Growing up in the lively neighborhood of Aya Nagar, Delhi, Mansi Lodhi (India, Northern Virginia Community College – Annandale, Media, 2023-24) has always been surrounded by diversity. Her education started in a co-ed elementary school, followed by a same-gendered community in high school. Despite pursuing a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy […]
read moreCCI Commemorates the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service 2024
Throughout mid-January until mid-February, Community College Initiative (CCI) participants celebrated the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service through community engagement and volunteering. The MLK Day of Service is the only federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service to encourage people to give back through volunteering. The holiday […]
read moreEmpowering Tomorrow: The Inspiring Journey of CCI Alumnus Miguel Romero Rosas
In the realm of transformative experiences, the story of Miguel Romero Rosas (Colombia, Houston Community College, Information Technology, 2017-18) stands as a testament to the power of education, innovation, and global collaboration. Miguel is a software systems engineer and a current Ph.D. candidate from the Department of Computer Engineering at […]
read morePathways to Success Program 2024: The Butterfly Effect – Unpredictable Ripples of Small Actions
In January, the Community College Initiative (CCI) Program reaches its halfway point. Following the conclusion of the fall semester, CCI participants engage in the annual mid-year Pathways to Success Program (PSP). This program is designed to strengthen participants’ skills in leadership, interpersonal skills, analytical reasoning, and introspection. Additionally, the PSP […]
read moreCCI Program Participants Celebrate International Volunteer Day
Across the United States, Community College Initiative (CCI) Program participants embarked on volunteering adventures in celebration of International Volunteer Day. In the spirit of shared experiences and meaningful contributions, the CCI participants exemplified the true essence of International Volunteer Day, proving that warmth can be spread not only through blankets […]
read moreCCI Alumna Harnesses Virtual Reality to Promote Environmental Awareness and Education
CCI Alumna Leticia Lins Silva studied Media at Houston Community College during the 2022-23 program year. Just seven months after returning to Brazil, Leticia is on the verge of completing her associate’s degree in internet systems at the Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Acre (IFAC). Her journey […]
read moreInternational Education Week 2023
From November 13th-17th, Community College Initiative (CCI) Program participants celebrated International Education Week (IEW) 2023, a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education to raise awareness and celebrate the benefits of international education. This year’s theme, “International Education is the Future,” explores the […]
read moreCCI Alumnus Paves the Way for Afro-Colombians
Since completing the CCI Program, Andres David Erazo Paz (Colombia, Houston Community College, Business Administration, 2016-17) has become an advocate for social change in his profession. In July 2022, he began his career as a location analyst for McKinsey & Company, a global management consulting firm headquartered in New York […]
read moreThe 2022-23 Cohort: Where Are They Now?
The 2022-23 CCI cohort returned home just 4 months ago in May 2023. Already, the cohort is making a difference in their communities and working towards achieving their dreams. Continue reading to find out what the cohort has accomplished in only a few months. Adem Bislimi (Kosovo, College of DuPage, […]
read moreCCI Alumnus Moises Gomez Embarks on the Adventure of a Lifetime
On November 20th, 2022, CCI alumnus Moises Gomez (Colombia, Northern Virginia Community College-Annandale, Media, 2016-17) and his wife Victoria began their adventure of traveling the globe and experiencing life to the fullest. For Moises and Victoria, embarking on a gap year was a challenging decision, but their excitement to see […]
read more