A Global Lens

Imagine if you could explore the world—including our small corner of it—and all its stunning beauty without ever booking a flight. Now imagine being transported to Italy or Bhutan and connecting viscerally with a striking photograph that captures a fleeting, but unforgettable, moment in time.

These scenarios play out in stunning fashion with the 14^th annual “Imagining the World” photography competition, featuring images of diverse experiences captured by students, faculty and staff who have traveled and worked abroad.

The campus and greater community are invited to an opening reception celebrating the winning photography, 5–6:30 p.m., Thursday, May 22, in Gallery 2 of the Lemieux Library. The opening reception is free and open to the public and will feature an awards ceremony recognizing outstanding submissions across various categories, including "Education Abroad Students," "International Students" and "Faculty and Staff."

The exhibition, open through September, explores a curated selection of photographs, including the winning entries and honorable mentions, that highlight SU’s commitment to global engagement.

The annual competition invites participants to submit photographs that go beyond typical travel snapshots, aiming to capture meaningful moments that reflect their personal journeys abroad and in Seattle. The theme encourages entries that offer insight into the social and environmental aspects of cultures and locations, inspiring storytelling through imagery.

Assistant Professor of Social Work Meg Cristofalo, PhD, who won first place in the Faculty and Staff category for her photo of a migrant camp in Italy, plans to use the competition winnings of $500 to give back to the community that she photographed.

“I was thrilled to win,” she says, “especially knowing that I could contribute the not-insignificant prize money to the migrant agricultural workers living in the tent city that I photographed.”

Aarti Dashore, a graduate student in computer science, won first place in the International Student category for a striking photo of an approaching thunderstorm.

“Winning this award was a huge surprise and an incredible honor for me,” she says. “I am very grateful to be acknowledged among such talented individuals since I was not sure if my work would stand out. But seeing it recognized like this is incredibly rewarding and it motivates me to keep pushing myself creatively.”

Here’s a look at the full list of winning entries:

Education Abroad Winners

1^st Place: Fern Creson, ’26 (Photography, minor: Writing)
Entry: “Brandon” Ireland
($500 prize)

2^nd Place: Ben Weakley, ’25 (Finance)
“Bus Driver” Bhutan
($300 prize)

3^rd Place: Mariam Gohar, ’26 (Political Science and French double major; minor: Middle Eastern Studies)
“Shores of Senegal” Senegal
($200 prize)

International Student Winners

1^st Place: Aarti Dashore, ’26 (MA in Computer Science w/ Data Science Specialization)
“Moments Before Heavens Open Up” Washington state
($500 prize)

2^nd Place: Helina Yohannes Hailemariam, ’27 (Computer Science)
“Final Touches” Washington state
($300 prize)

3^rd Place: Minjung Kang, ’26 (Accounting)
“Hidden Happiness” Washington state
($200 prize)

Staff and Faculty Winners

1^st Place Meg Cristofalo, Assistant Professor, Social Work
“Tendopoli” Italy
($500 prize)

2^nd Place Joyce Allen, Assistant Director of College in High School Programs  
“Guadalupan Devotion” Mexico
($300 prize)

(No 3^rd place winner)

Get more information about the “Imagining the World” competition.