Alumni

We'd love to hear what our former students are up to!  Fill out the alumni update form to send us your news, and visit the stay connected page to find ways to connect with our department and other alumni.

Alumni Profiles

Graduates from our program go on to pursue careers in many fields.  Visit our Alumni Profiles page to see examples.

Alumni News

See below for recent stories about our alumni and their post-graduation adventures.

Recent Alumni News

Graduates, Faculty, and Staff gathered in celebration

Congratulations to the Class of 2023!

The Department of French & Italian Studies would like to congratulate the class of 2023! We are elated to have contributed to their success. On June 8th, graduating majors in French & Italian Studies gathered with their families and professors on campus to mingle, enjoy refreshments, and celebrate their achievements at a graduation reception for the class of 2023. Please enjoy the Graduation… Read more
Collage of images generated with the Stable Diffusion model and prompt "Suzzallo Library in the style of Vincent van Gogh"

2023-2024 Simpson Center Funding for FIS Faculty Research

The UW Simpson Center for the Humanities announced its Fellowship and Collaborative Project awards for 2023-2024, with strong representation from French & Italian Studies including faculty and a graduate alumna!  Anna Preus (English), Geoffrey Turnovsky (French & Italian), Melanie Walsh (Information School), and Richard Watts (French & Italian) have been awarded funding for a new Research Cluster on… Read more
Emma Delpre

Alumni Update: Emma Delapré 

We recently checked in with alumna Emma Delapré about her experience as a French major in the Honors Program. Emma graduated in June 2022 with a double major in French Studies and International Studies: European Studies. Emma wanted to major in French as her parents immigrated from a small town on the northwest coast of France to the US over 30 years ago and she spoke French with them growing up in California. As a heritage speaker she "could speak French colloquially, but I had… Read more
Photo of Pippa Marple sitting at a table in a garden

Alumni Update: Pippa Marple

We recently checked back in with French graduate alum Pippa Marple, who has had an exciting year since graduating last spring. She shared the following update with us: "I graduated from UW in June 2022 with an MA in French Studies, where I focused on French to English translation. Since then, I've moved to York, England where I started an MA program in Art History and began working at the Alliance Française de York. There, I've been able to use the second language teaching skills I… Read more
FIS graduates, Christelle Silue

Congratulations to the Class of 2022!

The Department of French & Italian Studies would like to congratulate the class of 2022! FIS wishes to recognize our graduates for their work ethic and perseverance in continuing their studies online despite a global Pandemic and challenging circumstances. On June 8th, graduating majors in French & Italian Studies gathered with their families and professors on campus to mingle, enjoy refreshments, and celebrate their achievements at a graduation reception for the class of 2022. After… Read more
Simon Ferry

Two Graduating French Majors Accepted to the Teaching Assistant Program in France

Two of our graduating French majors, Simon Ferry and Cecilia Ward have been accepted to the prestigious Teaching Assistant Program in France during the 2022-2023 school year. Simon, a History and French double major from Kirkland, WA will be teaching at a secondary school in the Académie de Amiens. Simon started taking French in high school and kept taking French courses as he… Read more
Photo of Otilia Baraboi

FIS Alumna named new Executive Director at the Alliance Française de Seattle

French Studies Alumna, Otilia Baraboi, has been named the new Executive Director at the Alliance Française de Seattle! Please see the announcement on their website here. 
Chris Tutolo Headshot

For the Love of Teaching

When Chris Tutolo moved to Seattle, Washington to attend the University of Washington, he had one goal in mind—to join a graduate program that would allow him ample opportunities to teach French. While enrolled in the Master of Arts program in French Studies, Chris taught French classes to undergraduates each quarter, giving him the experience in the classroom that he was… Read more
Associate Professor Richard Watts

Congratulations to the Class of 2021!

The Department of French & Italian Studies would like to congratulate our graduating seniors! The class of 2021 has shown true dedication and perseverance to finish their bachelors degrees in a very challenging time. We would also like to acknowledge and thank the families of the graduates for their support and patience during this year. To celebrate our graduates, FIS held a virtual graduation ceremony on Friday, Jun 11th, which we recorded live in Denny Hall on campus and… Read more
Ian Platou in Pisa

For the Love of Rome

    Italian Studies alumnus Ian Platou loves Rome. “It is probably the most unique city in the world” he says. The passion of the Italian people is unique and “you feel it everywhere you go” he says, from the fans cheering in Rome’s Stadio Olimpico to the restaurant owner thanking you for your business. Ian studied abroad in Rome on two separate occasions with the UW Honors Program. He “was so enamored with the culture” and had such a great time during his first study abroad… Read more
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