Just like people, every cup of coffee has its own story. It travels from producers to consumers worldwide to be enjoyed in various ways depending on culture, region, and brewing techniques.
October 1 marks International Coffee Day (ICD), when people come together to celebrate the significance of coffee across communities. At GW Engineering, SEAS Together hosted Brewensday on ICD 2025 to showcase the rich variety of cultures within our community through coffee drinks from all corners of the globe.
Sparked by computer science master’s student Sameen Ahmad’s love for coffee and SEAS Together’s mission, Brewensday was first held last year and received a positive response. This year, Ahmad, now a Dean’s Fellow for Inclusive Excellence and Student Experience, partnered with SEAS Together’s Student Programming and Advisory board to host the event on ICD again this year.
“Our goal was to create a welcoming space where students, faculty, and staff could pause from their busy schedules and engage with one another through a shared appreciation of coffee, tea, and culture,” said Ahmad.
Over 240 members of the GW Engineering community—twice as many as in 2024—stopped by for an afternoon pick-me-up and to engage with several GW student organizations. SEAS Together was joined by the Pakistani Student Association, Indian Student Association, Hellenic Student Association, Organization of Latin American Students, and the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, each of whom shared something about their culture through drinks.
Brewensday was also held in partnership with the Office of Inclusive Excellence, Office of Undergraduate Studies and Student Success, and Office of Graduate Admissions and Student Services. The event’s success was fueled by this strong collaborative effort and demonstrates the GW Engineering community's shared dedication to fostering a truly inclusive environment.
“The success of Brewensday, with over 240 members participating, is a powerful sign that our community is hungry for meaningful connection. These moments of shared experience are essential to building a welcoming and vibrant GW Engineering culture where every person feels seen, valued, and empowered to contribute to our collective success,” said Ava Williams, GW Engineering’s Director of Inclusive Excellence.
Ahmad echoed Williams’ sentiments.
“Brewensday has become one of our favorite events, and it truly reflects SEAS Together’s broader mission of promoting inclusive excellence and belonging by creating shared experiences that bring the GW Engineering community together – one cup at a time.”