PhD student, Lenore Matthew has accepted a Research Internship on Social Care Cooperatives with the International Labor Organization, a division of the United Nations, in Geneva, Switzerland. Over 100 applicants from across the world were considered for the position. During this position, Lenore will work across two departments, the Cooperatives Unit (COOP) in the Enterprises Department, and the Gender, Equality and Diversity Branch (GED) in Conditions of Work and Equality Department.  She will gain experience in working with specialists involved in research and information dissemination on the care economy, informal and decent work as related to gender, and cooperative enterprises with a special focus on women's economic empowerment dimensions. Her job duties will include writing policy briefings, contributing to published reports, and implementing an international online survey, among other tasks.  The position will last from May through November 2015 and will complement her dissertation research.

Megan Paceley Receives Campus Graduate Student Leadership Award

PhD student, Megan Paceley, was one of two recipients of an inaugural Graduate Student Leadership Award, sponsored by the Graduate College and its student advisory group SAGE. Overall, applicants demonstrated impressive leadership skills, initiative and ingenuity. Megan received this award at the Image of Research/Leadership Award reception on Wednesday, April 8, in the Illini Union.


Michelle Asbill Receives Fulbright to Study in Bulgaria

PhD student, Michelle Asbill will spend the next academic year in Bulgaria to collaborate with Dr. Elka Todorova (University of National and World Economy) and the Smile Bulgaria Foundation. Her proposed project will focus on qualitative research among young women, raised in Bulgarian orphanages, who chose to avoid prostitution. In addition to carrying out this project, Michelle anticipates working directly with Smile Bulgaria in order to support their current programs engaging Bulgarian orphans.

BSW student, Ryan Kenji Kuramitsu is the Midwest District Council Youth Representative of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL). Kuramitsu, who recently traveled to Alabama for the 50th anniversary of the Selma protests, shares his thoughts with Pacific Citizen, the National Newspaper of the JACL.

"Fifty years removed from Bloody Sunday, Selma remains but one of many battles."