For the past two summers, Marquette University has hosted Wisconsin’s only STARTALK program, led by Dr. Jen-Li Ko and Dr. Eugenia Afinoguenova of the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures. Under their leadership, the program has expanded to include multiple Milwaukee-area Chinese educators alongside game design instructors.
STARTALK is a federal grant program managed and funded by the National Security Agency. The program strives to offer students from kindergarten through college the opportunity to study critical languages to enhance workforce development in the federal government to meet national security needs.
Past STARTALK summer programs at Marquette have focused on the intersection of artificial intelligence, computer science and Chinese culture and language. This year, Dr. Krista-Lee M. Malone, an assistant teaching professor of game design at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, will lead sessions on creating educational video games. Malone has previously designed games incorporating cultural narratives, synthesizing folklore and Chinese language into accessible educational experiences.
The 2025 STARTALK summer program features a unique partnership with the Marquette University 3D Visualization Lab. Christopher Larkee, a visual technology specialist in the Opus College of Engineering, will teach participants how to create 3D digital models for their game design. Larkee will also host a specialized workshop focused on understanding 3D models and graphics representing China.
The camp also draws support from the broader Milwaukee and Marquette community. Several instructors from the Milwaukee Modern Chinese School are contributing their expertise to meet the needs of any level of Chinese language learner participating in the camp, regardless of their previous knowledge of the Chinese language.
In addition to their educational development, the program includes a visit to the Haggerty Museum of Art, where participants reflect, discuss and appreciate Chinese culture and art. Participants also get to prepare authentic Chinese meals at the Alumni Memorial Union’s Innovation Kitchen, with some fan favorites being dumplings and spring rolls.
The educational and cultural experience does not end with the program’s conclusion; virtual learning opportunities follow the summer camp into the fall and spring semesters. This allows students to continue to grow their knowledge of Chinese language, culture and game design, while also staying connected with peers and educators from the camp itself.
“We’re not really just in the classroom to learn things, but we are in action with the community. Students are not just learning language, but they’re learning how to apply language in the real world,” says Ko, the program’s co-director. She expresses gratitude to everyone involved with the STARTALK community for coming together to offer this unique experience, especially Dr. Heidi Bostic, dean of the Klinger College of Arts and Sciences; Katherine Durben, executive director of the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs; and Dr. Sarah Gendron, chair of the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures.
Click here to apply for the STARTALK summer program or learn more information, or contact Dr. Jen-Li Ko.
