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My Role at GLI
My Role at GLI
The Global Livingston Institute (GLI) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding cultural and educational exchange between the United States and East Africa. As an intern to CEO Ryan Grundy, I work alongside GLI staff on research, strategic planning, program development, and communications initiatives that advance this mission.
My work focuses on expanding access to study abroad in Africa, strengthening institutional partnerships, and demonstrating the value of educational experiences beyond traditional destinations. Through these projects, I've contributed to GLI programs that have enabled more than 150 American students to travel to East Africa.
On this page, you will find an overview of the projects I have completed throughout my internship, from researching trends in international education and developing institutional impact reports to supporting strategic planning, student outreach, and organizational communications. Each project reflects a different aspect of my work to help GLI expand educational opportunities and strengthen connections between the United States and East Africa.
Research & Strategic Development
Institutional Research
Institutional Research
JUNE – AUGUST 2025
One of my largest projects involved researching the changing landscape of international education in the United States. I examined the geographic concentration of American study abroad, investigating why European destinations continue to attract significantly more students than regions of the Global South, particularly East Africa.
My research also explored disparities in study abroad participation, the effects of federal policy and funding changes, and the role of scholarships in expanding access to international education.
I synthesized these findings into a comprehensive SWOT analysis for GLI leadership, identifying organizational strengths, challenges, and opportunities for future growth. This research helped inform GLI's strategic planning by identifying barriers to student participation, opportunities for institutional partnerships, and strategies for expanding educational exchange with East Africa.
Non-profit Strategic Planning
Non-profit Strategic Planning
JUNE – AUGUST 2025
To support GLI's strategic planning process, I conducted a comparative analysis of five leading international education nonprofits, including NAFSA and American Field Service (AFS). I examined how these organizations approached long-term growth, institutional partnerships, fundraising, and the expansion of international educational opportunities.
My research focused on identifying successful organizational practices that GLI could adapt to strengthen its operations and expand its reach. I compiled my findings into a comprehensive report outlining key strategies and actionable recommendations for GLI's future development.
My findings were shared with more than 15 GLI board members and staff, helping inform decisions about organizational funding, resource allocation, and the direction of GLI's educational programs. By connecting practices from established nonprofits to GLI's specific needs, my research contributed to strategic discussions about how to secure financial support and expand opportunities for students to study abroad in East Africa.
Fundraising, Communications, & Outreach
Fundraising
Fundraising
SEPTEMBER – NOVEMBER 2025 & SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER 2026
In 2025, I worked alongside GLI staff to help organize the organization's annual fundraiser, which raised $250,000 to support all of GLI's programs in East Africa.
I helped coordinate event logistics and recruited five student volunteers to assist with setup, welcome attendees, and engage with donors. During the event, I also spoke with community members about GLI's mission, programs, and the importance of expanding study abroad opportunities in Africa.
I am currently helping plan the 2026 fundraiser, continuing to recruit volunteers and coordinate event preparations to support GLI's fundraising goals.
Digital Promotional Materials
Digital Promotional Materials
DECEMBER 2025 – FEBRUARY 2026
To strengthen GLI's outreach efforts and attract more students to its educational programs in East Africa, I designed eight standardized digital flyer templates for use across future trips.
Working alongside GLI staff, I developed promotional materials highlighting program itineraries, educational experiences, travel logistics, and application information. These materials were designed to make GLI's programs more accessible and appealing to prospective students while maintaining consistent branding across the organization.
Beyond these flyers, I have contributed to additional outreach and marketing materials used across GLI's website, social media platforms, and institutional communications. Through this work, I've helped GLI communicate its mission to broader audiences, strengthen its relationships with educational partners, and encourage greater student participation in their study abroad programs in East Africa.
An example of a finalized promotional flyer I designed for GLI's trips
2025 Annual Report
2025 Annual Report
MARCH – JUNE 2026
I contributed to GLI's 2025 Annual Report, which documents the organization's programs, partnerships, and accomplishments over the previous year.
Working alongside GLI staff, I drafted program and project summaries, gathered photographs, and helped organize content to demonstrate the organization's impact to donors, institutional partners, and board members.
Beyond documenting GLI's accomplishments, the Annual Report is a key fundraising tool. By demonstrating how previous contributions translated into meaningful educational opportunities and measurable program outcomes, the report helps build donor confidence, encourage continued financial support, and attract new funding to expand GLI's programs in East Africa.
GLI-2025-Annual-Report-2026-07-10.pdfEducational Program Development & Impact
Post-Trip Impact Reports
Post-Trip Impact Reports
JULY – SEPTEMBER 2025
A central part of my work involved helping GLI communicate the educational impact of its study abroad programs to participating institutions.
I analyzed student surveys, personal testimonials, and program highlights to produce post-trip impact reports documenting students' experiences and learning outcomes.
I also developed a standardized reporting template for future GLI programs, creating a consistent framework for communicating program outcomes and demonstrating their value to institutional partners.
These reports were shared with participating schools and universities to strengthen partnerships and support efforts to secure continued funding for educational exchange with Africa.
Participating Institutions
University of California, Davis
Creighton University School of Medicine
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Rollins College
Loyola University New Orleans
University of Colorado Boulder Engineering Leadership Program
Denver School of Science and Technology
Atlas Preparatory High School
Galapagos Charter School
Student Orientation Review
Student Orientation Review
FEBRUARY – MAY 2025
I evaluated GLI's pre-departure orientation process to identify opportunities to better prepare students for their educational experiences in East Africa.
My review examined the clarity, organization, and effectiveness of orientation materials and programming. I provided recommendations to GLI staff, and feedback from the review was incorporated into improvements to the orientation process.
This project introduced me to the operational side of international education and the importance of preparing students for meaningful cross-cultural engagement.
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