Michaela Williams
Award/Details
Michaela received a Fulbright to pursue a master’s degree in Poverty and Development from the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom, where she graduated with distinction. She was particularly interested in the role of women's business initiatives in shaping durable local economies, having spent her fourth year at Western as an Adventure Learning Grant Scholar (Fairhaven) in Tajikistan studying economic transition for women post-Soviet control. During her Fulbright, Michaela researched energy and climate-resilient pathways for economic development in the UK and Global South both through her degree program and in her host community of Brighton. Long-term, Michaela aimed to work with business development initiatives for women in Central Asia; after gaining more field experience, she intended to earn a doctorate.
Major
Minor
What are they up to now
Since graduation, Michaela has worked in several humanitarian aid positions, including working as a refugee resettlement case manager and providing Russian transportation services where needed. Michaela also spent three years working closely with members of the Washington State Legislature, including providing cultural background and interpretation assistance for a trip to Azerbaijan for a UN conference on Women’s Civic Engagement. Currently she is a library professional and award-winning persuasive freelance writer, her diverse experiences with and after Fulbright having strengthened her persuasive writing and speaking abilities.