Dear Friends of SEGL:

On Fall 2012's first day of classes, I peeked inside Mairéad O'Grady's French classroom.  How would our first-year teacher introduce herself to a group of intellectually voracious 16 year-olds?  

The answer: pouring tea, handing out madeleines, and projecting Proust on the board.  I’ve never doubted her since. Whether translating for the Guinean Ambassador, introducing students to African Francophone literature, or inspiring four SEGL in Johannesburg cohorts through a gauntlet of opportunities and challenges, Mairéad personifies SEGL's values.

In this edition of the Current, we announce Mairéad's (planned) departure after a decade at SEGL and three years helming our Johannesburg program. (You can read her letter to our community below.)

We will miss Mairéad very much, and we are also excited to announce Sirianna Santacrose (our current Assistant Director in Johannesburg) as the program's new Director. (More about that in a future Current!) Shizuha Hatori, Mpho Mphahlele, and Keith Mundangepfupfu--each a transcendent teacher-leader--will ensure that SEGL's values continue to inspire young leaders.

We need those inspired young leaders more than ever. Whether they are advocating for justice in Ukraine (read how we are teaching that conflict below), in the United States, or elsewhere in the world, I am proud of the change Mairéad (and all of our teachers, past, present, and future) continue to create.

Sincerely,