News

GLOBAL STUDIES — Plunging into the deep end of artificial intelligence is far from easy, especially when the outcomes could lean more dystopian than utopian. Which is why Jon Jaramillo, assistant teaching professor of Spanish, is offering students the chance to take the dive in the course, “Artificial Intelligence in Global Contexts.”

SCHNITZER SCHOOL — The Harold Schnitzer Distinguished Symposium on Oct. 6, “We Hold These Truths: 250 Years of the American Experiment at Home and Abroad,” was the first in a new public symposium series hosted by the Schnitzer School of Global Studies and Languages to discuss the most important issues facing the world.

SCHNITZER SCHOOL — Students from the first cohort of Arlene Schnitzer Study Abroad Scholarship recipients, like global studies and history major Margaret Grace, have embarked on their international journeys, pursuing language learning and global engagement. The application for the next round of scholarships is open and available until Dec. 15, 2026.

ROMANCE LANGUAGES — Terence McCulley ’79 (French, history) is a decorated former U.S. ambassador whose dynamic 41-year career in Africa began with an interest in the French language. When asked about his choice of majors and careers, he said he “felt a call” to learn a foreign language all the way back in grade school and eventually developed a love of French and France’s literature and history.

SCHNITZER SCHOOL OF GLOBAL STUDIES AND LANGUAGES — The 2026 Harold Schnitzer Distinguished Symposium on Oct. 6, “We Hold These Truths: 250 Years of the American Experiment at Home and Abroad,” will explore the tensions, contradictions and enduring possibilities of universal promise made by the American national project.

GENERAL SOCIAL SCIENCES, SPANISH — Some students study abroad for a chance to learn a new language, to immerse themselves in a different culture, to gain work experience or for personal growth. Junior Jolie chose Querétaro because she wanted to gain a better understanding of Spanish and the Mexican culture.

JAPANESE — Originally from Oregon, Meg Tsukamoto B.A. ’00 (Japanese) has spent the last 25 years living and working in Japan. She is a professional emcee, serving as both interpreter and facilitator for large events such as wedding receptions, a niche she found after struggling to find a bilingual emcee for her own wedding in Japan.

ROMANCE LANGUAGES, ITALY — Students graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Italian have the unique opportunity to apply to live and work in Northern Italy. Through the University of Oregon’s partnership with the Study Intercultural Training Experience Program, students can work as English-speaking teaching assistants in middle schools and high schools in Italy.

SCHNITZER SCHOOL — Around the world, scholars are confronting how authoritarian power reshapes higher education. The “Global Futures of Higher Education: Autonomy in the Crosshairs” conference brought together 32 speakers to examine this challenge.

SCHNITZER SCHOOL — The Arlene Schnitzer Study Abroad Scholarship is a new source of funding support for majors in the Schnitzer School of Global Studies and Languages who plan to participate in any study abroad or global internship program sponsored by Global Education Oregon (GEO). Meet some of the recipients of the scholarship and learn about where they plan to study abroad.

SCHNITZER SCHOOL — Over 675 Oregon high school students — from Pendleton to Medford — attended the 2026 Foreign Language & International Studies (FLIS) Day at the University of Oregon on May 1. It’s a celebration and exploration of language and culture featuring more than 65 language and culture-related presentations, workshops and hands-on activities.

SCHNITZER SCHOOL — Faculty from the Schnitzer School of Global Studies and Languages took time at the winter Ring Lecture to unveil the proposed global environments major. The proposed major is a result of the Schnitzer School’s work to expand its undergraduate degree programs that integrate the school’s strengths in the humanities and social sciences.

GLOBAL STUDIES — The Schnitzer School of Global Studies and Languages is hosting its annual conference from May 7 to 9, 2026, with the theme “Global Futures of Higher Education: Autonomy in the Crosshairs.” The conference will bring together scholars from around the world to examine how universities are responding to the biggest problems facing higher education today.

FRENCH, ITALIAN, CHINESE — Three professors in the College of Arts and Sciences received Oregon Humanities Center Fellowships for 2026–27 to do just that. The professors — all members of the Schnitzer School of Global Studies and Languages — include Roy Chan, Fabienne Moore and Eleanor Paynter.

ROMANCE LANGUAGES — In the last decade, nationwide, majors in the Humanities such as Romance languages have been a challenged academic discipline. However, over the past two years, the Department of Romance Languages completed a lengthy overhaul of its curriculum to promote student success, with a focus on one-on-one advising with students, and enrollment is up.