Global Activities Scholars Program Students

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.

Alli was born and raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She graduated from the University of Michigan in 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Communication Studies. Throughout her undergraduate studies, she worked on youth development programs in Morocco and India. Following graduation, Alli served as a Peace Corps Volunteer (Tanzania 2017-2019), where she worked in a rural community on health education projects. Alli is passionate about the intersection of experiential therapy and trauma-informed care in the global context. As a Global Activities Scholar, Alli looks forward to understanding how social work operates in an international setting. After receiving her MSW, Alli plans to continue her career abroad, where she will focus on mental health care for adolescents and women.

Cecilia Galvan grew up in Lansing/East Lansing, Michigan and graduated with her B.A. in Arts and Humanities from the Residential College in the Arts and Humanities with a minor in Peace and Justice Studies at Michigan State University. Before attending the University Of Michigan School Of Social Work, Cecilia participated in an internship on the island of Lesvos, Greece to work with unaccompanied minors in two refugee camps providing various services and helping teach integration classes. Cecilia joined the Global Activities Scholars Program to gain more experience working with international communities in global settings, to work with youth and adolescents in a new context, and to continue pursuing her passion for traveling. Cecilia plans to move to Pittsburgh after she graduates from her MSW program and hopes to work with youth and families in a hospital or community setting.

Chidimma grew up in Ann Arbor, MI and graduated with Bachelor's and Master's degrees from the University of Michigan in Organizational Studies and Liberal Studies, respectively. When she wasn't able to get a job due to the economic downturn, she moved to Las Vegas, NV and worked in various industries including holistic health and wellness, public relations, and finally landed in healthcare. Unbeknownst to her, the time she spent working in primary care and connecting with patients holistically, her love for the study and practice of yoga, her love of her Nigerian roots, in addition to her brief time in Uganda were the gateways to her desire to formally pursue her social work degree.

Upon finishing her professional degree, she is looking forward to serving marginalized folks through her private practice, but especially Black folks since there are not enough Black social workers providing individual therapy. She will also continue infusing yoga, especially trauma-informed/sensitive yoga into this practice as she’s been teaching yoga for over a decade. Chidimma also has a desire to continue working with her consulting firm in an effort to bridge the gap between micro and macro social work practice through social policy and research.

As a Global Activities Program Scholar, Chidimma is looking forward to working towards international/global social work skills,  including true cultural humility, critical analysis, communication (written and verbal), influence, financial and research evaluation, and networking skills. All of which are important to building relationships across networks and the globe.

Devyn is from Long Island, New York and is a recent graduate of the University at Albany, SUNY, where she obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and Psychology. Throughout her undergraduate career, Devyn began to develop a passion for global education reform and providing quality and equitable education globally. Upon graduating from college Devyn became and Education/Social Work mentor for a nonprofit organization in South Africa. Through this experience, she gained a better understanding of the education system and what the needs are of the communities she worked with. Through this program, Devyn hopes to be able to utilize her skills to assist in developing programs and services that meet the needs of the individuals and communities she will be working with.

Justin was raised in Colorado and completed his undergraduate degree at George Washington University where he studied Political Science and Philosophy. Upon graduation, he served as a TEFL Instructor in Peace Corps Rwanda for two years, before extending his service to support HIV prevention and LGBTI equity work at a Rwandan health equity organization. Since Peace Corps service, Justin has continued to fight the HIV epidemic domestically, specifically working to address racial health disparities. At the University of Michigan, Justin is pursuing a dual Master of Business Administration degree with the long-term goal of starting a social enterprise. In his global placement, Justin hopes to continue developing anti-oppressive practices, increasing access to healing justice resources, and combating anti-blackness.