Critical Language Scholarship Program | News and Stories

News and Stories

Celebrating International Women and Girls in Science Day

On International Women and Girls in Science Day (February 11), we celebrate the achievements of women in science and bring attention to the gender gap that still exists in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields globally. In recognition of International Women and Girls i…

CLS Program News — February 11, 2022


CLS Refresh Spotlight: Chisom Obasih

Meet Chisom Obasih, psycholinguistics researcher, 2017 CLS Japanese alumna, and current CLS Refresh participant! For Chisom, what began as a curiosity for Anime and Japanese voice acting has evolved into a career in psycholinguistics research merging her interests in Japanese language and culture w…

CLS Program News — January 31, 2022


CLS Refresh Spotlight: Victor Yau

Meet hip-hop diplomat Victor Yau! Victor is an alumnus of the 2015 CLS Korean Program in Gwangju, South Korea and the 2021 CLS Refresh Program. For Victor, what began as a fascination with Korean breaking — the proper term for ‘breakdancing’ —  has evolved into a public diplomacy career as a U…

CLS Program News — January 26, 2022


Advisor Chat: Heather Sweetser

Meet Heather Sweetser— CLS Program Advisor, 2007 Arabic alumna and overall rockstar. Heather advises for CLS at University of New Mexico where she has taught Arabic for over seven years. Heather’s Arabic language journey began in 1998 when she enlisted as a linguist in the U.S. Army. An unsatisfact…

CLS Program News — January 25, 2022


CLS Refresh Spotlight: Liz Adema

Meet 2016 CLS Swahili Scholar and Refresh participant, Liz Adema! Liz participated in the CLS Swahili program in Arusha, Tanzania six years ago and in the time since her motivation to learn Swahili has become even stronger.   Liz’s husband is Kenyan and…

CLS Program News — January 14, 2022


2021 Alumni Ambassador Year in Review

In a second year with challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, Alumni Ambassadors brought enthusiasm, expertise, and generosity of time to their roles supporting the CLS Program and promoting language study in their communities. We are always grateful to Alumni Ambassadors for their commitme…

CLS Program News — January 12, 2022