Building Bridges Through Language
June 10, 2025
FM employees participate in Workplace English Program
Twenty-three Facilities Management employees participated in the VISAS Workplace English Program this spring.
VISAS (Volunteers with International Students, Staff and Scholars) is a free program serving international members of the UVA community for the past 25 years as part of the Center for American English Language and Culture.
As participants in VISAS Workplace English Program this semester, FM employees were paired with UVA students to improve their English, literacy and digital literacy skills, as well as participate in an overall cultural exchange.
To display the culmination of a semester of learning, VISAS learners participated in presentations to show off their new language skills. Presenting over three separate dates in April, FM employees shared stories of their backgrounds and how they arrived at UVA, parts of their cultures and even their singing skills.
In addition to the presentations, VISAS celebrated its 25th anniversary, as well as the fifth anniversary of MOVE (Multilingual Outreach Volunteer Effort), a program composed of students, staff and faculty who volunteer to help translate and interpret for UVA and Charlottesville community organizations, with a garden party on April 30.
Congratulations to the following FM employees for completing a semester of the Workplace English Program: Baraka Nkere, Suyapa Burgos, Magna Oliva, Jullienne Muchembe, Pabitra Budhathoki, Christi Torres, Sebijeri Munyabirembo, Ruth Mejia de Ortega, Aurea Nazareno, Belkys Cobaria, Huseyin Yetim, Ayse Yetim, Alex Gavrylenko, Mohammad Hashemi, Judith Tangoulou, Deysi Perez, Mariana Neves de Souza, Thinley Lama, Padam Tamang, Nilba Mejia, Tsering Yangzom, Tenzin Youdoun and Boaker Vay.
To request any language-related services such as interpretation for training, a meeting or interview and translation of documents or information about language classes, fill out the FM Language Services Request Form or contact Emily Douglas at em4hg@virginia.edu for more information.
Afia Paracha
Communications assistant student worker
UVA Facilities Management
hcx2td@virginia.edu