News
Alumni Spotlight: Diana Citlali Avila Padilla ALP ‘22 Paves The Way for Women in STEAM
Diana Avila, alumna from Mexico, already co-founded a nonprofit and now won a Community Action Award for her initiative, SisterSTEAM. She aims to provide a community for women in STEAM to support each other’s goals and wellbeing through this initiative.
Aspire Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Despina Sanoudou Cites Her Work with Youth as Her Most Meaningful Contribution
Dr. Sanoudou, a leader in the field of pharmacogenomics, feels honored to have had a role in the origin of genomics and hopes her story inspires Aspire Leaders Program participants to pursue their passions.
Aspire Institute’s Inaugural Distinguished Speaker Series: Giving a Voice to Youth
Our keynote speaker for the first Distinguished Speaker Series and Liberian peace activist, Leymah Gbowee, outlined how youth can be partners for peace and recognize their own agency as future leaders.
Malawi Alumni Organize Event With Harvard Surgeon
Aspire Leaders Program alumni and current participants joined Dr. Kiran Agarwal-Harding, co-founder of Harvard Global Orthopedics Collaborative and SONA Global, in Malawi this month to meet, network, and think about the challenges and opportunities when starting community initiatives.
Hein Oo ALP ‘22, Refugee from Myanmar, Found a Community at Aspire
Hein Oo fled Myanmar in 2021 and settled in the U.S. As he works to find community here, he continues to support his home community and the planet as a young leader and environmental advocate.
Aspire Global Partner, Office of Industrial Links at IIUM, Provides Opportunities for Young Adults to Make an Impact
Aspire Partner, the Office of Industrial Links at IIUM, supports a global group of students explore their next step, valuing collaboration between academia and industry.
Aspire Faculty Spotlight: Doris Sommer Encourages Balance Between Purpose And Passion
Professor Doris Sommer will return to lead two faculty seminars in the 2023 Aspire Leaders Program. She inspires young adults to harness their passion and find their purpose.
Aspire Faculty Spotlight: Can Erbil Strives to Create Value for the Next Generation
Can Erbil, Boston College Economics Professor and Turkey Regional Faculty Advisor for Aspire Institute, specializes in bridging the gap between developmental economic theory and applied practice.
2022 Community Action Awards: Alumni-Led Social Impact
18 Aspire Leaders Program alumni pitched their social impact projects to a panel of entrepreneurs. Ten projects across nine countries will receive this award of up to $10,000 and begin their social impact journey. Projects solve problems from preserving post-harvest crops to providing awareness and greater service to those with disabilities.
India Alumni Field Day: Community Building Across Generations of Leaders
30 Aspire Leaders Program alumn gathered in New Delhi for the first ever India Field Day on January 24. Alumni and professionals from across generations came together as a community to share their ideas, experiences, opinions, and advice. Aspire Country Affiliate, Anil Nair, organized this exciting community-building event.
Peruvian Alumni Meet Aspire Programs Manager, Erika Sologuren
Alumni from Peru gathered in Lima with Programs Manager, Erika Sologuren, and discuss how their life has changed since finishing stage 5.
Nepali Alumni Gather at Nepal Leadership Academy
Alumni gathered at Nepal Leadership Academy and met Dr. Pukar Malla, Harvard Kennedy School graduate and nonprofit leader.
Alumni in Pakistan Connect and Learn From Industry Leaders
Aspire alumni in Pakistan met with industry leaders to network and open up doors for internships and other opportunities.
Jameson Pierre-Louis ALP ’21 from Haiti Feels Sense of Belonging after Aspire Leaders Program
Jameson Pierre-Louis learned that he is not alone in the difficulties he faces as a low-income student after the Aspire Leaders Program in 2021. Today, he works to make an impact and inspire other young leaders.
Aspire Faculty Spotlight: Aldahir Caballero Believes in the Potential of Young Leaders
Professor Aldahir Caballero, a specialist in business, alliances and innovation, has worked with youth for 10 years, teaching them the fundamentals of creating, defining and managing a new business through the use of innovative tools and methodologies. He is confident the Aspire alumni will continue to be leaders.
Aspire Global Partner, Babban Gona, Invests in Young People Today for a Better Tomorrow
Babban Gona is an Aspire partner organization in Nigeria. Founded during a time of turmoil and insecurity in West Africa, their mission is to make farming more profitable for smallholder farmers and turn at-risk young people into successful entrepreneurs. Together, Aspire and Babban Gona invest in young people for a better tomorrow.
Aspire Global Partner Science Clubs International Expands Education and Resources for Underserved Youth
In 2014, a group of Mexican graduate students studying at Harvard University came together to provide high-quality education and resources to those less-privileged. Originating as 'Club de Ciencia’ (Science Club) in Mexico, this organization has grown from a regional to an international effort. Together, Aspire Institute and Science Clubs International provide opportunities for underserved youth to discover their full potential through fully funded programs.
Şeyma Kara ALP ‘20 from Turkey Values Cross-Cultural Collaboration in Solving Community Problems
Turkish Aspire alumna and Aspire Alumni Ambassador values cross-cultural collaboration and research-backed solutions to community problems.
Aspire Faculty Spotlight: Sérgio G. Lazzarini Encourages Thoughtful Debate to Address Pressing Problems
Professor Lazzarini delivers an engaging seminar on Privatizations and stresses the importance of calm and thoughtful debate among Aspire Leaders in Training.
Aspire Global Partner Ismart Commits to Breaking the Poverty Cycle in Brazil
Ismart and Aspire Institute share the belief that talent exists across socioeconomic backgrounds and offer programs that empower youth from underserved backgrounds to catalyze change in their communities.
Shushanna Arakelyan ALP ’21 from Armenia Perseveres to Gain Valuable Experiences
With her zest for knowledge and desire to impact her community, ALP alumna from Armenia exemplifies the impact of perseverance.
Aspire Faculty Spotlight: Diane Davis Admires Global Consciousness and Curiosity
Professor Davis discussed how sociology helps address global challenges. The first in her family to pursue a graduate degree, she felt moved by the curiosity among Aspire learners.
Aspire Global Partner, Egypt Scholars, Believes Youth Drive Social Impact
Egypt Scholars advances the fields of scientific research and entrepreneurship by supporting students and researchers. Aspire Institute and Egypt Scholars share a commitment to nurturing the potential of youth around the world.
Mariam Mohammad ALP ’20 Impacts Refugees and Street Children
Mariam Mohammad, a graduate student and Palestinian refugee living in Lebanon, gained the ability to think outside the box through ALP. This drives her success in mentoring youth and impacting the field of public health among low-income communities.
