Hello all -
As of March 18, I will be retiring as Director of the Civic Initiative and I am very happy to announce that Becky Howland, my long-time Civic colleague and dear friend, has accepted the position of director.
Although this is my last, official, message as a director, it will not be the last newsletter I contribute to as I will still be around. I will continue as the academic director for our Study of the United States Institute for Scholars (see below) and will also be very active in development work and all of our other programs. I also hope to continue teaching at the university.
I'm writing this from Germany where I came to help babysit my grandson Yohann and will have a chance to celebrate my retirement with him. This is entirely appropriate as he is a big reason for my decision! At 16 months there is very little retiring about him, but we can still celebrate.
I started the Civic Initiative 21 years ago but it has grown due to the efforts of so many other people that, to thank them in a letter like this, would be an imposition on the reader. I do remember at the beginning having very little idea what I was doing or where Civic was going. As is often the case, many of the best parts of any enterprise develop by accident and in response to real-life issues.
For example, our Civic Mentor program, where we hire students to work with our participants in the summer, started when I asked a few of my students to drive some and help me move luggage. Twenty-one years later we have worked with hundreds of mentors and many of them have found the experience life-changing. They bring the energy and curiosity of young students to the world and add a genuine and lasting exchange component to our programs. The mentor program is only one example of the remarkable community-building effort of the Civic Initiative. We have built an international network of thousands of alumni and we have brought the world to Amherst and UMass. Our speakers, community service partners, homestay families, teachers, and people throughout western Massachusetts have been touched by our international visitors.
Additionally, I think it is wonderful that in Karachi, Pakistan there is a mural painted by UMass and Pakistani students that says "UMass", and in Amherst the Town Trolley was painted with messages from all over Pakistan under the supervision of the same artists who helped with the mural in Karachi.
It has been an honor to have had the chance to meet so many fine people from all over the world and a thrill to be able to travel and see many of them in their home countries. Civic has always made alumni relations a priority and will continue to do so. It is hard to believe that before a trip to Russia, funded by the State Department, I had never been out of North America. Since then, the Civic team has traveled to over 30 countries and we have been able to bring a number of U.S. citizens with us to both share our own culture and ideas as well as learn from others.
I thought for a long time about retirement and whether or not it was the right time. I am still in good health and I love the work. Still, I felt very strongly that new leadership was needed. We have faced many challenges over the years and I am proud of the way we have faced them but, at some point, new energy and ideas -- and to some extent new hope -- need to take charge. When I found myself saying; "Well, we tried that back in 2005 and it didn't work." This might be true enough, and a historical perspective is invaluable, but there comes a time when only those who don't "know" something won't work can make it work.
I'm very excited to be able to focus on summer programs post-retirement, but I am even more gratified that Becky Howland will become the new director (and write the next director's letter). We have worked together for so long and shared all of the challenges and rewards of this work. She has the passion and experience needed to face any future challenge. I look forward to having her as my boss.
My email still works (mthannah@umass.edu) so please stay in touch. I hope to travel over the years and see many of you and continue to explore the mysteries of how people manage to be both different and the same the world over.
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Dr. Mike Hannahan
(Former) Director, Civic Initiative
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Pakistan's ambassador hosted by Civic in Amherst
By invitation of the UMass Civic Initiative, Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States, Masood Khan, touted people-centric ties between the two countries at several events on February 10 in Amherst.
Earlier in the day, the ambassador addressed 50 students at Amherst-Pelham Regional High School to discuss the economic relationship between Pakistan and the U.S. He also spoke to a group of five teachers who previously traveled to Pakistan with the Civic Initiative. His visit was organized by Civic friends Sam Camera, Mick O'Connor and Tom Fricke.
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At an evening campus event, UMass Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy introduced the ambassador to the 100 attendees while highlighting the dozen years of Pakistan exchange programs run by Civic and funded by the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The ambassador further discussed educational ties between the two countries and took many audience questions. New York Consul General Ayesha Ali was also a member of the visiting delegation. Late last year, Civic staff had meetings at the Pakistan embassy in Washington DC and the delegation's visit to Amherst directly stemmed from them.
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Middle East/North Africa entrepreneurship group was the last of a busy 2022
In 2022, as a result of the pandemic "hangover", in November we had the pleasure of hosting a second cohort of entrepreneurially-minded college students from Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia!
The program was funded by the U.S. Department of State and administered by Meridian International. The Study of the U.S. Institute for Student Leaders on Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (EED) provided participants with an overview of entrepreneurial approaches by reviewing the development, history, challenges, and successes of U.S. entrepreneurial enterprises, including social enterprises, business leadership and women’s economic empowerment, in the United States and globally.
The cohort was originally scheduled to come to Amherst for a much longer stay but they were interrupted by the pandemic and thus completed much of their classwork virtually. Their U.S. stay was very busy! For example, their final projects were presented on the trip to New York City, on the moving bus!
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What we're doing for Summer 2023
We have two returning programs and one new one for 2023!
The long-running Study of the U.S. Institutes Comparative Public Policymaking program for Pakistani college students is entering its 13th year with us. We also welcome another cohort of our very fun Entrepreneurship and Economic Development program for college students from Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia. For both of these programs, we are so happy to announce that the homestay program is returning. We'll be placing all of the students form these programs in local homes for overnight stays. Got any suggestions of local families? Email Theresa at twodecki@donahue.umass.edu.
Study of the U.S. Institutes for Scholars (new in 2023) is an intensive academic program whose purpose is to provide foreign university faculty and other professionals the opportunity to deepen their understanding of U.S. society, values, culture, and institutions. The ultimate goal is to strengthen curricula and to improve the quality of teaching about the United States in academic institutions abroad. The Institutes for Scholars will be six weeks including an academic residency UMass and up to two weeks on an educational study tour to a different region in the U.S., including programming in Washington, D.C. This program is similar in scope to our previous program called "APD".
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Middle East/North Africa alumni awarded mini-grants from U.S. embassies
With her award, Habeba Elshimy convened a group of 10 SUSI alumni to blog and post social media content to assist interested students who want to apply for a US Department of State exchange program.
The "SUSI Talks" content was driven by their lived experiences as program applicants and participants. Alumni bloggers hailed from Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria and Pakistan.
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Aloha Camp: Surf for Environmental Change was a three-day surf camp that brought together 20 students from universities, five surf instructors, local environmental activists and associations, and more than +60 volunteers to raise awareness about ocean pollution!
From February 27th to 29th 2023, the coastal city of Essaouira, Morocco witnessed its first-ever open surf camp directed by the SUSI EED alumni Rime Ourhim and co-directed by another alumni, Nicola Aimane Dimarco, with partial funding provided by the U.S Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs via Meridian International Center as the implementing partner, as well as partnerships with other local entities.
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Reminder for "new" Civic Staff email addresses
We still learn that alumni are reaching out using our old email addresses! All of the Civic staff emails underwent a change in 2021. As a reminder, here are our current addresses:
Becky: rhowland@donahue.umass.edu
Mike: mthannah@donahue.umass.edu
Theresa: twodecki@donahue.umass.edu
Arbab: akasi@donahue.umass.edu
Ken: kleblond@donahue.umass.edu
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Alumni Spotlight - Esther Hango
Young African Leaders Initiative - 2022
What have you been up to since the program?
I have been working closely with the U.S. embassy in Namibia and Hilde Amushembe, a 2018 Mandela Washington Fellowship alumni. Hilde and I are about to complete the design of a mobile agribusiness brand ECO-TRAILERS aimed to promote environmental education and sustainability for urban households and small-scale rural farmers. I personally work at an organic nursery in my urban household, producing varieties of organic plants (ornamentals, fruit trees, shade trees seedlings and herbs). We sell plants to generate income and to complete the design of our brand materials as well as a community training center focusing on biodiversity conservation, climate-smart agriculture and renewable energy practices. Our brand slogan is “Toward Building sustainable Cities and Climate Resilient Communities”. I am a also first-year part-time student at Rhodes University, South Africa doing a post-graduate diploma in Sustainability Learning. This study is motivated by initiatives I am involved with as well as many sustainability lessons I learned in the U.S.
What was the most influential experience you had while in the U.S. with the Civic Initiative?
The dining hall! I enjoyed every meal! But, having enough food further gave me new lessons that we need to take care of our people to ensure they are not starving to produce quality jobs. I realize how productive I became as I have to wake up every day knowing there is good food. All I had to worry about is taking care of myself and completing the tasks around me.
What do you miss most about your time in Amherst?
The field excursions. The best ones were the visit to the Food Bank of Western
Massachusetts farm and all the networking events. I enjoyed sharing the work I do and getting advice and new thoughts. I took every opportunity to visit the Saturday Amherst farmers’ market. I learned how farmers are united and working to promote their own work. I wish I could spend more time learning from the farmers but a few hour's visits were worth spending. Thanks to Ken LeBlond and his family for taking us around!
What is one piece of advice you would give to a person chosen to participate in this program?
I would definitely say welcome to a home of learning and professional growth. I realize how I became more professional and learned a lot in just two weeks. There is good support from mentors and all staff members working toward common goals. It’s very rare in our working environments.
What is next on your To-Do List?
- I am busy extending the organic nursery to a plot located 7km away from my town. The aim is to accommodate more sustainable living practices; the production will be based on rainfall and groundwater harvesting, including the production of organic compost and the use of renewable energy to increase nursery productivity.
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When funds allow, we plan to launch our eco-brand in 2023. The first ECO-TRAILER project is 90% complete.
- We are renovating the community Biodiversity Campsite and Multiservice Center. The project was challenged by poor fencing and we experienced loss over the past three years due to animals and theft. I hope with the current efforts the center will be functional by August 2023.
- I am planning to work full-time at the Center starting in October 2023 to allow time for my studies, family and projects. And most of all I need to practice what I teach people. My current job does not allow me to do just that.
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Staff Spotlight - Theresa Wodecki
Financial & Administrative Assistant, Civic Initiative
What have you been up to since the last program left Amherst in 2022?
Since the last program ended in August, I have been busy with my own schooling. I expect to graduate in May. I’ve also been working on building a homestay network and supporting the 2023 programs.
What is your favorite Civic memory?
I can’t pick just one Civic memory. I have enjoyed taking participants on our boat and kayaks. I appreciated the talks with participants and seeing our slice of New England through their eyes.
What do you miss most about Civic during the non-program times?
The participants and the talks we had about all types of topics. The boat rides with the participants. The smiles they have on their faces while driving the boat on the river are priceless. I miss the busy craziness of the summer. This is where our Civic team shines and ensures everyone has a well-rounded experience, along with members and lifelong friendships, during their time here.
What advice would you give a first-time Civic staff on their first day?
Enjoy yourself. The connections you will make with the participants and fellow staff are amazing. You will make friends for life. Also, be engaging, ask questions, and have an open mind to other cultures. The time will fly by fast, and what you learn and the experience will be with you forever.
What is next on your To-Do list?
I plan to finish some home improvements this year and spend my free time with my grandson, Jackson.
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