Chien is a sophomore double-majoring in Neuroscience and International Studies.

Lillian Chien, a student in the UAB Honors College’s University Honors Program, aspires to become a doctor and practice medicine in areas with heavy populations of Chinese and Taiwanese immigrants. Being selected for the US Department of State’s Critical Language Scholarship program will help her follow that dream.

Jolley graduated UAB with a BA in International Studies. She earned an MS in Broadcast Journalism from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and is now a producer and reporter with Illinois Public Media.

Majoring in International Studies (ITS) enhanced my ability to analyze cause and effect at a political and a cultural level. This has been useful in many ways as a journalist because it helps me draw cultural parallels between international and domestic issues.

Rebecca Hyde, a sophomore international studies major in the UAB College of Arts and Sciences, has been awarded the William Jefferson Clinton Scholarship, through which she will spend the summer studying at American University in Dubai.

Hyde is a member of the UAB Honors College’s Experiential Learning Scholars Program.

Nicole Rodriguez, a junior international studies and political science major in the University of Alabama at Birmingham College of Arts and Sciences, has been selected as one of only 15 students nationwide to participate in the 2015 Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Summer Enrichment Program.

Rodriguez is the first student at UAB to be named a Rangel Scholar.

Rebecca Hyde, a freshman majoring in international studies, has received a prestigious Critical Languages Scholarship. She is the third UAB student named this year, joining juniors Leah Berkebile and (Charity) Yoonhee Ryder.

University of Alabama at Birmingham seniors Tori Gandy, Yamini Bhat, and Adelaide Beckman have been invited to join the 2015 Teach for America Corps. They will spend the next two years teaching in low-income areas throughout America.

Teach for America (TFA) is a nonprofit corps comprising high-achieving recent college graduates and professionals. Corps members are committed to expanding educational opportunities for children facing the challenges of poverty by committing for two years to teach in high-need schools.

My interest in social justice is grounded in the profound belief that my generation must and will play a central role in fixing the broken systems of our world. For me, this translates to the broken global food system that leaves nearly a billion people without enough to eat. Based on this core value, I have structured my college experience around acquiring the knowledge and skills needed to be a leader in the global effort to eliminate hunger and poverty.