Imagining the World
Our annual international photo competition celebrates the global experiences of education abroad students, international students, and our faculty and staff.
/0x9:2000x1285/prod01/channel_34/media/seattle-university/college-of-arts-and-sciences/images/14th-Event-Advertisment-(1).png)
What is Imagining the World?
Imagining the World encourages students, faculty, and staff to capture more than a moment in their experience but rather to share a very personal window into the world they explore while working or studying abroad.
Submitted photos will address the theme: “Imagining the World” and should go beyond the “postcard” and express the entrant’s vision and understanding of life in the host country. We welcome all eligible individuals, regardless of their level of photography expertise.
A panel of professional photographers judge the photos on their technical merit and how well they address the contest theme. The chosen images are celebrated with an awards ceremony when the exhibit opens. Winners and honorable mentions are also recognized at the Annual Awards Ceremony and Artists Reception.
Scroll down to see the winners from the 15th Edition of Imagining the World. 14th Edition winners now showing in Gallery 2 of the Lemieux Library!
We expect photographers to ensure that the human rights and dignity of persons whose photos they take, with special care when working with children. This includes asking permission and considering any potential harm that could occur. We have gathered some resources to help guide you.
Ohio University Center for Campus and Community Engagement: Guidelines for Ethical Photography
Photographers Without Borders: Code of Ethics
Education Abroad Students
- Photos must be taken between January 2025 and December 2025 while participating in any SU Education Abroad Program*
- Must have been an SU student when picture was taken and must be an SU student to submit
International Students
- Photos must be taken between January 2025 and December 2025 while participating in any SU Education Abroad Program*
- Must have been an SU student when picture was taken and must be an SU student to submit
Faculty and Staff
- Photos must be taken between January 2025 and December 2025 while leading or participating in any SU Education Abroad Program* or while conducting research or other Seattle University work abroad
- Must have been an SU faculty or staff member when picture was taken and must be an SU faculty or staff member to submit
*Includes all SU-Sponsored, SU-Exchange, Faculty-Led, Non-SU, and Non-Credit Immersion Programs
Award Prizes
/1206x0:3779x3422/prod01/channel_34/media/seattle-university/college-of-arts-and-sciences/images/1st-What-is-it_Jakob-Rushlo-(1).jpg)
Education Abroad Students:
First Prize: $500
Second Prize: $300
Third Prize: $200
/0x29:1040x1412/prod01/channel_34/media/seattle-university/college-of-arts-and-sciences/images/1st-Rooted-in-love%233_Morgan-Kang.jpeg)
International Students:
First Prize: $500
Second Prize: $300
Third Prize: $200
/255x0:745x652/prod01/channel_34/media/seattle-university/college-of-arts-and-sciences/images/Ist-Eyes-toward-tomorrow-Troxel_Kathryn-Troxel.jpeg)
Faculty and Staff:
First Prize: $500
Second Prize: $300
Third Prize: $200
Meet Our 15th Edition Award Winners
This exhibition features a collection of 18 images made up of nine winners and nine honorable mentions
/782x0:4204x3422/prod01/channel_34/media/seattle-university/college-of-arts-and-sciences/images/1st-What-is-it_Jakob-Rushlo-(1).jpg)
Education Abroad First Place Winner
What is it
Taken in France, by Jakob Rushlo, BFA Photography & BA French, Class of 2026
/0x200:1040x1240/prod01/channel_34/media/seattle-university/college-of-arts-and-sciences/images/1st-Rooted-in-love%233_Morgan-Kang.jpeg)
International Student First Place Winner
Rooted Love
Taken in California, by Morgan Kang. BA Accounting, Class of 2026
/174x0:826x652/prod01/channel_34/media/seattle-university/college-of-arts-and-sciences/images/Ist-Eyes-toward-tomorrow-Troxel_Kathryn-Troxel.jpeg)
Faculty and Staff First Place Winner
Eyes Toward Tomorrow
Taken in South Korea, by Kathryn Troxel, CPA, MST, Associate Clinical Professor, Accounting
/521x0:2569x2048/prod01/channel_34/media/seattle-university/college-of-arts-and-sciences/images/2nd-the-new-normal-IMG_4690_Rj-Byron-(1).jpeg)
Education Abroad Second Place Winner
The new normal
Taken in Mexico, by RJ Byron, BA Social Work, Class of 2026
/1000x0:5000x4000/prod01/channel_34/media/seattle-university/college-of-arts-and-sciences/images/2nd-Ice-cave-62025.11.02_11.21.34_Rupeshwar-Rao.JPG)
International Student Second Place Winner
Ice Cave
Taken in Washington, by Rupeshwar Rao, MS Computer Science, Class of 2026
/0x0:2770x2770/prod01/channel_34/media/seattle-university/college-of-arts-and-sciences/images/2nd-Taj-Mahal-2026---3_Brian-Harlan.jpg)
Faculty and Staff Second Place Winner
Taj Mahal 3
Taken in India, by Brian Harlan, PhD, Dean, Cornish College of the Arts
/0x210:2402x2612/prod01/channel_34/media/seattle-university/college-of-arts-and-sciences/images/3rd-The-Sound-Check-Mia-David-(1).jpg)
Education Abroad Third Place Winner
The Sound Check
Taken in France, by Mia David, BA International Studies & French, Class of 2027
/977x0:4883x3906/prod01/channel_34/media/seattle-university/college-of-arts-and-sciences/images/3rd-Seattle-from-the-Water-2025.12.30_17.00.28_Karthikeya-Panangipa.JPG)
International Student Third Place Winner
Seattle from the Water
Taken in Washington, by Karthikeya Panangipalli, MS Computer Science, Class of 2026
/0x510:3060x3570/prod01/channel_34/media/seattle-university/college-of-arts-and-sciences/images/3rd-Curious-Eyes-Jenn-Chan.jpeg)
Faculty and Staff Third Place Winner
Curious Eyes
Taken in Peru, by Jenn Chan, MEd, Senior Advisor, Education Abroad Office
View and Purchase Past Exhibition Books
With the program in hiatus between 2020 and 2021, we created a special edition of past photos.
(Image links to the preview and purchase site for each book.)
