Alumni Blog

Equipping our students with the knowledge and skills to thrive as global citizens in an interconnected world is both our passion and a strategic priority. Students are challenged to push beyond their habitual boundaries by taking part in experiential learning across geographical and cultural frontiers. Drawing inspiration from our Jesuit Catholic heritage, we aim to educate reflective global citizens who respond with intelligence and heart to the pervasive global issues of our time.

Seattle is an international city, capturing the world’s attention with global companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, Boeing, Starbucks headquartered here in the Emerald City.  It should come as no surprise that Seattle U attracts a number of international students looking to take advantage of our world class education and desirable location. This year, we have 767 international students from 61 countries on campus.

As those students graduate, our global alumni network grows and now includes nearly 6,000 international alumni in 92 countries. Accomplished professionals who are passionate about Seattle U, they remain important members of the SU community. As Seattle U continues to come of age as a global university in a dynamic city, our international alumni provide valuable feedback, insights and experiences that help Seattle U understand how we can more effectively engage with the world.

With their generosity of time and resources, our international alumni help to prepare our students to be global professionals and excel in an international marketplace. One of those alumni is this year’s University Service Alumni Award winner, Dr. Peter Lee, ’64, from Hong Kong. Dr. Lee was one of Seattle U’s earliest international students and for more than two decades remains one of our most actively engaged international alumni. Passionate about building bridges between China and the United States and helping our students increase their understanding of the impact of East Asian thought and tradition on contemporary global issues, Peter helped fund the Asian Studies Program and established the Peter L. Lee Endowed Lectureship in East Asian Culture and Civilization to advance student understanding of Asian culture and influence in a global economy.

SU remains focused on keeping our international alumni connected and engaged with their alma mater. Over the years, representatives from Seattle University have visited those areas of the world with high concentrations of Seattle U alumni, including Japan, the Philippines, Taiwan and Thailand, with more recent trips to China, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. During these visits, we provide opportunities for alumni to network and share their memories about Seattle U with each other. You can see pictures from some of our most recent trips in our International Alumni Facebook album.

Digital networks provide a great opportunity for international alumni to connect and we are pleased that our alumni have created Seattle U groups on WhatsApp, WeChat and Facebook. 

For international alumni staying in the Seattle area, we have the International Alumni Chapter which hosts professional development and social events that meet the unique needs of our international alumni.

So to our international alumni, know that no matter how far from Seattle life has taken you, you remain an important part of the Seattle University community. And if you come back to visit Seattle U, please come see us in the Alumni Building so we can welcome you back to your alma mater.

Each year our SU Advantage Networking Nights address topics important to the professional development of our alumni. This April’s topic not only presents an opportunity for personal and professional growth, but it is incredibly timely as well. Natasha Martin, J.D., Seattle University’s new Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion, will present “Harnessing the Power of our Differences: Embracing Diversity and Inclusion.”

Dr. Martin will engage participants in a discussion on the value of authentic engagement in a multicultural society. Bring an open mindset to discover why individual context matters and how embracing difference holds promise for living, learning and working inclusively. Leave with increased awareness and ideas to enhance personal and professional endeavors.

In a recent Spectator article exploring the role of Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion, Dr. Martin said, “I think it’s really important for people to understand that what we’re trying to do is to create and sustain a context, the environmental conditions for all of us to thrive—for everyone to feel welcome, valued, respected and to find their place in the institution.”

In the same article, Dr. Martin explained that although she is centered as the anchor, there is a crucial partnership with all stakeholders in order to make a true shift in the climate and culture of the university, a lesson that can be applied to all organizations and individuals striving to make a similar change.

Following Dr. Martin’s presentation, alumni will have the opportunity to network and reflect on the topics addressed.

SU Advantage Networking Night
“Harnessing the Power of our Differences: Embracing Diversity and Inclusion”
Wednesday, April 18, 2018
5:30– 8:00 p.m.
LeRoux Room, Student Center 160

Reserve your tickets to the next SU Advantage here.

About Our Speaker:

Appointed by President Sundborg in September 2017, Natasha Martin is the inaugural Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion. From 2014-2016, Professor Martin served as co-chair of the university-wide President’s Task Force on Diversity and Inclusive Excellence. Professor Martin’s leadership experience also includes three years of service as Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Development in the School of Law and 15 years as a faculty member, where she focuses on Employment Discrimination, Advanced Topics in Employment Discrimination, Professional Responsibility and Torts.

A dynamic and engaging speaker, Professor Martin is passionate about fostering community dialogues on diversity and inclusion matters. Dedicated to broad notions of inclusivity, Professor Martin was appointed twice to the Washington State Gender and Justice Commission and was named to Lawyers of Color’s 50 Under 50 List of minority law professors making an impact in legal education in the 2014 Law School Diversity Issue.