This winter quarter, 86 undergraduates completed the Jackson School’s Donald C. Hellmann Task Force Program, a capstone course founded in 1983 that involves several weeks of research, writing, and group collaboration on a current global issue. The program concludes with a student-led evaluation day, where each Task Force presents their final report to an subject field expert. We talked with six students about their experiences in Task Force, what they learned along the way, and how the program has informed their futures.
Meet Sabrina Chun, B.A. International Studies, 2026
“One of the most meaningful aspects of the Task Force experience was the team dynamic that developed over the course of the quarter. Through long hours of collaboration, discussion, and revision, we built a strong sense of trust and mutual respect. We learned how to rely on each other’s strengths and how to refine ideas collectively rather than individually.”
Hometown: Mercer Island, Washington | Task Force: China’s Space Diplomacy Around the World
Meet Lilian Chung, B.A. International Studies, 2026
“The Task Force program definitely gave me a taste of a professional, fast-paced environment. It taught me how to communicate and work across teams to make our final product cohesive. Additionally, it gave me a new respect for the writing process, especially under strict time constraints.”
Hometown: Redmond, Washington | Task Force: Averting War: Taiwan and U.S.-China Relations
Meet Claire Gersich , B.A. International Studies and Political Science, 2026
“Without a doubt, the Task Force program teaches you unmatched skills which prepare you for future work in a professional and academic setting. However, these are not the only skills it teaches you. This program teaches you how to work with people in a professional way, but also in a capacity which emphasizes life-long friendships. We found out how to create relationships which balanced our hefty work load, but also incorporated a sense of fun and amicability.”
Hometown: Pleasanton, California | Task Force: China’s Space Diplomacy Around the World
Meet Dawda Kawsu Jawara, B.A. International Studies, 2026
“The Task Force program provided me with valuable skills, including addressing real-world issues, developing policies, and presenting and debating policy decisions. However, another crucial skill I gained from the program is the ability to collaboratively conduct in-depth research on a policy problem. Working as a team to develop a policy brief has been an honor and a privilege, and it gave me insight into real-world scenarios at the policymaking level in public administration.”
Hometown: The Gambia | Task Force: U.S. Soft Power After Trump
Meet Priya Khaira, B.A. International Studies, 2026
“My favorite part of Task Force was being around people who care so much about the work that we’re doing. When I first heard about Task Force, I went in with the same dread that most group projects bring. To my surprise (and delight!), everyone in the group was open to dynamic collaboration and was willing to pitch in so our report could be a great representation of all our research. My faith in group work has been restored, to say the least, and I do really believe that it takes a lot of people working together to produce something truly impactful.”
Hometown: Mountlake Terrace, Washington | Task Force: Autonomous Weapons Systems, Drones, and the Future of Conflict
Meet Nora VanRees, B.A. International Studies and Law Societies and Justice, 2026
“Through Task Force, I’ve learned how public policy can be a powerful force for institutional change.”
Hometown: Portland, Oregon | Task Force: The Price of America First: Rebuilding U.S. Soft Power after Trump
