On June 14, 174 graduate and undergraduate students came together to celebrate the Jackson School’s 2025 Spring Convocation, held in the University of Washington’s HUB Ballroom.
The one-and-a-half-hour ceremony, led by Jackson School Director Danny Hoffman, marked the granting of academic degrees for 133 undergraduate and 41 graduate students. Over 700 family and friends of the students witnessed the event, along with Jackson School faculty and staff.
“Every convocation is special,” Hoffman said. “It feels like there is a special magic in coming together to celebrate and honor your remarkable achievement this year.”
Stephen Meyers, Jackson School Associate Professor and chair of the master’s program in international studies, introduced faculty presenting their doctoral and master’s program students. The director of undergraduate programs and an associate director of the school, David Bachman, presented the undergraduate students and respective awards.
Watch or listen to the ceremony
A message of hope from the 2025 Distinguished Speaker
Jessica L. Beyer, an assistant teaching professor at the Jackson School and University of Washington alum, gave the keynote address as the 2025 Distinguished Speaker.
Assistant Teaching Professor and 2025 Distinguished Speaker Jessica L. Beyer speaks at the Jackson School on Convocation June 14. Photo by Kerry Dahlen.
“When I was asked to do this speech, it was heavily implied that I was chosen because people thought I would say something hopeful about the world,” Beyer said. “That’s hard these days. What is going to become of us? What is going to become of the most vulnerable of us? But, it may surprise you to hear that I feel hopeful many days — note, not all of them, but many of them — and the reason for that is because of you.”
Beyer also received this year’s annual Jackson School Student Association (JSSA) Student Service Award in recognition of her outstanding dedication and continued support of students. She was previously presented with the award in 2019 and 2023.
“Dr. Beyer truly embodies the core values of the Jackson School, fostering a strong sense of community, connection, and collaboration among students, faculty, and the broader UW community,” JSSA officers Sejal Antal, Kalisha Dent, and Allie Goodman-Callender said.
Celebrating impact with the Jackson Leadership Award
This year, Antonia Romana Zito was selected as the recipient of the Jackson Leadership Award given annually in spring. Zito, an International Studies and history major, received the $5,000 award for her leadership, community service, and scholarship while at the Jackson School.
“As a part of the Jackson school community, we share a common identity — our goal is to address the historical and current issues in the world,” Zito said. “This is what makes us Jackson School students.”
Jackson Leadership Award recipient Antonia Romana Zito gives a speech during the 2025 Jackson School Convocation on June 14. Photo by Kerry Dahlen
Speaking to her peers, Zito emphasized the weight and importance a Jackson School degree held in the face of an ever-changing world.
“As the global and political landscape shifted rather quickly in the past year, I questioned my future career path for the first time,” Zito said. “I had a conversation with my father in which I told him I had lost hope and did not see the value in my work anymore … I am grateful for what my father told me, and I will share that with you now: ‘Antonia, your work matters more than ever in this moment. In this moment, you have the chance to shape the future’ and it is true. We have the power to shape the path of our world, and that is the true beauty of the Jackson School.”
Academic honors and recognitions
Other students honored during the ceremony included:
- Graduate Book Award: Chaoying Li, M.A. in China studies
- Undergraduate Book Award: Micaela Adam, B.A. in International Studies and Japanese; and Sofia Valenta, B.A. in International Studies
- Best Honors Thesis Award: Upajna Palepu for “Ethical Frontiers: Evolving Ethics and Emerging Public – Private Alignment Amid Global Strategic Competition,” B.A. in International Studies
- Donald C. & Margery S. Hellmann Scholar Award: Fern Hinrix, B.A. in International Studies; and Safaa Turner-Rahman, B.A. in International Studies
Recipients of the following achievements were also recognized:
- Dean’s medal nomination
- Mortar Board Alumni/Tolo Foundation Scholarship
- Fulbright Scholar Program
- Critical Language Scholarship
