GET ENGAGED 2024
STUDENT ACTION AND YOUTH LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
ABOUT THE GET ENGAGED 2024 CONFERENCE
The 11th annual “Get Engaged: Student Action and Youth Leadership” conference brings together 90 students and staff members from across the Open Society University Network (OSUN) and the Bard College network of partner institutions and organizations.
Al-Quds Bard College of Arts and Sciences (AQB) (Palestine)
American University in Bulgaria (AUBG) (Bulgaria)
American University of Afghanistan (Afghanistan)
American University of Beirut (AUB) (Lebanon)
American University of Central Asia (AUCA) (Kyrgyzstan)
Ashesi University (Ashesi) (Ghana)
Bard College Annandale (Bard Annandale) (USA)
Bard College Berlin (BCB) (Germany)
Brac University (BRACU) (Bangladesh)
Brothers@ (USA)
Central European University (CEU) (Austria)
European Humanities University (EHU) (Lithuania)
Haitian Education and Leadership Program (HELP) (Haiti)
Hertie School (Hertie) (Germany)
Hubs for Connected Learning Initiatives (HUBS) (Kenya)
National Sun Yat-sen University (NSYSU) (Taiwan)
New College of Florida (New College) (USA)
Parami University (Parami) (Myanmar)
Tuskegee University (Tuskegee) (USA)
Talloires Network of Engaged Universities (TN) (USA)
Universidad de los Andes (UniAndes) (Colombia)
University of the West Indies (UWI) (Jamaica and Trinidad)
University of the Witwatersrand (WITS) (South Africa)
The Get Engaged conference is organized by the OSUN Civic Engagement Initiative in partnership with the Bard College Berlin Civic Engagement Office, Bard College Center for Civic Engagement, the Hertie School, and coordinators from across OSUN.
The conference focuses on building a global network of student leaders who are equipped to act in and tangibly impact their communities. Get Engaged exposes students to a wide range of skills, ideas, and experiences to help them lead community-based projects, hone leadership styles, and network with international partners. The conference provides an inspirational and practical space that encourages young people to grow in their roles as agents for change.
ABOUT THE OPEN SOCIETY UNIVERSITY NETWORK
The Open Society University Network (OSUN) is a global community that integrates teaching, research, and cocurricular activities; promotes civic engagement on behalf of open societies; and creates pathways for learners from underserved and marginalized communities to enter and succeed in higher education.
ABOUT THE OSUN CIVIC ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVE
The OSUN Civic Engagement Initiative (CEI) is an international community of higher education institutions that strive to center civic and community engagement boldly within universities while creating pathways for institutions and communities to collaborate in responding to urgent shared concerns.
THANK YOU
With gratitude to the BCB Civic Engagement Office and the staff and administration of BCB and the Hertie School for hosting the Get Engaged conference.
The 2024 Get Engaged conference is made possible through the generous financial support of the Open Society Foundation.
EDITORIAL TEAM
Copywriter: Chaya Huber, Bard Annandale
Copy Editor: Cynthia Werthamer, Bard Annandale
Graphic Design and Artist: Valeriia Razheva, Bard Annandale ’26
JUNE 24 - JULY 1, 2024
8:00–18:00
18:00–18:45 18:00–20:00
MONDAY, JUNE 24: ARRIVAL
Location: Bard College Berlin (BCB)
Henry Koerner Hall Waldstraße 68, 13156 Berlin, Germany
KW Residence Halls Waldstraße 15, 13156 Berlin, Germany
Arrival and Check-In (Location: BCB Residential Halls)
Dinner (Waldstraße 15)
Conference Opening for Students
8:00–9:00 9:00 10:00–10:30
TUESDAY, JUNE 25: DAY 1
Location: bUm Berlin
Paul-Lincke-Ufer 21, 10999 Berlin, Germany
Breakfast (Location: BCB Residential Halls)
Departure to bUm Berlin
Arrival and Morning Coffee (Location: Garden Terrace) GET ENGAGED
10:30–11:30
11:30–12:30
12:30–13:00
13:00–13:30
13:30–16:00
Opening Ceremony: Grounding Our Work: Why a Network (Auditorium)
Deepening Your Practice and Visioning Your Civic Action Plan
Lunch
Launch Get Engaged Ideas Incubator (Location: Auditorium)
Ideas Incubator Working Groups (Location for each team):
Team 1: Garden Terrace
Team 2: Garden Terrace
Team 3: Wintergarten
Team 4: Wintergarten
Team 5: Seminar Room
Team 6: Large Meeting Room
Team 7: bUmBox
13:30–16:00
16:00–16:45 16:45–17:15 17:15 19:30
Coordinator Meeting (Location: Auditorium)
Ideas Incubator Team Check-ins (Auditorium)
Reconvene for Closing Reflection
Optional visit to nearby multicultural markets
Dinner on your own
Back at dorm to work in Ideas Incubator groups
9:00–10:00
9:00–10:30
10:30–12:30
12:30–13:30 13:30
14:30–16:30 16:30–17:00
17:00–18:00 20:00
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26: DAY 2
Location: bUm Berlin
Paul-Lincke-Ufer 21, 10999 Berlin, Germany
Breakfast (Location: BCB Residential Halls)
Opening Reflection (BCB Waldstraße 15)
Get Engaged Ideas Incubator (continued)
Working lunch
Departure to bUm Berlin
Ideas Incubator Pitches (Location: Auditorium)
Closing Reflection
Guided free time
Dinner on your own
Optional evening excursions with student ambassadors
7:30–8:30 8:30 9:30–10:00 10:00–10:45 10:45–11:00 11:00–12:00
THURSDAY, JUNE 27: DAY 3
Location: Hertie School
Friedrichstraße 180, 10117 Berlin, Germany
Breakfast (Location: BCB Residential Halls)
Departure to Hertie
Arrival and Morning Coffee (Location: Forum)
Welcome by Cornelia Woll, president of the Hertie School
Opening Reflection
Concurrent Workshops (choose one):
Leadership and Self Reflection
Track 1: Learning to Lead
Ethical Leadership (1.61)
Students will identify the values that drive their leadership and decision- making, discerning between intent and impact, to work toward lasting outcomes.
María José Caicedo, UniAndes
Sarah deVeer, Bard Annandale
Doing through Listening (Auditorium)
Students will explore the art of listening, asking questions and deep curiosity as they work toward meaningful outcomes.
Paul Marienthal, Bard Annandale
Living Your Values (2.34)
Using the Caribbean as a case study of cultural fusion, students will explore how to embody their values when taking action.
Celia Davidson Francis, UWI
Track 2: Leadership Level Up
Ethical Leadership (2.30)
Using regional examples, students will reflect on their personal values to emphasize accountability, integrity, and transparency when taking action. Kgomotso Moshugi, Wits
Conflict Resolution (2.32)
Students will examine their relationship with conflict, learn about the essential conditions of mediation, and practice conflict mediation techniques. Christopher Wedeman, AQB
Lessons Learned (3.32)
In discussion with former student leaders, students will discuss insights learned from others’ experiences to build a sustainable future for their projects.
12:00–13:00
13:00–14:00
Concurrent Workshops (choose one):
Project Implementation and Deepening Your Work
Track 1: Learning to Lead
Funding (Auditorium)
Students will learn core components of developing a proposal, building rapport with donors, and ensuring authenticity in projects and partnerships.
Bonnie Goad, Bard Annandale
Building Partnerships (2.30)
Students will explore the role of relationships in successful project implementation and strategies to foster trust with their communities.
Flora Laszlo, CEU
Finding Volunteers (2.34)
Students will learn recruitment and volunteer coordination techniques, while taking into account ethical participation, to connect with people and build their team.
Blanka Szilasi, CEU
14:00–14:30
14:30–15:30
Break
Track 2: Leadership Level Up
Funding (1.61)
Using Brothers@ as an example, Students will refine their project proposals by harnessing expertise drawn from their own experiences.
Dariel Vasquez, Brothers@
Deepening Partnerships (2.32)
Students will reflect on their current partnerships and explore ways to grow or strengthen them toward long-term sustainability.
Erin Cannan, Bard Annandale
Unleashing Team Synergy (3.32)
Students will analyze the beauty and challenges of collaboration, learn to embrace their role, and find emerging project leaders in their team.
Faiza Lynar, BCB
Sabina Wein, AUBG
Concurrent Workshops (choose one):
Storytelling for Project Growth
Storytelling 101 (Location: Auditorium)
Students will explore the methodology of personal storytelling with the aim of invigorating their public speeches and engaging stakeholders.
Paul Marienthal, Bard Annandale
Meaghan Blazer, HELP
Interviews and Oral History (3.32)
Students will learn the role of interviewee and the importance of investigating the oral histories of the communities that their projects operate in.
Lisa Bratton, Tuskegee
Storytelling 2.0 (1.61)
Students will examine how to tell their story as a way of achieving longterm outcomes for partnership, financial sustainability, and impact.
Bonnie Goad, Bard Annandale
Dariel Vaszquez, Brothers@
15:30–15:45 15:45–17:00
17:00–18:00
18:00–21:00
Break
Goran Buldioski, keynote speaker (Location: Forum)
Break
Dinner and Cultural Night with Cultural Dress (Location: KulturMarktHalle, Hanns-Eisler-Straße 93, 10409 Berlin)
8:00–9:00
9:00
10:00–10:30
10:30–11:00
FRIDAY, JUNE 28: DAY 4
Location: Hertie School
Friedrichstraße 180, 10117 Berlin, Germany
Breakfast (Location: BCB Residential Halls)
Departure to Hertie
Arrival and Morning Coffee (Location: Forum)
Reworking Your Project: Reflections on Lessons Learned
Creating civic action plans for next steps
11:00–12:30
Student Presentations
Education and Gender Equity (Location: 3.32)
Amplitude, Nafira Ahmad (BRACU)
Art Kyzy, Darya Gusmanova (AUCA)
AQB Ambassadors Group, Mustafa Hassash (AQB)
Place of Heritage in Interdisciplinary, Alina Kalachova (EHU)
Nos llegó el periodo (Our Period Arrived), Lina X Ramos (UniAndes)
English Tutoring Project, Jazmin Velenczei (CEU)
Fekri Raghoon (Intellectual Reconstruction), Sabawoon Durrani (AUAF)
Education and Mental Health (2.34)
Color Your Social Mind, Tsai-Ju Chung (NSYSU)
Debate Mentorship Program, Aleksandar Ivanov (AUBG)
Transcending the Walls: Empowering Minds for Resilience, Haneen Jarrad (AUB)
Aucharity, Aizhan Kaparova (AUCA)
EduPower Youth Foundation, Priscile Nkenmeza (Ashesi)
Brothers@ Howard University, Hanson Rodriguez
Afghans for Afghans Foundation, Ibaad Ullah Durrani (AUAF)
Inclusion and Community Engagement (2.32)
Brothers@ Vassar College, Devyn Benson
World Refugee Day in Blagoevgrad, Iren Dimitrova (AUBG)
Election@Bard, Sierra Ford (Bard Annandale)
One Click Away, Victoria Nikolova (AUBG)
Thrift 2 Fight Store: From Closet to Social Justice, Mark Sharag (EHU)
Entrepreneurship in Poland for Belarusians, Palina Shynkevich (EHU)
AQB Podcast, Martinios Abdo (AQB)
Youth Engagement and Climate (Auditorium)
Voice for Tomorrow, Fatma Abudabos (AUB)
Brothers@ American Musical and Dramatic Academy, Fitzmore Codogan
KubikaNuce, Leeroy T. Magora (Ashesi)
United Network, Nurbolot Piridinov (AUCA)
Coaching for Social Inclusion, Vickania Turenne (HELP)
EcoFlow Revive, Mushifiqur Rahaman (BRACU)
Green Society Initiative, Ala’a Abhari (AQB)
Lunch 12:30–13:30
13:30–15:30
Student Presentations
Education and Gender Equity (Location: 3.32)
Vitalizing Student Research Initiative, Phyo Thiha Aung (Parami)
Student a Day, Nompumelelo Khoeli (Wits)
Tales from Trailblazers, Tierney Macon (Tuskegee)
Florida Women in Politics Initiative, Olivia Mikkelsen (New College)
Afghan Female Education, Faisal Popalzai (AUAF)
SHE RISES, Nyariel Udier Bol (HELP)
Education and Mental Health (2.34)
myScholarsHUB, Maxwell Antwi (Ashesi)
Project Pother School, Umme Kulsum Aunanna (BRACU)
EvolveMinds: Mental Health Support Club, Pone Nyet Aung (Parami)
CommunityConnect, Tyler Figueroa (Bard Annandale)
Emprende Berlin, Vishal Parkash (BCB)
Red Hook ESL, Reece Sherf (Bard Annandale)
Kaaj Education, Abdullah Nazari (AUCA)
Inclusion and Community Engagement (2.32)
Party at the Polls: Voter Registration Initiative, Jaycob Beasley (Tuskegee)
The Refugee Uplift Network, Christian Boabab (HUBS)
Jèn Fanm Angaje pou Ayiti (Young Women Engaged for Haiti), Nathalissa Charles (HELP)
Mujeres Artesanas (Artisan Women), Sophia Santamaria
Garcia (UniAndes)
Brothers@ Morehouse College, Elijah Grace
Magnificent Smiles Foundation, Nancy Mba (Ashesi)
15:30–16:00
16:00–17:00
17:00–18:30
Youth Engagement and Climate (Auditorium)
Trees for Tomorrow, Ruth Dimgba (UWIT)
Brothers@ Howard University, Amir McFarlane
Health Journal Club, Theint Thada Phyu (Parami)
Fast and Feast, Nhlakanipho Sikhosana (Wits)
Big Sistas, Inc., Indya Whitaker (Tuskegee)
Community Upright Project, Robert Claudio (HUBS)
Rescue Our Mother Nature Planet, Gilbert Ntawuyankira (HUBS)
Reconvene for Closing Reflection (Location: Forum)
Break and Poster Prep
Poster Session (Location: Forum)
Dinner on your own
9:00–10:00 10:00 11:00–13:00 13:00 14:30
SATURDAY, JUNE 29: DAY 5
Location: Walking Tours of Berlin
Breakfast on your own
Departure to Walking Tours
Walking Tours: Civic Engagement in the Berlin Context
Lunch and reflection in walking groups in nearby café
Free afternoon in Berlin
Dinner on your own
SUNDAY, JUNE 30: DAY 6
Location: Hertie School
Friedrichstraße 180, 10117 Berlin, Germany
9:00–10:00 10:00 11:00–11:30 11:30–12:00 12:00–13:45 13:45 12:00
Breakfast on your own
Departure to Hertie
Opening Reflection: Where Do We Go From Here? (Location: Forum)
Light Refreshments
Certificate Ceremony
Lunch
Dinner on your own
MONDAY, JULY 1: DEPARTURE
Check out of Residence Center
STUDENT PROJECTS
AL-QUDS BARD COLLEGE
Martinios Abdo ’26
AQB Podcast interviews thought leaders and everyday heroes in Palestine about a variety of compelling topics. Episodes are publicly available as recorded Zoom videos with the aim of conducting in-person interviews once it is safe and logistically possible.
Ala’a Abhari ’26
Green Society Initiative makes climate education available and “top of mind” for secondary-level students and university students in Palestine through workshops, health campaigns, field visits, and volunteer activities.
Mustafa Hassash ’26
AQB Ambassadors Group is made up of students and staff who use remote classrooms and host campus visits for members of Palestinian communities to increase admission rates and foster community partnerships with the university.
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY IN BULGARIA
Iren Dimitrova ’25
World Refugee Day in Blagoevgrad organizes an annual community celebration day, in partnership with the Dean of Students’ Office and multiple community partners, to promote social inclusion through performance arts, exhibitions, workshops, and outdoor sports activities.
Aleksandar Ivanov ’26
Debate Mentorship Program hosts Blagoevgrad secondary students on campus to teach the art of public speaking through lectures, feedback sessions, and debate simulations. We promote the educational and professional advantages of debate and focus on students who lack access to this kind of training.
Victoria Nikolova ’25
One Click Away is an online platform for free psychological consultations for young people in the Western Balkans who require mental, sexual, and reproductive health support.
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF AFGHANISTAN
Ibaad Ullah Durrani ’26
The Afghans for Afghans Foundation empowers girls in Afghanistan through online classes in English language, math, basic IT, and digital literacy, and fosters personal and academic growth amidst the challenging post-Taliban rule.
Sabawoon Durrani ’27
Fekri Raghoon (Intellectual Reconstruction) challenges harmful social norms through seminars, book publications, workshops, art exhibitions, and counseling sessions for students, professionals, and volunteers in Kabul and Jalalabad, Afghanistan.
Faisal Popalzai ’25
Afghan Female Education improves infrastructure in education, teacher training, and availability of essential educational resources, and combats social norms in order to support learning for girls in Afghanistan.
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF BEIRUT
Fatma Abudabos ’26
Voice for Tomorrow is a secure, online platform to fight the ongoing suppression of speech through a safe space where Libyan youth can freely express themselves, share perspectives, and advocate for change without fear of being silenced.
Haneen Jarrad ’27
Transcending the Walls: Empowering Minds for Resilience is an art therapy program for children in Tulkarem, Palestine, to mitigate daily stress and trauma and foster emotional healing and resilience during the ongoing occupation and resulting educational disruptions.
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ASIA
Darya Gusmanova ’25
Art Kyzy is a documentary project that creates inspirational short films showcasing female artists in Central Asia to inspire the younger generation of women to pursue art as a career and challenge gender stereotypes.
Aizhan Kaparova ’27
Aucharity works with 80 orphaned children in Tokmok, Kant, and Bishkek (northern regions of Kyrgyzstan) to fill gaps in their education with skill-based training in subjects such as English language and computer literacy. We also fundraise to help meet basic needs like heat and hygiene supplies.
Abdullah Nazari ’25
Kaaj Education provides girls in Afghanistan with educational courses, interpersonal skills training, one-to-one mentorship, access to tutorials and digital learning resources, and support with the university application process.
Nurbolot Piridinov ’26
United Network offers classes in English language, digital literacy, and civic education to high school students and teachers in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
ASHESI UNIVERSITY
Maxwell Antwi ’25
myScholarsHUB empowers high school students and graduates from underserved communities in Ghana to pursue tertiary education through workshops on available resources, assistance in applying for fully funded university scholarships, mentorship, and career guidance.
Leeroy T. Magora ’25
KubikaNuce produces clean and affordable cooking fuel (bioethanol made from local corn stover) to reduce deforestation, fuel shortages, and indoor air pollution. After a successful pilot program involving 10 households, the project is expanding production capacity to serve 5,000 households in the Rusape community, Zimbabwe.
Priscile Nkenmeza ’25
EduPower Youth Foundation provides youth in Bor town, South Sudan, with hard-to- get educational resources through book and solar-lamp donations, setting up learning-friendly library spaces and mentorship, and providing entrepreneurial training to support job creation.
BARD COLLEGE ANNANDALE
Tyler Figueroa ’26
CommunityConnect, a project at Bard since 2003, meets biweekly at an elementary school in Red Hook, New York, to provide free tutoring in reading, writing, and math to youth whose first language is not English.
Sierra Ford ’26
Election@Bard is a student voting initiative and nonpartisan effort to safeguard the right to vote in Red Hook, New York, by helping eligible Bard students and local community members register to vote, learn about candidates, and attend candidate forums.
Reece Sherf ’26
Red Hook ESL, a project at Bard since 2003, meets biweekly in Red Hook, New York, to provide free English lessons for adult immigrants and an annual community gathering to promote social inclusion.
BARD COLLEGE BERLIN
Vishal Parkash ’27
Emprende Berlin promotes social entrepreneurship, financial independence, and financial literacy in the Pankow community through bimonthly educational workshops, networking events, and mentorship programs.
BRAC UNIVERSITY
Nafira Ahmad ’27
Amplitude is a fundraising initiative for the Dhaka community with such projects as a winter clothing drive, hygiene kit giveaways, book and school supply drives, open-mic events and art exhibitions for local artists, and a podcast to talk about societal taboos.
Umme Kulsum Aunanna ’27
Project Pother School provides free education to underprivileged youth in Dhaka through in-person classes and experiential learning activities like tree planting , street cleaning, and participation in festivals.
Mushifiqur Rahaman ’25
EcoFlow Revive combines environmental conservation and community education to restore Banani Lake in Dhaka through a solar-powered water disinfection method that was developed by Brac students and has the potential to reach 283,000 residents affected by poor water quality in the lake.
CENTRAL EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY
Jazmin Velenczei ’27
English Tutoring Project uses a globally diverse team of CEU tutors to teach English to youth in Budapest, Hungary, through one-to-one, conversation-based lessons.
EUROPEAN HUMANITIES UNIVERSITY
Alina Kalachova ’25
Place of Heritage in Interdisciplinary is a series of educational meetups in different European cities for discussions of contemporary understandings of heritage and its practices in different cultural, organizational, and social contexts.
Mark Sharag ’25
Thrift 2 Fight Store: From Closet to Social Justice is a documentary showcasing a thrift store in upstate New York and how its backstory, milestones, future goals, and ties to Belarus tell an inspiring story about an unconventional route to advocacy and social justice. It shows why supporting local initiatives that fight for justice around the world is so important.
Palina Shynkevich ’25
Entrepreneurship in Poland for Belarusians investigates the legal framework for individual entrepreneurship in Poland and provides the results, as well as practical guidance, to Belarusian immigrants wishing to initiate their own businesses.
HAITIAN EDUCATION AND LEADERSHIP PROGRAM (HELP)
Nathalissa Charles ’24
Jèn Fanm Angaje pou Ayiti (Young Women Engaged for Haiti) provides comprehensive civic and political education via online sessions to the next generation of women political leaders: young women in Port-au-Prince.
Vickania Turenne ’24
Coaching for Social Inclusion hosts conferences and training sessions to raise awareness and provide support to people with disabilities and underprivileged children in Haiti who face abuse and violence.
HERTIE SCHOOL
Mariia Mamedbekova ’24 MA
Civil Society Action is a research project about civil societies and their role as checks and balances to prevent abuses of power.
HUBS FOR CONNECTED LEARNING INITIATIVES (HUBS)
Christian Boabab ’24
The Refugee Uplift Network is a self-expression initiative in Kakuma refugee camp to train young people in storytelling, film production, and media literacy.
Nyariel Udier Bol ’23
SHE RISES empowers girls in Kakuma refugee camp through comprehensive sexual reproductive health education, mentorship, and advocacy. SHE RISES equips young individuals with the knowledge and resources necessary for making informed decisions about their reproductive health.
Robert Claudio ’23
Community Upright Project empowers youth in Kakuma refugee camp through educational support and talent-promotion initiatives, aiming to combat drug abuse and foster positive engagement.
Gilbert Ntawuyankira ’25
Rescue Our Mother Nature Planet provides teach-ins about climate change to Kakuma refugee camp in order to foster discussion and action on environmental issues.
NATIONAL SUN YAT-SEN UNIVERSITY
Tsai-Ju Chung ’25
Color Your Social Mind enhances the social skills of university students through games that foster connections, promote discussions, and require group cooperation for play. Students leave with more confidence and feeling less social anxiety.
NEW COLLEGE OF FLORIDA
Olivia Mikkelsen ’26
Florida Women in Politics Initiative connects those in university student government with high school students through a mentorship program that encourages the mentees to pursue careers in policy and fosters a network to empower women leaders in Florida politics.
PARAMI UNIVERSITY
Pone Nyet Aung ’26
EvolveMinds: Mental Health Support Club provides weekly peer-to-peer support sessions for Parami students in order to promote mental health awareness and provide stress-relieving activities.
Phyo Thiha Aung ’27
Vitalizing Student Research Initiative fills the education gap for youth in Myanmar through online meetups that include trainings in conducting research and writing, editing, and publishing about pragmatic, research-based solutions to social issues.
Theint Thada Phyu ’26
Health Journal Club meets monthly to read and discuss academic journals and papers on public health topics in order to demystify health research and bridge the gap between scholarly articles and everyday applications. Many of the students who attend are not in health-related majors.
TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY
Jaycob Beasley ’26
Party at the Polls: Voter Registration Initiative hosts an annual event on campus to register eligible youth voters, raise awareness of voter suppression, and empower young adults to influence policies that impact our lives.
Tierney Macon ’25
Tales from Trailblazers is a podcast and fundraising project to connect local listeners with the rich history of legacies/gems/trailblazers in Tuskegee, Alabama, and their impact, both locally and worldwide.
Indya Whitaker ’25
Big Sistas, Inc. connects mentors from Tuskegee University with middle school and high school students in Macon County, Georgia, through in-person activities that promote bonding, mentorship, and practical programs to support each other and the community.
UNIVERSIDAD DE LOS ANDES
Sophia Santamaria Garcia ’25
Mujeres Artesanas (Artisan Women) revitalizes traditional crafts to empower women artisans to adapt to contemporary tastes, enhance economic sustainability, and preserve cultural heritage in Iza, Boyacá, Colombia.
Lina X Ramos ’25
Nos llegó el periodo (Our Period Arrived) provides equal and free access to menstrual hygiene products in restrooms on campus, and works to destigmatize sexual and reproductive health needs.
UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES –ST. AUGUSTINE CAMPUS IN TRINIDAD
Ruth Dimgba ’25
Trees for Tomorrow is made up of university students who visit local primary schools and run a climate education workshop that includes crafts (DIY wind chimes made with organic materials), games, reflection, and the planting of a Moringa tree.
UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND
Nompumelelo Khoeli ’25
Student a Day is an educational fair for secondary school youth to spend a day as a student at the University of the Witwatersrand and learn about different career choices.
Nhlakanipho Sikhosana ’25
Fast and Feast is a pay-it-forward campaign that allows university students to give meals and food to other students who don’t have enough.
Brothers@ is a dual-beneficiary, high school retention and college persistence organization with the mission of improving the academic and social-emotional outcomes of young men of color (YMOC) in both secondary and post-secondary education. The group does this by recruiting, training, and hiring collegiate men of color to serve as positive male role models to their high school peers, and by creating pathways to full-time employment as professional mentors on college campuses, within local communities, and at nonprofits serving YMOC.
Devyn Benson ’25
Brothers@ Vassar College
Devyn’s chapter is ready to scale up and reach more high schools that neighbor the college.
Fitzmore Codogan ’26
Brothers@ American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA)
Fitzmore’s chapter focuses on elevating YMOC artists to be expressive and creative.
Elijah Grace ’27
Brothers@ Morehouse College
Elijah’s chapter supports first-generation and low-income college students.
Amir McFarlane ’27
Brothers@ Howard University
Amir’s chapter focuses on the inclusivity of the voices of LGBTQ+ young men of color.
Hanson Rodriguez ’27
Brothers@ Howard University
Hanson’s chapter focuses on supporting mental health initiatives.
TALLOIRES NETWORK OF ENGAGED UNIVERSITIES
The Talloires Network of Engaged Universities is a growing global coalition of 431 university presidents, vice chancellors, and rectors in 86 countries who have publicly committed to strengthening the civic roles and social responsibilities of their institutions. It is the largest international network focused particularly on university civic engagement.
Steering Committee Student Representative
Nancy Mba, Ashesi University ’23
Magnificent Smiles Foundation is made up of Ashesi students who provide mentorship, tutoring, and holistic development opportunities to orphaned and vulnerable children in Ghana.
GET ENGAGED 2024 FILM CORE
A case study project to capture on film the transformation that Get Engaged students go through before and after the conference. The films show students gaining more confidence, more cultural fluency, and a better perspective of their social issues in the broader global context, and then returning home with more agency to make even greater strides in their project. The films aim to inspire young people around the world to see what is possible, so that they too can be positive changemakers in their communities.
Faculty Adviser: Dina Hossain, BRACU
Staff Adviser: Yaw Kwakyi ’22 (Ashesi)
Student Filmmaker: Partho Chowdhury ’24 (BRACU)
Student Filmmaker: Slava Ivanov ’25 (AUCA)
Student Photographer: Ibrar Mirzai ’24 (BCB)
With special thanks to Eva Egensteiner, program manager for the OSUN Network Courses; Chaya Huber, Get Engaged organizer; and the faculty of the OSUN Network course Storytelling for Civic Engagement for making this project possible.
GET ENGAGED PLANNING TEAM
Bard College Annandale
Erin Cannan
Chaya Huber
Naseem Nazari ’24
Caitlin O’Donnell
Valeriia Razheva ‘26
Bard College Berlin
Maria Anderson-Long
Ahmad Denno ’22
Faiza Lynar
Ibrar Mirzai ’24
Hertie School
Matthew Poet
With special thanks to the staff, administration, faculty, and civic engagement coordinators at every partner institution who work tirelessly and cooperatively to support the students and staff to make this event possible.
GET ENGAGED 2024 CONFERENCE STAFF
Samuel Jude Acquaah, Assistant Director, Experiential Learning and Outreach Programs, Ashesi University
Meaghan Balzer, Academic Director, Haitian Education and Leadership Program (HELP)
Jonathan Becker, Executive Vice President and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Bard College Annandale; Director, Center for Civic Engagement, Bard College Annandale; Vice Chancellor, OSUN
Lisa Bratton, Associate Professor, Tuskegee University
Erin Cannan, Vice President for Civic Engagement, Bard College Annandale; Deputy Director, Center for Civic Engagement, Bard College Annandale; Director, OSUN Civic Engagement Initiative
Shemar Clarke, Operations Officer, Brothers@
Justin Courtlandt, Strategic Partnership & Programs Implementation Specialist, Brothers@
Muska Dastageer, Lecturer, American University of Afghanistan
Ahmad Denno, Conference Consultant, Bard College Berlin
Sarah deVeer, Outreach Coordinator, Center for Civic Engagement, Bard College Annandale
Celia Davidson Francis, Director, Alumni Relations, University of the West Indies; Regional Director, Responsible Futures, University of the West Indies, Mona Campus
Bonnie Goad, Associate Director, Center for Civic Engagement, Bard College Annandale; Director, OSUN Program Development and Communications
Rebecca Granato, Associate Vice President for Global Initiatives, Bard College Annandale; Director, OSUN Hubs for Connected Learning Initiatives
Seamus Heady, Digital Media Specialist, OSUN, Bard College Annandale
Dina Hossain, Senior Lecturer, School of General Education, BRAC University
Chaya Huber, Program Coordinator, OSUN Civic Engagement Initiative, Bard College Annandale
Aliia Iusupova, Coordinator, Center for Civic Engagement, American University of Central Asia
Nurzhamal Karamoldoeva, Executive Director, Center for Civic Engagement, American University of Central Asia
Jessica Khin, Director, Admissions and Student Affairs, Parami University
Yaw Kwakyi, Communications & Student Outreach Assistant, OSUN, Ashesi University
Flora Laszlo, Director, Civic Engagement, Arts and Culture, Central European University
Faiza Lynar, Manager, Office of Civic Engagement, Bard College Berlin
Paul Marienthal, Dean for Social Action, Bard College Annandale; Director, Trustee Leader Scholar Program, Bard College Annandale
Sarah Bou Matar, Programs Manager, Center for Civic Engagement and Community Service, American University of Beirut
Ibrar Mirzai, Assistant Conference Organizer, Bard College Berlin
Kgomotso Moshugi, Faculty, OSUN Civic Engagement Coordinator, University of the Witwatersrand
Htet Aung Hlaing (Pedro) Myint, Assistant Manager, Student Affairs, Parami University
Caitlin O’Donnell, Program Manager, OSUN Civic Engagement Initiative, Bard College Annandale
Fahmida Rahman, Lecturer and Program Coordinator, School of General Education, BRAC University
María José Caicedo Serrano, Coordinator of Student Engagement and Leadership, Universidad de los Andes
Rabih Shibli, Director, Center for Civic Engagement and Community Service, American University of Beirut
Blanka Szilasi, Coordinator, Civic Engagement, Central European University
Liliana Tymchencko, Associate Professor, Eastern Humanities University; Project Coordinator, OSUN Eastern Humanities University
Dariel Vasquez, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Institutional Initiatives; CEO, Brothers@
Christopher Wedeman, Coordinator, Civic Engagement, Al-Quds Bard College
Sabina Wien, Dean of Students, American University in Bulgaria
GET ENGAGED 2024
