The end of the academic year is always slightly bittersweet. We applaud the achievements of our students who complete their undergraduate and graduate degrees and graduate, confident that they will build surprising and unique professional careers. At the same time, we say farewell to young people whom we have seen transformed by education and research, and who have impressed us with their academic rigor, creativity, initiative and community service.

The students who major in global studies, international studies and international and area studies at the UCLA International Institute, as well as those who complete institute minors, are serious about their studies and take the initiative to improve life on campus and in our greater Los Angeles community, often founding their own nonprofit organizations or joining established organizations. Many graduate with concrete plans to pursue graduate degrees or careers in specific economic and nonprofit sectors.

It is heartening to see how our graduating seniors have embraced opportunities to consciously undertake research and practical actions to make the world a better place, as seen in the articles in this newsletter about our winners of the Dean's Prize and International Development Studies Program Awards, as well as the work of the student-led Global Development Lab. I wish the institute's Class of 2026 the best of luck in the future and look forward to learning where their UCLA educations lead them.