The International Student Success Program (ISSP), a group that provides community and support for international students in the University of Washington School of Public Health (UW SPH), is the 2025 recipient of the Martin Luther King Jr Community Service Award.
This award is given annually by the UW Health Sciences schools and UW Medicine to an individual or group who exemplifies Martin Luther King, Jr.’s principles through commitment to addressing community needs, particularly communities of color and low income; development and implementation of significant programs to improve the human condition; and outstanding efforts to protect and empower all individuals. ISSP will be honored at a celebration of Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy on Jan. 16 from 12-1 p.m. in Hogness Auditorium. All are welcome to attend.
ISSP was created by a group of students three years ago, some of whom are now alumni of the School of Public Health: Jacinta Ifunanya Azie, Patience Jaman, Alison Wiyeh, Hiwot Zewdie, Mariama Bah and Mohamed Albirair. Most of these students moved from countries in Africa to the U.S. for graduate school, but upon arriving in Seattle, they found that a lack of support for the unique needs of international students was impacting their ability to succeed in school.
They created ISSP to fill the gaps they encountered. The program provides students free airport pickups, temporary accommodations, furniture, household items, mentorship from fellow students, and a workbook with helpful information on everything from setting up a U.S. bank account to signing up for health insurance. They also host community events, like a welcome picnic, to build family amongst international students.
The work of ISSP is deeply rooted in community. Over the past three years, over 90 graduate students of color have been served, thanks to dozens of their fellow students who have volunteered to help move arriving international students into their homes. Community members across the greater Seattle area have donated furniture supplies and home furnishings for the new students. The program became part of SPH’s Student and Academic Services unit in 2023, where it receives further funding and support, though the program continues to be led by students.
“The students of the ISSP represent the best and brightest impulses toward community care and compassion for our newest students,” wrote the co-chairs of the Department of Epidemiology EDI committee, which was one of several nominators of ISSP for this award. “We are so proud to be their colleagues, and we are delighted to nominate them for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute.”
Read more about the community-building work of ISSP:
How a student-created program is building family amongst international public health students
Jacinta Ifunanya Azie, Mohamed Albirair and Alison Wiyeh prepare food together before an ISSP group meeting. Photo by Elizar Mercado.
Support ISSP!
Want to support the work ISSP is doing? Fill out the support intake form or contact ISSP directly at issp@uw.edu.