The I-House Connection: February 2026

February 12, 2026
Shaun R. Carver, I-House Executive Director

Dear I-House Community,Lunar New Year lion dancers 2026

February at I-House has been full of life. Just last night, we celebrated Lunar New Year with lion dancers, red envelopes, and a feast honoring the many Asian cultures that mark this special occasion. Nights like that remind me that food, tradition, and joyful celebration are some of the most powerful tools we have for bringing people together.

That spirit carries through the rest of the month, with DiversiTea and Coffee Hours celebrating West Africa, Greece, and North Africa. It’s been a rich February — and we’re not slowing down. March is shaping up to be just as meaningful.

We kick things off on March 7 with our Annual Gala, where we celebrate honored alumni and dedicated supporters while raising vital funds for I-House. Just a few days later, on March 12, we join the Big Give, UC Berkeley’s campus-wide fundraising day.

For I-House, events like this are especially important. We’re a nonprofit — we receive no state or university funding — so every gift goes directly toward our mission and our work, including upgrades to our nearly 100-year-old home.

The programming and building that have shaped so many lives deserve investment. We want future generations to experience I-House the same way you have. If you feel moved to be part of that, we’d love to have you with us.

Sincerely,

Shaun Carver, I-House Executive Director

Shaun R. Carver Ed.D., MBA 
Executive Director and CEO
International House at UC Berkeley
linkedin.com/in/shauncarver

I-House Gala 2026

Join Us for the 2026 International House Berkeley Gala

Saturday, March 7, 2026
5 p.m. Reception | 6 p.m. Dinner & Program | 8 p.m. Dessert & Dancing

Join us for an unforgettable evening of connection and impact as we celebrate the global community of International House Berkeley. This year, we are pleased to highlight the contributions of the following individuals:

Dr. Victor Pineda (IH 1999-2002), Alumnus of the Year Award

Ker Gibbs (IH 1988-1990), Global Impact Award

Bob Wong (Board Member), The Sherry & Betsey Warrick Mission Service Award

Paige Lyles (IH 2022-2025), Executive Director’s Community Leadership Award

Learn more and reserve your seats: ihouse.berkeley.edu/gala.

Ker Gibbs Alumni Spotlight

International House will honor Ker Gibbs (IH 1988-90) with the 2026 Global Impact Award at this year's gala, recognizing his decades of work bridging the complex relationship between the United States and China.

Ker has spent more than 20 years living between two worlds. Splitting his time between San Francisco and Shanghai, he's navigated one of the most important bilateral relationships shaping global business today. As President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai, Ker became the voice of American business during a tumultuous period spanning the administrations of Bush, Obama, and Trump.

His new book, The Fragile Dragon: Trade, Trump, and China's Vulnerabilities, will be published on March 7. It weaves together his family history — including an opium addict, an American codebreaker, and a Chinese revolutionary — with business experience to explain why these two powers seem headed for collision.

Now teaching at the University of San Francisco, Ker continues helping others understand the complexities of doing business where the next global crisis may be brewing.

Resident Perspective

GLP Fall cohort

How I-House Berkeley Shapes Culturally Intelligent Resident Leaders

By Chuol Ruei Deng


Leadership today looks different from it did a generation ago. It is no longer only about directing teams or solving problems. It is about understanding cultures, navigating differences with humility, and building relationships that cross borders. At International House at UC Berkeley, the Global Leadership Program (GLP) was created with that reality in mind. It offers residents a space to grow as leaders who can listen with intention, reflect with honesty, and lead with cultural awareness. The program is one of I-House’s signature experiences, and it continues to shape residents long after they leave Berkeley.

Continue Reading >

Global Gathering

Group of I-House alumni in Tokyo

Shaun Carver, together with the executive directors of I‑House Chicago, I‑House Japan, and International Students House London, met with alumni in Tokyo on January 20. The I‑House Berkeley Alumni Ambassador for Japan, Ken Inoue (IH 2016), helped coordinate this fun, global gathering.

If you’d like to organize a meetup in your region, please contact us at  alumni@ihouseberkeley.org.

Share Your Update with Us

Hang Out With Us


Quarterly Alumni Happy Hour, Berkeley
Thursday, February 12, 2026, 5 - 7 p.m. PST

Mark your calendars for the first Alumni Happy Hour of the year at the I-House Berkeley Edmonds’ Café! Connect with fellow I-House alumni and current residents for a fun, laid-back evening of good drinks and great company.

RSVP Now

UC Berkeley SCET x International House 3rd Edition AI Summit
Thursday, February 26, 2026, 5 - 7:30 p.m. PST

Join us for conversations about AI that are already reshaping reality. Each panel features the people building this future: VCs funding it, founders shipping it, and researchers defining it. Last year, 300+ students and professionals showed up to cut through the AI hype. This year, we're making the conversations even better.

RSVP Now


Alumni Happy Hour in Los Angeles
Wednesday, March 18, 6 - 8 p.m. PST

The Culver Hotel | Mr. Culver's Office

Join us in Culver City for an informal social gathering of alumni from International House Berkeley. Hear remarks from I-House Executive Director Shaun Carver and board member Tad Allan. Appetizers and drinks will be offered.

RSVP Now


9th Annual UC Alumni Gala in London
Saturday, March 28, 6:30 PM - 11:45 p.m. GMT

One Whitehall Place, London, England

The University of California Trust and the UC Alumni UK Network warmly invite you to a black‑tie evening with a reception, dinner, and auction, all in support of student scholarships.

Buy Tickets


International House Festival of Cultures
SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, April 25, 2026, 2-5 p.m. PST

Join us at I-House for a celebration of our diverse student community — a chance to share and discover cultures from around the world. This free event showcases the rich traditions of residents from more than 20 countries across six continents, creating a vibrant cultural experience under the dome.

The Festival of Cultures is supported by the Edith Coliver Fund to advance our mission of intercultural respect. Learn more.

Ways to Give

Valentine's Day is the perfect moment to celebrate someone who has shaped your life — and what better way than a gift that reflects the values you share?

A tribute gift to I-House in honor of a loved one is a meaningful way to say "I'm thinking of you" while supporting the I-House Berkeley community. Whether you're honoring a fellow alum, a mentor, a partner, a cherished friend, or a special occasion, your tribute gift helps I-House continue building the cross-cultural connections that make our community so special.

Make A Tribute Gift Today

Stay Connected


Connect with I-House residents (past and present) on our new LinkedIn Group. Whether you're looking for career advice, a mentor in your field, or just want to connect with I-House friends, this is your space.

If you've recently moved, please let us know by replying to this email or updating your contact information in our Share your Update form.

And if you are planning to be back in Berkeley in the coming months, please let us know by emailing us at alumni@ihouseberkeley.org so that we can arrange to meet up with you at I-House!

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Topics

Executive Director Message topic page, I-House Connection topic page