To recognize five decades of fostering international ties and cultural exchange, American Councils for International Education launched the year-long "50 Alumni for 50 Years" initiative that highlights 50 distinguished alumni who exemplify the organization's commitment to transforming lives through public diplomacy, language acquisition, and cultural exchange. These 50 alumni share their unique journeys and contributions, reflecting the impact of American Councils' mission and the important influence of international education programs in promoting mutual understanding and global cooperation.
From among these 50 prestigious alumni, two will be selected as the inaugural recipients of the David P. Patton Distinguished Alumni Award and offered the opportunity to spend a week in Washington, DC to engage in professional development and consultations with American Councils, program funders, and public and private sector leaders. The Patton Distinguished Alumni Award will directly support projects and activities that are important to the honorees and contribute to American Councils' mission.
American Councils is proud to share a selection of stories from participants of the 50 Alumni for 50 Years initiative and their work in the fields of higher education, foreign affairs, entrepreneurship, and humanitarian and sustainability initiatives. To find out more about the 50 Alumni for 50 Years initiative, visit our website here.
Academia and Higher Education
The professional lives of 50 alumni for 50 years participants Dr. Alexander Markarov and Dr. Emilia Zankina reflect American Councils enduring commitment to academia and higher education. Dr. Markarov is currently the Head of the International Cooperation Office at Yerevan State University (YSU) in Armenia. In 2001, he participated in the Junior Faculty Development Program (JFDP), which involved collaboration with faculty at the University of Iowa. The tools and methodologies he acquired through this exchange continue to enhance course development at YSU, and his teaching has significantly impacted the new generation of Armenian academics. Dr. Zankina's international education journey began as a graduate student from the United States when she was awarded the Southeast European Research Scholar Grant through the Title VIII program in 2007. This opportunity allowed her to study in Bulgaria, where she conducted interviews with government officials, journalists, and scholars, and engaged in archival research using local library resources. Her time abroad greatly enriched her academic pursuits and fostered lasting professional connections and friendships that continue to influence her career.
Environmental Advocacy
Among the 50 Alumni for 50 Years selected participants, several individuals are making significant contributions to promoting sustainability, conservation, and climate change advocacy. Mr. Kemo Fatty, Director of Green-Up Gambia, credits his career in environmental conservation to his involvement with American Councils. His participation in the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) in 2022 exposed him to a range of global conservation perspectives and professional development opportunities, significantly advancing his work in West Africa. With the support of the Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) grant, Kemo launched a pioneering incubator that supports 21 social enterprises dedicated to promoting sustainability and climate resilience in The Gambia. Mr. Hikaru Hayakawa discovered his passion for volunteering during his exchange year in North Macedonia with the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Abroad (YES Abroad). Inspired by the dedication of his Macedonian peers, Hikaru founded Climate Cardinals, the world’s largest youth-led climate advocacy organization. Under his leadership, Climate Cardinals has grown to over 10,000 volunteers across 80 countries and has made significant strides in making climate education resources accessible globally.
Humanitarian Activism
Across American Councils’ alumni network, the organization proudly recognizes individuals using their international education experiences to advance humanitarian activism. In Romania, Mr. Adrian Neculita, an alumnus of the Open World program, supports police efforts to combat human trafficking in Bucharest. As a Crime Scene and Ballistics Specialist with the General Directorate of Bucharest Police, Adrian leads a project training 50 police officers in identifying human trafficking victims, equipping law enforcement officials with essential knowledge and skills to combat the trafficking of persons across Romania. Mr. Marek Janiga, a Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) Program alumnus from Slovakia, founded United for Help, an NGO dedicated to providing humanitarian and development aid to conflict-affected regions. At 22 years old, Marek has conducted on-the-ground support on the frontlines of Eastern Ukraine. Additional projects include United for Iraq, a 2023 project in Kurdistan, and United for Armenia, which focuses on providing humanitarian aid to ethnic-Armenian refugees.
In Vietnam, Ms. Vu Thi Quyen harnessed her experiences with the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative Professional Fellows Program (YSEALI PFP) to advance her entrepreneurial career and champion workplace inclusivity for people with disabilities. Drawing on her own lived experiences as a person with disabilities, Quyen established companies that provide accessible employment opportunities. Her efforts challenge stereotypes, spark broader dialogue on the significance of inclusivity in the workplace, and drive advocacy for change.
Foreign Affairs and Diplomacy
The careers of Conrad Turner and Zana Zeqiri-Rudi exemplify how international exchange can propel careers in diplomacy while encouraging global cooperation. Dr. Conrad Turner, a Distinguished Visiting Professional at Fairfield University's Waide Center for Applied Ethics and a retired Minister-Counselor of the U.S. Foreign Service, attributes part of his diplomatic career to his experiences with the Advanced Russian Language and Area Studies Program (RLASP). After studying abroad with RLASP, he secured a job with a U.S.-funded exhibition in the Soviet Union, which became a springboard for his entry into the Foreign Service. Throughout his service in Belarus, Croatia, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Serbia, and Ukraine, Conrad leveraged his language skills and cross-cultural understandings from RLASP. Her Excellency Zana Zeqiri, Kosova's first Ambassador to Panama and later to multiple Latin American and Caribbean nations, credits her career advancement to her experiences as a Kosovo American Education Fund (KAEF) fellow at Harvard Kennedy School. During her ambassadorship, Zana advanced Kosova’s diplomatic relations across the region, promoting cooperation and mutual respect, and strengthening Kosova’s presence on the global stage.