minh City University of Transport in Vietnam joined with Highline students for a virtual workshop entitled “Supply Chain Industry in the U.S. and Vietnam.” Participants gained industry insight as they learned about challenges, opportunities, and even the impacts of Covid-19. Here is some feedback from Highline College students about the experience: “It was fun and interesting because I always wanted to get to know Vietnamese culture… I felt that I could interact with others, despite my poor English. I liked the way our college representative introduced our school and the way the Vietnamese university representative presented their university. Of course, if possible, I would love to attend such a conference again. I think such seminars encourage applications for study abroad.” “It is good to get perspective from a different part of the world around supply chain and logistics priorities.” “The topics about the difference between the GDP of Vietnam (a whole country) and Washington (a U.S. State) was very intriguing. I’d say overall the workshop was interesting enough for me to consider going to another workshop like this.” “I was able to have fun, and it was very interesting seeing how we can deal with trade around the world (in this case was with Vietnam). It was also very insightful because I had no idea that there was a partnership with Highline College and the University in Vietnam.”
Highline Students Partner with Students in Jordan for Global Virtual Challenge
Picture: Students in Global Studies 110 participate in a Global Virtual Exchange program with students in Amman, Jordan.
Imagine partnering with students from across the world, in a completely different time zone, and from a different way of life to try to solve some of the world’s greatest challenges. A group of Highline College students did just that this quarter, partnering with a group of students in Amman, Jordan. It wasn’t easy, and there were times when it felt like our team wasn’t going to be able to meet enough to see any results, but we just kept pushing through towards the goal of presenting our best work to the Global Solutions Sustainability Challenge.
The IREX/Global Solutions Sustainability Challenge pairs community colleges in the U.S. with university students in Iraq and Jordan. The challenge is funded by the Stevens Initiative, which is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, with funding provided by the U.S. Government, and is administered by the Aspen Institute. This cohort’s challenge focused on the Arts & Entertainment Industry. After conducting research and interviewing community members in both the Seattle area and Amman, Jordan the Jordanian and Highline students decided to focus their efforts on food packaging that would be both sustainable and provide a way for food companies to also meet their marketing needs at the same time.
As the challenge enters its final stages, it’s important to reflect upon the learning that has taken place. In a time where classroom learning has been turned on its head, the program provided the space to build global community. On a regular basis, the students from both countries would stay long after class had ended to connect and learn from each other. Zoom class attendance was high, the students were engaged, and most importantly, throughout the program they gained key skills that will propel them forward in their future academic and career endeavors. Despite the challenges, global virtual exchange programs provide enormous opportunities for Highline instructors to bring out the best in our students by connecting with who they are. To learn more about Global Virtual Exchange Opportunities at Highline, email Jenn Ritchey at jritchey@highline.edu.
Highline’s Global Community Initiative Launches This Fall (2020)
Image: Wooden boat on water reflecting sunset colors, facing towards mountains.
Inaugural Project’s First Focus Will Be On Asia
From K-pop to innovative sustainable technologies, the number of ways countries in Asia have influenced different cultures and the world economy are vast.
That’s why, starting this fall, learning opportunities centered around Asia will be the first focus of Highline College’s new Global Community Initiative. The yearlong global initiative will be implemented for years to come with different global themes each year.
“Asia is an important source of international students,” said Sam Kaplan, director for the Center of Excellence in Global Trade and Supply Chain Management. “It is 60% of the world’s population and increasingly drives the world economy. For our students to succeed, they need to understand Asia and what it means for our world.”
Students, workers, and refugees from Asia with diverse cultures, histories, languages, and traditions have long settled in Washington state and forged local communities while also maintaining connections to their homelands. Until 1965, racist, sexist, and nativist laws barred or limited the ability of Asian people to enter the U.S. and become citizens. For the past several decades, Asians have been the fastest growing racial group in the U.S., largely due to migration from Asia. In the 2018 American Community Survey, about 1 in 10 people who live in Washington state described themselves as Asian and over half were not born in the U.S. The Asian population is even higher at Highline College, and they are similarly diverse in terms of ethnicity, nativity, religion, citizenship status, language, and income.
Highline’s Global Community Initiative will offer a variety of events, programs and learning opportunities to guide students in critical thinking, quantitative reasoning, effective communication, information development, community and social responsibility, and in developing global perspectives in an increasingly interconnected world.
The Global Programs Strategic Planning Committee sought to help Highline students, staff and faculty engage and interact with the complexities of living in a global society in an effort to build community. The initiative will also help the college integrate and institutionalize diversity and globalism throughout the college, a core theme and pillar of its strategic plan.
“During a time of social distancing, and yet when so many issues our world faces are transnational, it is a perfect time to launch such an initiative,” said Michael V. Pham, Vice President for Administration, who also serves on the Global Initiatives Leadership team. “Highline College is the most diverse community college in Washington state and one of the most diverse in the country. It is also located in a region where so many jobs are connected internationally, so our students are primed to benefit from this initiative.”
This year’s initiative, called Global Community Initiative: Asia will highlight the college’s partnership with Vietnam, as the country is playing an increasing role in international trade and supply chains. Not only has Vietnam won praise for its efforts to contain COVID-19, but the college has a budding relationship with a variety of partners in Vietnam. In September 2019, the Highline College-based Center of Excellence in Global Trade and Supply Chain Management worked with Global Programs to conduct a successful study abroad program there. Highline College has also opened an office in Ho Chi Minh City (see video below).
This year’s Global Community Initiative will also examine many countries in Asia, their impact on the world and various social, environmental and economic issues related to the region. Asia is a large and diverse region of the world with many countries and cultures, all of which impact our region and college in one way or another.
“For all these reasons and more, focusing on Asia is an excellent choice for the inaugural global theme,” said Jenn Ritchey, Highline’s program manager for Global Co-Curricular Programs.
But this work can’t be done alone. The planning committee is looking for internal and external partners to advance the mission of Global Community Initiative: Asia. To get involved, contact Jenn Ritchey.
Highline student takes home award at Portland Model United Nations Conference
From February 14-16th, 2020 thirteen Highline College students participated in the Northwest Model United Nations Conference in Portland, winning an award, deepening their international understanding and highlighting Highline’s remarkable global diversity. Participation in this conference truly brings out the voices of the unique global community found at Highline. For example, Alice Lupe (the student in the picture below) is from Sudan and has numerous experiences with the work that the UN does throughout the world. Through this conference, she was able to share her practical experience with students who know about the UN only through research.
Picture: Highline student Alice Lupe represented Brazil to the UN Population Fund committee, where she gave a speech about the importance of Youth Participation and Leadership. Photo credit: NWMUN/ Kristina Mader.
Picture: Thirteen Highline College students represented Vietnam, Brazil, Sweden, Mauritius, Pakistan, Iraq, and Antigua and Barbuda. Photo credit: NWMUN/ Kristina Mader.
Picture: As the acting representative to the Security Council for Vietnam, Highline student Titus Kariuki votes on an initiative to help bring peace to the situation in Mali. Photo credit: NWMUN/ Kristina Mader.
For this conference, our students did research on:
· Combating Trafficking in Persons
· Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States
· Comprehensive Sexuality Education
· Youth Participation and Leadership
· Review of Human Rights in Fiji, Libya, Italy
Highline students participated in the 2019 Seattle Conference
From November 22-24, Highline College students participated in the Northwest Model United Nations Conference in Seattle. These 16 Highline students represented the Congo, Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, New Zealand, and Colombia as delegates to the conference. There were approximately 350 participants from both 4 year and 2 year institutions throughout the U.S. and Canada. Even though this was the first time many of our students participated in anything like this, they did a very impressive job!
Picture: Model United Nations team at the conference in Seattle.
For this conference, our students did research on-
- Protecting and Ensuring the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
- Sustainable Agricultural Development, Food Security, and Nutrition
- Protecting and Ensuring the Economic and Social Rights of Migrant Domestic Workers
- Science and Technology for Development
- Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Rural Women and Girls
Picture: Mohamed Jama, Highline College student government president gives a speech about Colombia during a moderated debate. Photo credit: NWMUN/ Kristina Mader.
Picture: Titus Kariuki asks U.S. Ambassador Robin L. Raphel a question during the opening ceremony. Photo credit: NWMUN/ Kristina Mader.
Supply Chain Study Abroad Program, September 2019
Photo: Students from Washington state colleges pose with students from the University of Transport in Vietnam.
While many of us took summer vacations, basked in the Seattle summer and otherwise frolicked, students from Highline College and three other schools—Tacoma Community College, Wenatchee Valley College and North Seattle College—followed the supply chain on a study abroad program that took them from the apple orchards of Wenatchee, to a shoe headquarters in Seattle to factories, wholesale markets and the Mekong Delta in southern Vietnam.
And students only had to pay a $500 fee to participate thanks to generous sponsorship of The Boeing Company, Lynden Logistics, Federal Way Chamber of Commerce and the UW Global Business program. This led to a group of students participating who were as varied and diverse as the populations of our region and these colleges.
At Brooks Headquarters in Seattle, our students learned how the shoes are designed and tested using capture motion and other high technology methods. They also learned how sustainability is a big part of Brooks’ supply chain and the complexities of bringing their shoes in through customs and their use of a Foreign Trade Zone before they are shipped off to their warehouse in Indiana.
In Vietnam, they saw a factory where the shoes are manufactured, met and talked with workers and managers of the factory, and saw how these shoes are drawn from many assembled parts into a final product.
In Wenatchee, CMI Orchards showed our students their packaging facility which uses high technology to sort and grade the apples. And, the students saw the orchards and learned how apples are grown using a variety of high technology methods. In Vietnam, they saw how the apples are shipped in cold storage containers through Cat Lai Port and they saw actual Washington State apples for sale in the main wholesale market for all of southern Vietnam. At the end of the trip, one of our students commented, “I had no idea how complicated it was for a Honey Crisp apple to arrive on my table.”
The students also learned about the culture, economics and politics of Vietnam. They were briefed by the U.S. Consulate, spent a half day with students of Vietnam’s National University and toured the Mekong Delta. Many of these students had never traveled internationally before and for some it was their first trip other than to Canada and Mexico.
We hope this will not only be the first of an annual follow the supply chain study abroad program, but part of an expanded Study Abroad effort at Highline College. The aim is to provide students of all backgrounds, an opportunity to see the world up-close, something increasingly important in our international region and globalized world.
The Follow the Supply Chain Study Abroad Program was a combined effort of the Center of Excellence for Global Trade and Supply Chain Management and Highline College Global Programs under the leadership of Michael Pham, vice president of administrative services; Jenn Ritchey, program manager of Global Programs; Kevin Stanley, Economics Faculty; and Sam Kaplan, director of the Center of Excellence.
Highline Model UN President Wins Award at University of Washington
On Saturday May 18-19th four Highline College Model UN students participated in a Crisis Simulation at UW Seattle. Highline students represented Israel, Lebanon, and Iran at the conference which focused on a crisis on the Lebanon-Israel border. Noah Dorsey who has served as head delegate to Highline’s Model UN team for the past year, took away the Best Delegate Award for the Israel cabinet. This award was given to Noah for this excellent contribution to the crisis simulation. The students really enjoyed being on campus and being able to connect more with the Jackson School of International Studies.
Highline Student Wins Model UN Award
From February 16–18, sixteen Highline College students attended the NW Model United Nations Conference in Portland. There were approximately 200 students that participated from college and universities all throughout the country. Highline students represented the Netherlands, Afghanistan, Somalia, Philippines, India, Burkina Faso, Libya, Botswana, and Dominican Republic. Additionally, Highline College student Azelle Bahadory won an award for her position paper in the General Assembly committee. She wrote about climate change and the rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination as the representative from Afghanistan. Way to go Azelle!
Highline students participated in the 2018 Seattle Conference
From November 16-18, 13 Highline College students participated in the PNW Model UN Seattle Conference. This conference was held in the Renaissance Hotel, and students participated from colleges and universities from throughout the United States and Canada. Ko Tanaka served as the Head Delegate and President of the team, and Political Science Instructors Marianne Ide and Jenn Ritchey served as the faculty sponsors. Highline College students represented Romania, Turkmenistan, Netherlands, Morocco, Pakistan, and Lebanon for the duration of the three-day event. Participation required research, negotiation, giving speeches, diplomacy, and working together to solve great problems.
Marketing their International Experience
From November 12-16 Global Programs partnered with the Hospitality and Tourism Management Department, Center for Excellence, International Leadership Student Council, and UNICEF to host International Education Week. This week of events is celebrated throughout the U.S., sponsored by the U.S. State Department and designed to highlight the benefits of international exchange in education.
Yangzhou Polytechnic Institute
For many years now, Highline College has hosted students from the Yangzhou Polytechnic Institute for a short-term language and cultural emersion experiences. This year, 7 students and 1 staff member participated in daily intensive language courses and took regular trips into Seattle to experience the Space Needle, Pike’s Place, University of Washington, and local museums.
