U.S. Sen. John Barrasso and Dilnoza Khasilova at Homecoming 2022 Cowboy Coffee. (Courtesy
image)
Dilnoza Khasilova ventured to UW to earn her master’s degree in curriculum and instruction in 2014 and her doctorate in education/literacy studies in 2020. She represents fortitude, courage and ambition — traits that international and global students and alumni often bring to UW.
“I originally came to Wyoming because of family,” Khasilova says. “Once arriving in Laramie, I attended the university to obtain a master’s degree. Campus resources and connections led to my involvement growing. I wanted to bring the world to Wyoming, and I was able to through the World Language and Culture Program — a program developed by a student and conducted through alumni and faculty volunteer work.”
Khasilova continues to serve UW and particularly UW’s WyoGlobal alumni, both international and education abroad. She utilized her life experiences and degrees to achieve several roles on campus, including UW’s first student ombudsperson. She continues to serve the UW community as the postdoctoral engagement fellow in WyoGlobal alumni relations and partnerships.
As a representative of UW, Khasilova has traveled to Poland, Belarus, Morocco, France, Andorra, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. She has also made efforts to bring Wyoming to the world through professional and educational programs in Spain, Germany, England, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Russia.
“I loved everything about UW when I was a student,” Khasilova says. “I particularly loved that, although our campus is composed of a smaller community, the support, care and guidance for students enables them to accomplish their dreams with the help of special mentors, staff and faculty. UW has people with big hearts and unique personalities that encourage entrepreneurial work from students and alumni.”
Khasilova lives by her words, as she remains a lifelong learner. UW serves as a foundation
on which to build her goals, including earning a credential in public leadership from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.
While beckoning in a new year, Khasilova wanted to encourage alumni, and especially international alumni, to set a resolution of remaining engaged with their alma mater. UW depends on unique perspectives, diverse cultures, and creative and inclusive minds to grow.
“It’s important that international alumni remain connected with their alma mater and students in various capacities. International alumni serve as ambassadors of their own culture. Graduation does not mean ending one’s connection to an institution; it means becoming further involved through service programs, community engagement, partnerships and, for those who have the means, donations,” Khasilova says.
The UWAA’s mission is to “Build pride, loyalty and future sustainment among the UW community through communication, involvement, engagement and celebration.” For more information or to become a member of the UWAA, visit www.uwyo.edu/alumni. For students or alumni interested in international opportunities including study abroad, research or domestic programs, email global@uwyo.edu. To hear Khasilova’s recent podcast, visit https://blog.hivebrite.com/brite-ideas-podcast-leveraging-lifelong-learning-to-engage-alumni.