International Programs is proud to recognize Fu-Ching Hsiao and Shu-Mei Chang of Changhua County, Taiwan, as the 2025 International Parents of the Year. Known for their quiet strength, honesty, and tireless work ethic, they have devoted their lives to creating opportunities for their children.
“My parents may have had little compared to others,” said their daughter, I-Chun Hsiao, a PhD candidate in multilingual education who will graduate in May 2026, “but they gave my brother and me all they had. Their sacrifices, values, and love have shaped me into who I am today.”
For more than two decades, Hsiao’s parents ran a small automotive cold-painting factory in Changhua City.
“Their hands were often cracked and stained with paint that would never wash away,” said Hsiao. “Yet they never allowed hardship to overshadow their dignity.”
“If there is one lesson others could learn from my parents, it is that you do not need to have everything to give everything.”
When health concerns led them to close the factory, the parents began farming rice and vegetables in their hometown, earning recognition as model farmers in 2021 and 2024.
What sets her parents apart is not only their hard work but also their character.
“They are honest, diligent, generous, and deeply committed to community life,” said Hsiao.
The parents are active in temple and neighborhood events, often providing transportation or supplies, and consistently assist relatives and neighbors in times of need.
“They never seek recognition or talk about their achievements,” said Hsiao. “Watching them work was itself an education, teaching us to stay steady in the face of obstacles.”
Despite completing only junior high school, her parents devoted themselves to ensuring their children could pursue education beyond their own reach.
“Every choice they made was guided by education,” said Hsiao.
They enrolled Hsiao and her brother in a bilingual kindergarten so they could learn Taiwanese Mandarin and English, and ensured household registration allowed access to a better elementary school.
“Though their talents, mother tongues, and work were undervalued,” said Hsiao, “They transformed sacrifice into strength, believing their children could aim higher and achieve more.”
When she decided to pursue a PhD in the United States, the news brought both pride and anxiety. Neither parent had traveled abroad, and the thought of sending their daughter across the world was daunting.
“They were afraid of the unknown,” said Hsiao, “but rather than letting fear limit me, they urged me to pursue opportunities they never had. Before I left, they told me that if I ever felt tired or wanted to give up on my PhD, I could always come home, and they would be waiting for me.”
Her parents have built a life grounded in humility, hope, and dedication. Through their perseverance and commitment to education, they’ve helped open doors for their children and generations to come.
“If there is one lesson others could learn from my parents,” said Hsiao, “it is that you do not need to have everything to give everything.”
Honorable Mentions for the 2025 International Parents of the Year
Prithvi Raj Daliboyina’s Parent: Dr. Hema Radhika Mugada
Dr. Hema Radhika Mugada, a physician, educator, and mother, has built her life around service and integrity. An associate professor and practicing dermatologist, she has spent more than 25 years in public service, often working in remote tribal regions of India to provide essential healthcare where none existed.
“At 17, my mother was the first in our family to enter medical school,” said Prithvi Raj Daliboyina, a master’s student in public health who will graduate in May 2026. “She never let barriers define her.”
While raising two children and working full-time, Dr. Mugada earned multiple advanced degrees, received recognition as Best Teacher in Anatomy, and was honored with the District Collector’s Award for her service during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through the Navaratnam Kesavarao Charitable Trust, she continues to provide free and low-cost dermatology care to underserved communities.
“To me, she is not just my mother,” said Daliboyina. “She is proof that an ordinary person can live an extraordinary life simply by refusing to compromise her values.”
Sabena Abdul Raheem’s Parents: Abdul Raheem Adam and Fati Alhaji
“My parents saved me from myself, twice,” said Sabena Abdul Raheem, a PhD candidate in communications. “They saw what I could become before I did, and their faith in education changed the course of my life.”
Abdul Raheem Adam and Fati Alhaji of Accra, Ghana, have supported their daughter’s education at every stage. Though Adam had only a basic education, he became a respected community mentor, encouraging young people to stay in school and serve others. Alhaji, who had little formal Arabic education, devoted her life to helping children access the opportunities she missed, earning the nickname Malama, or “teacher,” in local women’s groups.
When Abdul Raheem considered marriage before finishing her studies, her parents urged her to stay focused. Their guidance helped her become the first of five siblings to earn a university degree and later secure a scholarship for graduate study in the United States. Now a mother and PhD student, Abdul Raheem continues to embody her parents’ commitment to education.
Soheil Hosseini’s Parents: Seyed Mostafa Hosseini and Molouk Shariat-Panahi
In Tehran, Iran, Seyed Mostafa Hosseini and Molouk Shariat-Panahi built their family around education, curiosity, and creativity. Hosseini, an office professional in budgeting and planning, turned their home into a “workshop of imagination,” nurturing his children’s love of learning through math problems, science experiments, and evening projects that sparked discovery. His discipline and foresight transformed youthful energy into lifelong purpose.
Shariat-Panahi, a university lecturer and author in women’s health and midwifery, complemented that foundation with warmth and intellect, dedicating her career to patients, students, and the advancement of women’s education. Together, they modeled a life where order met compassion and knowledge served community.
“Together, my parents embody resilience, intellect, and compassion,” said Soheil Hosseini, a PhD candidate in biomedical engineering. “They built a life from humble beginnings to one rich with meaning and purpose."
The values Hosseini's parents instilled continue to guide his approach to research, mentorship, and service at the University of Iowa, reflecting the legacy they built through a lifetime of dedication to learning and community.
International Programs (IP) at the University of Iowa (UI) is committed to enriching the global experience of UI students, faculty, staff, and the general public by leading efforts to promote internationally oriented teaching, research, creative work, and community engagement. IP provides support for international students and scholars, administers scholarships and assistance for students who study, intern, or do research abroad, and provides funding opportunities and grant-writing assistance for faculty engaged in international research. IP shares their stories through various media, and by hosting multiple public engagement activities each year.