I-House Connection

Our monthly newsletter, I-House Connection, keeps you informed about programs, events, and community updates. 

Shaun Carver's executive newsletter, Global Perspectives, is sent quarterly.

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The I-House Connection: May 2026

May 14, 2026
Shaun R. Carver, I-House Executive Director

Dear I-House Community,

Residents with graduation sashes standing in front of I-HouseEvery fall, I stand in front of our new residents at retreat and tell them something I know to be true: the friendships they make at I-House will last a lifetime. Some of them already sense it. Others won’t know until it’s almost over.

This weekend, they’ll believe me.

Commencement is here, and our...

Global Perspectives: Spring 2026

April 30, 2026
Shaun R. Carver, I-House Executive Director

Dear I-House Community,

As the year gathers pace, the global context surrounding higher education continues to shift in ways that directly shape student experience. Policy changes, visa uncertainty, and public rhetoric are influencing how students assess where they study, how they participate, and whether they feel secure doing so. What once sat in the background of decision-making is now part of it.

At the same time, the need for meaningful cross-cultural connections has not diminished. If anything, it has become more urgent. Institutions are being asked to create...

The I-House Connection: April 2026

April 9, 2026
Shaun R. Carver, I-House Executive Director

Dear I-House Community,

Learning about other cultures is one thing. Actually living side by side with those from different cultures is another. That distinction is at the heart of what we do at I-House. We give residents both.

Residents of I-House on the patio during a Sunday SupperThrough our Global Leadership Program, resident leadership roles, and Projects for...

The I-House Connection: March 2026

March 19, 2026
Shaun R. Carver, I-House Executive Director

Dear I-House Community,

Some of my favorite moments at I-House are the ones where people choose to come together — and this month, you did.

Marc Fisher, Vice Chancellor UC Berkeley; Victor Pineda, Alumnus of the Year; Bob Wong, Mission Service Award; Shaun Carver, I-House CEO; Paige Lyles, Community LeadershipEarlier this...

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...

Global Perspectives: Winter 2026

January 28, 2026
Shaun R. Carver, I-House Executive Director

Dear I-House Community,

With 2026 well underway, higher education in the United States continues to operate in a changing policy landscape that shapes who feels able to travel, study, and participate fully in academic life. Discussions around expanding travel restrictions understandably raise concerns for international students and scholars whose work depends on mobility and access. At the same time, they sharpen the importance of institutions that remain committed to openness, exchange, and connection.

What I’ve learned is that uncertainty does not stay abstract for long. It...

The I-House Connection: January 2026

January 7, 2026
Shaun R. Carver, I-House Executive Director

Dear I-House Community,

I-House side view with evening skyWinter break is a quiet time at I-House because most residents have traveled home for the holidays. But we have more staying with us than usual this year. Some are working on research projects, others are exploring California, and some have found travel more complicated due to changes in immigration policies. For all of them, I-...

International House Strengthens Leadership Team to Enhance Student Experience and Operational Excellence

November 18, 2025
I-House Berkeley Media Relations
Strategic reorganization positions I-House for centennial campaign and next phase of growth

International House Berkeley (I-House Berkeley), the multicultural residential center promoting a more just and peaceful world, today announced key leadership promotions designed to strengthen operational excellence and elevate the student experience. Nayeli Vivanco has been promoted to Chief Student Experience Officer, and Ernie Costello has been promoted to Chief Financial Officer & Chief Operating Officer.

The new organizational structure represents a strategic evolution that...

The I-House Connection: December 2025

December 11, 2025
Shaun R. Carver, I-House Executive Director

Dear I-House Community,

Last week, something happened on the Underhill soccer field that reminded me why I-House exists — and it had nothing to do with the final score.

Our two I-House intramural teams, the I-House All-Stars Football Club and I-House Football Club, faced off to see who would advance to the league finals. Both teams were undefeated this semester, which meant this match was always going to be intense. In the end, the game came down to penalty kicks, with I-House Football Club pulling out the win....

The I-House Connection: November 2025

November 14, 2025
Shaun R. Carver, I-House Executive Director

Dear I-House Community,

Every Wednesday night this semester, something special happens at I-House. Residents gather for DiversiTEA & Coffee Hour, a tradition that dates to the 1970s when resident leaders helped launch evening gatherings to break down cliques and build genuine connections across cultures.

The concept was simple then, and it remains powerful today: bring people together, share food, share cultures, and discover what connects us.

This semester, we’re celebrating 12 different countries and regions. Resident committees plan each event, bringing their...