Cal Poly Pomona Kicks Off International Education Week with Cultural Celebration and Global Voices
Cal Poly Pomona celebrated 2025 International Education Week (IEW) with a slate of events that highlighted programs and achievements, showcased student talent and gave the campus community an opportunity to come together.
The kickoff event Nov. 18, which was hosted by Global Campus, a division within the College of Professional and Global Education (CPGE), welcomed about 60 students, faculty, and staff who gathered to honor the global diversity that strengthens the Bronco community.
Lisa Xue, assistant vice president for Global Campus and senior international officer, opened the program with a warm welcome. Attendees enjoyed an international-themed lunch before experiencing a series of cultural performances from CPP’s international students. Performers included Indonesian dancer Arista Nareswari, an undergraduate dance, theater and public relations student; Sara Severova, a music student from the Czech Republic who sang a song; and Stella Bao from the Cal Poly English Language Institute (CPELI), who performed a traditional Chinese dance.
Following the performances, Brandon Tuck, presidential associate for community partnerships, engagement, and outreach, shared welcome remarks that emphasized the university’s commitment to global awareness and intercultural understanding.
“International Education Week celebrates global learning, connection, and collaboration,” he said. “Global Campus plays a vital role in unifying international programs and encouraging the campus community to take part in experiences that deepen global engagement.”
The Global Campus team highlighted current programs and shared the many opportunities available for international study, cultural exchange, and collaborative learning. They noted that CPP is hosting 960 international students from 83 countries, representing undergraduate, graduate, and visiting scholar populations during the fall 2025 semester.
A key moment of the ceremony featured personal testimonials from international students and scholars who spoke about their journeys at CPP, including:
- Ana S. Menjivar Vega, animal science student from El Salvador
- Wenting Jiang, digital marketing graduate student from China
- Mohammed Ali El Hajji, Semester@CPP student from France
- Crystal Han, CPELI student from China
- Yongwang Liu, visiting scholar from China
Each speaker reflected on the support they have received at CPP and the impact of cross-cultural learning on their academic and personal growth. Their stories highlighted the sense of belonging and community that defines the Bronco experience.
The ceremony also included recognition for outstanding service. Larisa Preiser-Houy, interim dean of the College of Professional and Global Education, presented the CPP International Education Outstanding Staff Award to Arthur Wang, interim associate director of international programs operations and principal designated school official. Wang was honored for 11 years of dedicated service and his ongoing commitment to international student success.
“Arthur’s work reflects the spirit of collaboration and inclusive excellence that defines Cal Poly Pomona,” she said.
The event concluded with a lucky draw and an informal social gathering, giving attendees a chance to connect, share stories and build new relationships within the global Bronco community.
This kickoff event marked the start of a weeklong celebration showcasing the value of international education, cultural exchange, and global engagement. IEW events continued with the Study Abroad Fair and Language Café at University Park on Nov. 20, and the Taste of International Culture at the International Center on Nov. 21. These experiences support Cal Poly Pomona’s commitment to preparing students to thrive in an interconnected world.
