News
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.
Aspire Faculty Advisor Patricio del Sol Impressed by Motivation to Learn
Patricio del Sol, professor and consultant on business strategy, shared his awe of the curiosity and eagerness to learn in the virtual Aspire classroom.
Turkish Aspire Leaders Alumni Gather in Istanbul
Nine Turkish alumni gathered in Istanbul with Regional Faculty Advisor, Can Erbil, to share their experiences and takeaways from the Aspire Leaders Program. These alumni feel proud to represent Aspire in Turkey and address community challenges together
Ronaldo Raposo ALP ’21 Gains Confidence in Becoming a Change Agent
Ronaldo Raposo ALP '21, a university student from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil pursuing a degree in international relations with a focus on finance, credits the Aspire Leaders Program as the catalyst for his confidence in leading the change he wants to see in Latin America.
Professor Frances Frei Feels Hopeful About the Next Generation After Interaction with Aspire Leaders
Thought leader on leadership strategy, Frances Frei, delivered a seminar for Aspire leaders on building and rebuilding trust. She left left impressed by the nuanced questions and comments.
Aspire Global Partner: Mittal Institute Hosts Inaugural In-Person Aspire Leaders Alumni Gathering in India
Professor Tarun Khanna hosted Aspire alumni at the Mittal Institute, Harvard University at their New Delhi office. They gathered to discuss how to close the opportunity and education gap among underserved young adults across India to uncover their full potential.
Lebanese and Nigerian Aspire Alumni Receive the Diana Award for Youth Driving Social Change
The Diana Award, given to 9-25 year olds, recognizes that youth have the ability to drive social change around the world. This year, the Aspire Institute proudly congratulates two alumni who have received this honor, Mariam Mohammad from Lebanon and Goodness Odey from Nigeria.
United In Diversity: Southeast Asia Based Educational Organization, Partners With Aspire to Offer Opportunities to Underprivileged Youth
United In Diversity (UID) gathers leaders from diverse sectors to form solutions to challenges across Southeast Asia. With a shared vision for bringing together talented minds to create a better common future, Aspire Institute and UID partner together to raise awareness about opportunities for underprivileged youth to create transformational change in their society
Aspire Leaders Program Faculty Seminar Professor on his Journey and Motivations as a First-Generation College Student
Professor of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Virginia Tech and one of the faculty who will deliver a seminar for the Aspire Leaders Program, Bansal discusses the importance of exploration and lifelong learning.
Alumni Spotlight: Zarek Martínez Learns to Love Learning and Provides Training to the Teachers of the Next Generation in Mexico
Zarek Martínez is a university student from Nuevo León, Mexico and alumnus of the Aspire Leaders Program 2021. After being awarded a Community Action Award grant from Aspire to train public school teachers in relevant digital tools, he feels like anything is possible if he believes in his talent and potential.
Cal Poly’s Don Choi Shares his Reflections on Teaching Low-Income and First-Generation Students
Don Choi, professor of architectural history at Cal Poly and one of the 14 faculty to deliver a faculty seminar for the Aspire Leaders Program Cycle One cohort, explains his drive for teaching and the joy of working with students from diverse backgrounds.
Encouraging Youth in Africa That They are Worth it This Africa Week
The Pan African Women's Business Association, an Aspire partner organization and think tank for economic transformation in Africa, focuses on democratizing access to education and financial participation. Yavi Madurai discusses the crucial role youth in Africa will play in the economy.
Alumni Spotlight: Faith Nchotu Ndinyanka Shares Her Experience as a Female Leader in Cameroon
Faith grew up learning that "the backbone of the Cameroon economy is agriculture." With funding from the Aspire Community Action Award grant, Faith, as a young woman, is spearheading a project that brings experiential learning of agriculture to youth across Cameroon.
Alumni Spotlight: Abdallah Elsheikh Elmagzob
Abdallah is passionate about opening his mind to new cultures and not feeling constrained by his geography. The Aspire Leaders Program allowed him to understand the quality of education he can pursue and the dreams he can achieve. He was recently awarded an Extended Leadership Opportunity grant to pay for an English proficiency exam.
