Sebastian Vidal

Sebastian was born in Lima, Peru but grew up on Long Island, New York and is a recent graduate of the University at Albany, SUNY, where he completed his Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, and Education. He was a recipient of the 2020 Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence, SUNY’s highest award. During his undergraduate career, Sebastian grew a passion for global education reform focusing on equal and equitable practices, and working with Latinx youth in the US and abroad. Prior to graduation, Sebastian was sponsored as a teaching assistant/counselor to Dominican and Haitian youth for a nonprofit organization in the Dominican Republic. Through this experience, he gained insight on how education and policy work outside of the US and understood how solutions can be implemented from a macro perspective. Growing up as an immigrant, Sebastian hopes to work with domestic and international organizations that focus on advancing education and human rights for other immigrants, refugees, and asylum-seekers. As a Global Activities Scholar, Sebastian looks forward to learning how social work functions in international settings; how to expand advocacy work abroad; and develop intersectional, inclusive, and holistic programs and services that benefit an organization as a whole but more importantly, the people it serves.