About

Home / International Programs / About

International Programs is the office that implements and coordinates all UW Tacoma international travel courses and exchange programs. We work with faculty to develop and implement study-abroad courses and provide guidance and assistance to students participating in those programs.

John BanksDr. John E. Banks, Director

John "Buck" Banks is a professor of environmental science in the Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences program at UW Tacoma. He teaches courses in biology, ecology, and entomology, and conducts research in both domestic and international settings. Recent projects include fieldwork in Yucatan (forest succession and insect diversity), Costa Rica (arthropod biodiversity of rainforest and subsistence farms; sustainable coffee production), and Kenya (ecological interactions of birds, arthropods, and elephants; sea turtle conservation). Using a blend of field data and mathematical models, he has published dozens of scientific articles on biological control and predator/prey population dynamics in agroecosystems, ecotoxicology, and biological diversity and conservation in natural and managed systems.

Tracey NorrisTracey Norris, Study Abroad Adviser

Tracey Norris is the study abroad adviser for UW Tacoma International Programs. Tracey was born South African and spent the early years of her childhood playing in the dust of Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and Southwest Africa (now Namibia). She emigrated to the United States in the early '80s and became a naturalized U.S. citizen. Tracey earned a bachelor of arts in English from Texas State University and as part of her college experience, spent a summer studying in Cork, Ireland. Since then she has traveled as often as time and money would allow, visiting Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, England, Australia, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Canada. A staunch advocate for international educational opportunities, Tracey's goal is to send as many students, faculty and staff abroad as possible. When she's not plotting to send others far away, Tracey enjoys spending time in the wilds at home and abroad. One of her favorite pastimes is birding...last bird added to her life list? Ross's gull (Palmer Lake, Okanagon County, WA on 12.21.2011).