EDUCATION

University of Virginia 2013-2017

Bachelor of Arts
Global Development Studies (Distinguished Major Program)
Social Entrepreneurship

School of Oriental and African Studies 2016

Studied forced migration, development, conflict, water rights, and national/ethnic identity
Interned for One Acre Fund, researching potential local partners in Malawi and India

McIntire Business Institute 2016

Completed intensive 5-week business program
Studied and utilized marketing, accounting, finance, management, communications, and Excel
Produced and presented consulting case for Abercrombie and Fitch

iXperience 2015

Completed intensive 4-week coding academy followed by 4-week web development internship for a local non-profit
Worked extensively with HTML, CSS, Ruby, Rails
Designed and built fully-functional web applications

VOLUNTEER TEAM LEAD

“Cultural mentorship helps in various ways to meet the practical, emotional, and logistical needs of a newly arrived refugee family. It is a commitment to welcome and embrace others by assisting with resettlement. Your warm welcome and practical help enable refugees to become self-sufficient and independent as quickly as possible.”

Since early 2022 I have led a team of Lutheran Family Services Refugee & Asylee Program volunteers in supporting newly arrived refugee families during their first few months in the United States. Using my cross-cultural knowledge and first hand experience in the Levant region, I help to guide mentors as they walk with a refugee family through the challenges and adjustments that come with resettlement.

BROADENING MY PERSPECTIVE

New Zealand | Australia | Indonesia | Ethiopia

I spent the better part of 2018-2019 van living and learning across the globe. When I wasn’t working on freelance web design and conversion strategy, managing a winery tasting room or coordinating vineyard weddings, I was experiencing stunning landscapes and wonderful conversations. These experiences tested my budgeting, logistics, and cross-cultural communication skills, as well as my perseverance. I’m proud of the many ways I grew and adapted throughout the experience.

undergraduate Thesis Project

"The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a global humanitarian aid, relief and development nongovernmental organization. Founded in 1933, the IRC offers emergency aid and long-term assistance to refugees and those displaced by war, persecution or natural disaster. The IRC is currently working in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities where it resettles refugees and helps them become self-sufficient."

  • Partnered with the Charlottesville International Rescue Committee to dispel harmful myths surrounding resettled refugees

  • Analyzed economic impact of resettled refugees in Charlottesville, Virginia (read report)

  • Directed, filmed, and edited docu-series on refugee entrepreneurs

  • Earned Distinguished Major accolade for the project's impact (read thesis)

Photos used with permission.

Ku-punzitsa Apunzitsi

"Special Hope Network (SHN) is an organization in Lusaka, Zambia that provides therapy and education to children with intellectual disabilities. SHN trains Zambian high school graduates to implement these health services. Our team traveled to Lusaka to collaborate with SHN in improving teachers’ skills in planning fine motor, gross motor, literacy and math lessons. We sought to understand whether direct teacher training in executive skills related to professional work, namely lesson planning, improved the educational services offered by SHN."

  • Created protocol to improve special education services for Special Hope Network, NGO in Lusaka, Zambia

  • Researched executive function, educational policy, and disability theory to produce and implement new curriculum affecting approximately 200 children

  • Tracked and documented improvement in fine motor, gross motor, and academic (literacy and math) milestones

  • Wrote local and national grant applications resulting in $50,000 in funding

  • 3 papers published (Jefferson Public Citizens and David Projects for Peace)

  • 2 news articles featuring project

Photos used with permission.

Alternative Spring Break

"Alternative Spring Break (ASB) is an entirely student-run service organization established in 1992 to conduct service projects during spring break for University of Virginia students. The mission of ASB is to bring together members of the University in the common goals of charitable service to and education about the global community, in order to promote and train future service leaders."

  • Planned week long service trips to Atlanta and San Francisco

  • Coordinated with airlines, hostels, and 8 community partners

  • Managed over $15,000, led 20 undergraduate students

Bridging the Gap

"Bridging the Gap volunteers are devoted to befriending and mentoring refugee children from Burma, Congo, Iraq, Kenya, Liberia, Nepal, Russia, Sierra Leon, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Thailand, and Togo who have resettled in the Charlottesville area. BTG volunteers seek to inspire and help refugee youth, typically ranging from 5-15 years of age, develop the tools necessary to obtain greater opportunities in US society.”

  • Participated as a Bridging the Gap mentor for 4 years

  • Hung out with an iceskating and popsicle eating superstar who moved from Myanmar with her family!

  • Learned about the resettlement process and experience of applying for benefits