This year, Jackson School undergrads Tin Pak and Nora VanRees were selected for the Donald C. and Margery S. Hellmann Scholarship.
The annual award provides a $5,000 stipend to support the education and training of Jackson School undergraduates with demonstrated excellence in international studies, clear interest in a career in international affairs, and a strong and creative commitment to promoting the international public good.
We sat down with these students and asked them about their path to the University of Washington and the Jackson School, as well as how the Hellmann award will support their learning interests, favorite classes, advice to prospective Jackson School students, and more.
Tin Pak
Meet Tin Pak, B.A. International Studies and Political Science, 2026
“In the field of international affairs, personal connections are the most important factor. Through connections, projects can form, and ideas can be shared. At the end of the day, whether we enter the foreign service, the Jackson School through its courses and many programs, teaches you how to be a diplomat.”
Hometown: Seattle, Washington
Nora VanRees
Meet Nora VanRees, B.A. International Studies and Law, Societies, and Justice, 2026
“When I found out I would receive the Hellmann Scholarship, I felt overwhelmingly grateful. Becoming a Hellmann Scholar would not be possible without the support of my mentors, friends, and family. I feel honored to be recognized within the Jackson School community for my academic and professional achievements.”
Hometown: Portland, Oregon
