This winter quarter, 54 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.
Riley Centerwall during the March 14 Task Force evaluation day.
Name: Riley Centerwall
Expected to graduate in: Spring 2025
Degree: B.A. in International Studies
Task Force title: Beyond Borders: Managing Asylum and Refugee Policies in the U.S. and the EU
Task Force instructor: Anand Yang
Hometown: Sacramento, California
What has been your favorite Task Force experience? Did anything surprise you from when you first heard of the Task Force program and the on-the-ground experience?
My favorite Task Force experience during my capstone in winter 2025 was probably the final editing phase that the editors and project managers embarked on, as most of this work was very detail-oriented and focused on beautifying our policy recommendation paper. It was really rewarding to see the paper come together and look professional, and it was a moment where I really felt amazed and grateful for the leaders that I got to work with during this project. Additionally, at the Task Force evaluation, our question and answer session with Dr. Susan Martin was an incredible learning experience, and her insights on our paper and presentation truly made our capstone experience special.
What key skill(s) do you think the Task Force program gives you?
Task Force gave me countless valuable skills, but I think the most notable is teamwork, communication, and adaptability. Our Task Force had 13 students, so the initial part of the quarter where we were planning our chapters and structure of our project was incredibly difficult due to all the different opinions and ideas that my classmates had. As one of the Task Force report editors, my ability to be precise and detail-oriented when editing my peers’ papers was highlighted and challenged, with Task Force shaping how I ask and develop questions. Conducting research with a strong, flexible team is now a priority for me as I look into graduate schools, as well as Fulbright programs. Additionally, Dr. Anand Yang recommended that I apply for the Rhodes Scholarship to support further education at Oxford. This was incredibly impactful to me during the Task Force project, as Dr. Yang’s advice inspired a lot of confidence in my abilities as a leader, writer, and also as a valuable community member in Seattle.
What impressed you about the Task Force evaluation day? What part of the presentation did you find most rewarding?
The Task Force evaluation day emphasized the importance of asylee-refugee informed migration management. Dr. Martin’s questions and comments were indeed valuable in shaping how we might improve our Task Force report. That said, I was impressed the most by my teammates and their abilities to think of improvements and changes on the fly, as well as providing supported clarifications for why we chose to focus on certain regions or policy recommendations. As stated before, the Q&A section where our Task Force discussed issues, triumphs, and improvements with Dr. Martin was the most rewarding part of our presentation.
What is your advice to students interested in becoming an International Studies major at the Jackson School? In your own words, how would you promote the Task Force program?
Like all areas of study, the professors and individuals whom you connect with within a department really defines your experience in the major. The Jackson School has countless professors that care deeply about their students, from supporting [the Center for Human Rights‘] Know Your Rights events for international and undocumented students to meeting with students curious about changing their major. My advice is to talk to your professors and take advantage of their knowledge! Most Jackson School professors want to experience and learn from the new generation of leaders. My first year at UW, I had a class with Jackson School researcher Jason Young, now director of the Technology & Social Change Group (TASCHA), who emphasized the rewarding nature of the Donald C. Hellmann Task Force program, ultimately inspiring me to change my major to global and regional studies (now international studies). I encourage new undergraduate students to ask questions and get to know your faculty and advisers and, if you’re feeling brave, debate with them! The Task Force program is truly a unique opportunity to work in a committee-like environment, where you navigate people and institutions of different interests and backgrounds. Being with a team also keeps you accountable. One of the reasons why I chose to do Task Force as opposed to the advanced readings capstone is because of the team effort and mutual support that a Task Force brings. We all leaned on each other when things were tough this quarter, particularly since migration policy has been completely upended this year. Moreover, I’m not only walking away with a network of future leaders in international studies, but I’m leaving with more friendships and community than I had before. That, in itself, is invaluable.
What career are you interested in pursuing after graduation?
After graduation, I plan on continuing my work as volunteer coordinator and coalition member of the Seattle Affected Persons Program, which supports an initiative that will be on the 2026 Seattle electoral ballot. Additionally, I’m considering graduate school in Europe and am hoping to go into a career researching diaspora and migration studies, specifically how colonial legacies impact diasporas and forced migration. In tandem with this, I’d also like to explore gender studies within diasporas, particularly in documenting experiences of transgender or gender non-conforming immigrants, and work on improving protections for gender minorities within migration systems. Right now, this could look like working with a non-governmental organization (NGO) or conducting research at an acclaimed research institute/university. I’m grateful to have the support of faculty and advisers as I narrow down my options for future education and research.
Anything else you would like to add?
Thank you Dr. Anand Yang for your continuous support throughout this process.
I would also like to thank Dr. Kathie Friedman and Dr. Sabine Lang for their unwavering support and commitment to forced migration justice and solutions. While neither of these professors were our official Task Force faculty advisers, their input through interviews and conversations proved essential to our understanding of U.S. and EU asylum and refugee policy.
