The Jackson School's commitment to regional, cross-cultural, and comparative studies extends well beyond the boundaries of its many formal academic programs. The school has eight Title VI National Resource Centers (NRC) devoted to outreach and public education activities.
Each NRC provides Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) fellowships to graduate and undergraduate students throughout the University. The Jackson School is the number one recipient of NRC and FLAS awards in the country.
The school is named for the late Senator Henry M. Jackson, in recognition of his interest and support for the school and for the field of international affairs.
In July, the National Resource Centers in the Jackson School hosted the annual Community College Master Teacher Institute. This year's theme was Global Development and Changing Gender Roles. The two-day workshop brings together teachers who are interested in incorporating information on international studies into their teaching and mentoring. 
About 100 high school students from around the state had a chance to focus on future goals, and the role of higher education in attaining those goals, during the annual Adelante Con Educación (ACE) Conference at the University of Washington this spring. Workshops focused on student empowerment, cultural appreciation, higher education and self-care. The event was co-sponsored by the Jackson School’s Latin American and Caribbean Studies program.