Aliki Dragona: Fostering Global Learning Through Writing and Education

Aliki Dragona is helping shape global learning at UC Davis through her teaching, study abroad leadership and faculty development work. Her work is closely aligned with the UC Davis Global Education for All Initiative. She serves as the Faculty Director of Academic Programs at Global Affairs, a Senior Continuing Lecturer for the UC Davis Writing Center, the Program Leader of the UC Davis Study Abroad Writers in Greece program and a Faculty Advisor for the Global Studies minor. She also co-leads faculty workshops through the Teaching for Global Learning Program, facilitating the implementation of global perspectives into curricula across UC Davis. 

Dragona’s globally focused work at UC Davis has roots that trace back to her childhood. She was born in Paris, France, but grew up in Greece from the age of two. She attended an American high school and planned to study Greek literature and linguistics. Dragona grew up with parents who worked in global spheres and fostered her global interests. Her mother worked for the Fulbright office and the Canadian Embassy in Athens and was multilingual, speaking English, French and Greek. Her father, a microbiologist-veterinarian who earned advanced degrees in Romania and France, worked for the Ministry of Agriculture, frequently traveled and was also multilingual. Although both of her sets of grandparents were Greek, they came from communities outside of Greece. 

“The global was there, always,” shared Dragona.

Dragona came to the United States to pursue a dissertation in general literature, but her passion shifted as she got involved in teaching writing. She earned a two-year translation degree, became certified as an interpreter and literary translator and began teaching writing at UC Davis in 1990. Dragona now teaches two courses for the Writing Center throughout the year, contributes to three other courses and teaches through her program in Greece every summer. Over the years, her work at UC Davis has evolved from primarily teaching writing to contributing to Global Affairs’ initiatives. When asked about her favorite classes to teach, she highlighted Writing in Health Professions as a course she has infused with global learning and said about her most recent assignment, “Now I’m teaching Writing in the Sciences again, and that's a lot of fun because I have about 20 different majors represented in the class, which makes it both challenging and rewarding.” Additionally, she said, “I love teaching my Writers in Greece class. It’s a writing class, but it’s especially fulfilling because students grow so much throughout the experience.”

Writers in Greece: Connecting Students to History and Culture

To understand who Dragona is and where her heart lies, all you have to do is listen to her talk about the Writers in Greece UC Davis Study Abroad program. She has been directing this program since 2002, and it has been one of the greatest joys of her professional life. Every year, Dragona plans field trips and seminars that explore the history and cultural richness of Athens and locations outside Athens. One experience she plans is the History Memory Walk, led by a leading historian in Greece. This experience traces the sites and stories of World War II and the Greek Civil War, deepening students’ understanding of Greece. 

“It really shows students that we are connected, all of us humans, in very profound ways. We just don't always realize it. So when you know a place's history and develop an appreciation for it, it becomes much easier to connect with and understand others. We have more that unites us than divides us, and I think that is a very important message for students and young people, and it is really nice to share that,” Dragona explained.

She has lived in the United States for decades, but every time she returns to Greece with a new cohort of students, she says she rediscovers the city alongside her class. Growing up in Athens, yet having been in the U.S. for so long, gives her a longing for the country. If Dragona could instantly travel anywhere in the world, she says she would choose Greece. She notes that Athens is memorable in many ways, including its vibrant arts and music scene. 

“If you haven’t really thought about studying abroad or doing something like that, it is an incredible experience,” shared Dragona. “And even if you can’t study abroad, there are still many ways to have a global experience. Sometimes that means talking to a neighbor from another country or state; sometimes it means helping someone in your community and, in the process, finding out more about them. I encourage people to do that.”

 This advice is, in many ways, the message Dragona has carried her whole life: the world is more connected than it appears, and understanding each other takes curiosity, effort and stepping into unfamiliar experiences.

Advancing Global Learning Opportunities

While her study abroad program connects students directly with global experiences, Dragona also works to expand global learning across the UC Davis curriculum. Since 2018, Dragona has co-led the Teaching for Global Learning Program, currently alongside Esther Luna DeLozier, Assistant Director of Partnerships and Faculty Engagement for Global Affairs. The program supports the campus-wide Global Education for All Initiative, which is designed to ensure that every UC Davis student can develop skills for an interconnected and globalized world—no matter their financial circumstances, immigration status or family obligations. 

“We help faculty think about global learning in their courses. When they integrate global learning in their teaching, they touch every student, and that is important,” Dragona said. 

Since the start of the program, more than seventy alumni have infused their courses with global content, reaching thousands of students.

When asked about the most rewarding part of her job, Dragona highlighted the well-rounded nature of her responsibilities. 

“I love to teach. My favorite part about it is having new students every quarter, which gives me new ideas to work with and new things to learn,” she said. 

Seeing different students enter the study abroad programs and watching firsthand how they change throughout the process is a deeply fulfilling experience for her. Watching faculty enrich their work on campus with global learning in so many creative ways is another deeply satisfying endeavor. Additionally, she added, “I love working with my colleagues in the Global Learning Hub and with faculty across campus.” The intersection of her work with both faculty and students has taught her how faculty can better support students. When asked about her favorite memories while working for Global Affairs, Dragona shared, “I think one of my favorite memories so far was helping a student find the right study abroad program. After spending a long time looking for the best fit, she came back having a wonderful experience, and that made all the effort worthwhile. So that kind of thing makes me really happy.”

Beyond the Classroom

Beyond Dragona’s commitment to global learning at UC Davis, she enjoys spending her free time playing with her two cats and cooking. To relax and unwind, she enjoys reading and listening to music.