This winter quarter, 86 undergraduates completed the Jackson School’s Donald C. Hellmann Task Force Program, a capstone course that involved 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.
Name: Sabrina Chun
Expected to graduate in: Spring 2026
Degree: B.A. in International Studies
Task Force title: China’s Space Diplomacy Around the World
Task Force instructor: Saadia M. Pekkanen
Hometown: Mercer Island, Washington
What has been your favorite Task Force experience? Did anything surprise you from when you first heard of the Task Force program versus the on-the-ground experience?
My favorite part of the Task Force experience was the collaborative process of working through complex problems that did not have clear or immediate answers. While I initially expected the program to focus primarily on research and policy writing, I was surprised by how much of the work centered on defining the problem itself. Before we could move forward, we had to align on what we meant by key concepts like “risk,” what assumptions we were making, and what counted as strong evidence.
A lot of the most meaningful progress happened between drafts—through discussion, revision, and iteration. Over time, we shifted from thinking about individual contributions to focusing on the strength of our collective argument. That process not only improved our final product but also made the experience more collaborative and engaging. It pushed us to be more intentional in our thinking and more comfortable working through uncertainty.
What key skills do you think the Task Force program gives you?
The Task Force program helped me develop skills in strategic thinking, clear communication, and collaborative leadership. One of the most valuable lessons was learning that precision in language is not just an academic exercise—it directly shapes how effective a policy recommendation can be. Small changes in wording often made a significant difference in how our ideas were interpreted.
I also learned how to engage in productive disagreement. Our team had different perspectives on tone, trade-offs, and how strongly we should frame our recommendations, but those discussions ultimately strengthened our work. We learned how to challenge ideas constructively while maintaining a strong sense of team cohesion.
As Project Manager, I gained experience in fostering alignment across a large group. My role involved not just coordinating logistics, but creating an environment where everyone felt ownership over the work and where strong ideas could surface. This experience reinforced that effective leadership is less about having the right answer and more about guiding a team toward the best possible outcome.
What impressed you about Task Force Evaluation Day? What part of the presentation did you find most rewarding?
Task Force Evaluation Day was especially impressive because it felt like presenting in a real policy setting. The level of engagement from the evaluator and the depth of the discussion made it clear that our work was being taken seriously beyond the classroom.
The most rewarding part was seeing how our ideas came together in a clear and cohesive presentation after weeks of iteration and refinement. Answering questions in real time stood out as a particularly valuable experience, as it required us to think critically, justify our assumptions, and communicate our analysis with clarity and confidence. It highlighted how much we had grown in both our understanding of the topic and our ability to articulate complex arguments.
What career are you interested in pursuing after graduation? How did going through the Task Force program impact your career interests/prospects?
After graduation, I am interested in pursuing a career related to international affairs, with a particular interest in diplomacy and global policy. Following my time at the University of Washington, I will be continuing my studies at King’s College London, where I will pursue a Master’s in Global Affairs with a focus on political economy.
The Task Force program strengthened my interest in understanding how geopolitical dynamics shape global outcomes, particularly through my work on China’s international space partnerships. It highlighted how areas like technology, diplomacy, and economic strategy are deeply interconnected, and how policy decisions in one domain can have wide-ranging global implications.
This experience also reinforced the importance of working across disciplines and perspectives when addressing complex international challenges. It helped me become more comfortable navigating uncertainty, forming well-supported analyses, and communicating ideas clearly—skills that are essential in both diplomatic and policy-oriented careers. Overall, the program gave me greater confidence in pursuing a path that combines international studies with real-world policy engagement.
Anything else you would like to add?
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.
I am incredibly grateful for the guidance of Professor Saadia M. Pekkanen, as well as the support from our evaluator, Dr. Ryan Hass, and the research staff who helped strengthen our work. I also deeply appreciate my team and our editor for their dedication and collaboration throughout the process.
While I am proud of the final report we produced, what stands out most is how much we grew as a team—raising our standards, strengthening each other’s ideas, and learning how to navigate complex challenges together.
