The Student Diplomacy Corps is determined to support our students, families and educational partners. 2020 has been a tremendous struggle for the communities we serve. Lower income high school students living in some of the hardest hit neighborhoods across the USA have seen academic support, college guidance and enrichment opportunities diminish. College graduates are joining a workforce devastated by the global pandemic.
While COVID-19 has interrupted international travel programs, SDC has designed new student-centered initiatives that help young people develop college readiness and professional skills while expressing creativity and building community.
Over the past six months, SDC has invited hundreds of students from New York City, rural Colorado, Kansas City, Chicago, New Jersey and across the nation to participate in master classes with global experts, learn from social justice activists and journalists, engage in job training through short term micro-employment contracts, connect with peers from coast to coast and craft exceptional college essays with writing mentors.
Over the next six months, new initiatives will provide academic support, invite students to join learning communities to earn Red Cross certifications, participate in virtual extracurricular clubs and enroll in experimental online college seminars.
Donor investment strengthens and sustains the Student Diplomacy Corps’ capacity to help young people succeed. Thanks for your support and encouragement.
a series of virtual master classes, career panels, culture clubs and social justice debates to help Student Diplomats enhance college readiness, develop new skills, express creativity and build community while sheltering safely at home.
To date, 30 experts, educators and activists from around the world have facilitated 25 workshops during 600 contact hours for 200 motivated Student Diplomats from across the nation. Master classes include:
online college application and writing workshops for high school seniors.
Students learning remotely and missing out on essential college guidance participated in weekly classes and received 80 hours of individualized support from three writing mentors. By the end of the workshop, students completed college essays and personal statements. College Corps workshops will continue in 2021. Topics covered also included:
paid professional development initiative to support recent SDC college graduates entering a workforce devastated by the pandemic.
Inspired by Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Muhammad Yunus and his micro-credit initiatives, SDC launched the Student Diplomacy Service Corps. Service Corps Associates are selected for renewable paid three to five-week contracts to engage in professional development, skills-building, training and collaboration with SDC staff and international colleagues.
20 Service Corps Associates graduating from colleges and universities across the country have supported nearly 1000 hours of virtual group leadership, curriculum development, video, audio & graphic design, recruitment, enrollment & outreach, social media & technical support. SDC intends to double the number of professional opportunities to recent college graduates over the next 8 months. Service Corps Associates attended the following colleges:
an innovative approach to build competency, confidence and comfort in mathematics for students striving to succeed.
Starting in December 2020 and running through the winter, SDC MATHmatters group sessions will explore how mathematics are present in everyday life. Guest speakers will share how they apply math in their careers. Math puzzles will be solved collectively to build ease and identify patterns that help students approach coursework with skill and confidence.
SDC MATHmatters Director, Miguel Perez Luna, an experienced classroom teacher is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Urban Planning from Harvard University. Miguel and a team of SDC Associates and MATHwizards will serve as one-on-one instructors during weekly individualized tutorials to supplement weekly collaborative sessions.
a series of on-going enrichment opportunities for small cohorts of Student Diplomats to supplement and, in some cases, replace extra-curricular activities that schools have cancelled due to COVID-19 mitigation efforts.
Starting in February 2021, SDC will run virtual enrichment opportunities throughout the Winter and Spring. Projects will be offered to students from our national network of educational partners and new nominating schools and youth development organizations. The Enrichment Corps will enable students to earn certifications, engage with peers across the nation, reduce stress, improve mental and physical fitness and provide an outlet for creative expression and leadership. Working with expert facilitators, groups of 10-15 students will work together throughout their enrichment projects. Enrichment includes:
scholarship supported college level seminars for motivated high school students.
Starting in summer 2021, SDXCO curriculum will be developed and delivered by scholars, and courses will parallel elements of the thematic content explored by SDC’s international education programs.
Seminars will welcome between 10 – 15 students. Professors will be assisted by teaching assistants selected through the Student Diplomacy Service Corps program for college seniors and recent college graduates. Student Diplomacy Experimental College seminars will be developed around some of the following themes and topics:
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