Announcing the Fall 2024 Virtual Exchange Academy Graduates

The Stevens Initiative’s flagship facilitator training, the Virtual Exchange Academy, was officially completed by 55 education and exchange leaders and practitioners. The graduates are equipped with the knowledge and tools to create more opportunities for young people to develop cross-cultural connections that empower them to lead a more peaceful and prosperous world.

The fifth cohort of the Academy welcomed participants from 14 countries and 16 U.S. states and Washington, DC. Each contributed their unique perspectives and expertise while engaging in interactive workshops, sharing best practices, and developing innovative strategies to enhance virtual exchange.The collaborative atmosphere fostered creativity and critical thinking, allowing participants to explore the nuances of virtual exchange and connecting rising generations. Activities included a program pitch competition, evaluation of partnerships using real-world examples, and a mock dialogue-based exchange.

The fall graduates join the 2024 class of Virtual Exchange Academy alumni, representing 100 total participants. They are well prepared to bring virtual exchange to young people they serve, whether through joining an existing program or network, or creating a virtual exchange program of their own.

Interested in participating in our next Virtual Exchange Academy? Learn more here and subscribe to our mailing list for updates on the next training.

Please join us in congratulating the fall 2024 Virtual Exchange Academy graduates:

Achraf Jarraya | Tunisia

Program Officer, Forum El Jahedh

Ailén Remelsky | Argentina

Youth Led Action Manager, Girl Up, United Nations Foundation

Alan Steckler | Connecticut, U.S.

President, Creative Connections

Alejandra Arvizu Fernández | Mexico

Director of Educational Policy Monitoring, Mexicanos Primero

Alejandra Brito | Mexico

Head of CONAFE in Oaxaca, National Council for Educational Development

Amal ElRawy | Egypt

Executive Director, AlMahrousa for Development and Participation

Amanda Metzger | Illinois, U.S.

Manager, Movement Engagement, YMCA of the USA

Ana Sofía Henao Pinilla | Colombia

Mobility Leader, Fundación Universitaria Konrad Lorenz

Andrea Grove | California, U.S.

Professor of Political Science and Global Studies; Director of Center for Global Engagement, California State University Channel Islands

Catherine M. Eagan | California, U.S.

English Professor and Global Studies Coordinator, Las Positas College; Academic Specialist, Berkeley International Study Program, University of California Berkeley

Christopher Sewell | Alabama, U.S.

Director, Dr. Jewel Plummer Cobb Honors Program, Talladega College

Daniel Timbal | Philippines

Teacher, San Pedro College Basic Education Department

Emma Wei Chen | United Arab Emirates

Lecturer of Psychology, Khalifa University

Halina Martinez | Texas, U.S.

Manager, Movement Engagement, YMCA of the USA

Hannah Powers | Virginia, U.S.

Instructor of History, Virginia Peninsula Community College

Hany Ibrahim | Egypt

Executive Director, AlMahrousa for Development and Participation

Holly Schneider | Texas, U.S.

Program Officer, University of Texas at Austin

Inass Abdelkhaleq | Morocco

Program Manager, Robots And More

Jennifer S. Kapral | Texas, U.S.

Senior Director of Education & Outreach, Asia Society Texas

Jill Woerner | Indiana, U.S.

Senior Director of Education & Outreach to Schools, AFS-USA

Karim Shawer | Egypt

Head of Programs, Etijah Foundation

Kate Mickelson | Mexico

History Teacher and Exchange Coordinator, Colegio Marymount

Katerina Manoff | Maryland, U.S.

Founder & CEO, ENGin

Katherine Haan | Illinois, U.S.

Director, Chicago State University

Kelsey Slater | North Dakota, U.S.

Assistant Professor, North Dakota State University

Luciana Cabrini Simões Calvo | Brazil

Professor at the State, State University of Maringá; Postdoctoral Researcher, Federal University of Espírito Santo

Marcio Cassandre | Brazil

Director of International Relations, State University of Maringá

Marta Trilles | Washington, U.S.

Language Coordinator & Global Learning Experiences Lead, Bellevue School District

Maryam Abdelsamie | United Arab Emirates

Student Engagement Lead, Pearl Initiative

Matt Kiefer | Illinois, U.S.

Global Program Manager, Head of Education, Lions Clubs International Foundation

Megan Masterson | Washington, DC, U.S.

Manager, Youth Leadership, Girl Up, United Nations Foundation

Melanie Boston | Pennsylvania, U.S.

Assistant Director, Office of Global Programs, Penn State University, Abington Campus

Moe Debbagh Greene | Virginia, U.S.

Director and Assistant Professor, Virginia Common Wealth University

Moulay Rachid Chalabi | Morocco

YSDGs Program Manager, IFTD

Nicole Matia | Illinois, U.S.

Education Program Specialist for Lions Quest, Lions Clubs International Foundation

Noor Zuberi | United Arab Emirates

Senior Programme Associate, Governance in Philanthropy Programme, Pearl Initiative

Orlina Boteva | Maine, U.S.

Director, Office of International Programs, University of Maine

Oumaima Elghazali | Morocco

Assistant Professor, Mohammed V University

Patrick Oduor Owoche | Kenya

Lecturer, Department of IT and Coordinator, Linkages and International Affairs, Kibabii University

Paula Hentz | Florida, U.S.

Senior International Officer & Director of Global Initiatives, Stetson University

Pixie Cigar | Spain

Director, Global Alumni Connectivity, Teach For All

Rackie S. Clarke | Liberia

Executive Director & Educator, Liberia Students Exchange and Study Program

Saad Abdallah Aljzwe | United Arab Emirates

Associate Professor, American University of Ras Al Khaimah

Samila Sosic | Florida, U.S.

Executive Director of International Education, Miami Dade College

Sara Yaratzet Martínez Montalbán | Mexico

Head of the Department of Education in Science, Technology and Innovation, Secretary of Public Education of the State of Oaxaca

Sarah M. T. Munro | North Carolina, U.S.

Director, Office of Global & Off-Campus Initiatives, Guilford College

Simona Zappas | Washington, U.S.

Communications Officer, Youth and Young Adult Programs, Gates Foundation

Sky Riley | Washington, DC, U.S.

Senior Manager, Global Youth Development, Special Olympics International

Stephanie Alvarado | Florida, U.S.

Director, Global Programs, Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship

Tanya Pinkerton | Arizona, U.S.

Clinical Associate Professor, Arizona State University

Vanessa Jaroski | Illinois, U.S.

Education Program Specialist, Lions Clubs International Foundation

Wenonah Echelard | California, U.S.

Director, Program Learning & Impact, Cultural Vistas

Yari Vera | Illinois, U.S.