GEO Bios

 

McKenna Brown- Global Education Office, Executive Director
Dr. Brown teaches all levels of Spanish language courses, including grammar, composition, linguistics, translation, culture and civilization. He also teaches courses in English on Latinos in the U.S. and indigenous literature and movements. He produced an award-winning video on the current Mayan movement and his translation of Mayan poetry was selected as Finalist for the 2002 PEN Literary Award for Poetry in Translation. He is the recipient of numerous Fulbright awards, one of which supported his teaching linguistics at two universities in Guatemala. His research interests include the links between language and identity and the mobilization of those links. To read more, visit http://www.has.vcu.edu/wld/faculty/brown.html

 

 

 

Amanda Davis – Global Education Office, IYLEP Director
I am the VCU IYLEP Director this year, and am excited about introducing you to American, Richmond, and VCU culture. I grew up in Richmond, Virginia but have also lived in and traveled to many countries, including Mexico and Romania. I have a Bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech in International Studies as well as a Master of Public Administration. I love to travel, learn languages, and try new recipes. I’m also a big fan of salsa dancing, teaching English as a Second Language, helping others reach their goals, and having meaningful discussions with friends over a cup of coffee.
Cell Phone: 804-319-9814; Office Phone: 804-828-8792
Email: davisak6@vcu.edu; akdavis01@gmail.com

 

 

 

Jasmine Brink–IYLEP INTERN
I am a VCU undergraduate with my degree in International Relations and Spanish. I grew up in Woodbridge, VA but moved to Richmond to attend VCU. I love learning about cultures and politics, meeting new people, traveling and just learning in general. I am currently working on increasing my fluency in Spanish and Arabic. I enjoy volunteering as a student mentor and ESL teacher. Additionally, I have done volunteer work for Refugee Resettlement in which I worked with helping an Iraqi family who relocated to Richmond. My next step in life is to be a volunteer with the Peace Corps. With this organization I will be an ESL teacher in the region of North Africa/Middle East.
Cell Phone: (804)728-7547 E-mail: brinkjr@vcu.edu

 

 

 

Rehnuma Majid–IYLEP INTERN
I am currently an undergraduate student at VCU, studying both Biology and Global Health. My family and I are from Bangladesh, which is located in South Asia just below Nepal. I was born there, but moved to the United States as an infant and have lived here most of my life. I love traveling and have been to several countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, and China. In my free time I enjoy reading, biking, and painting. I am also a music enthusiast and enjoy listening to a variety of music from around the globe. I also love food with a passion; there really isn’t anything I wouldn’t try at least once! And I love cooking. I cannot wait to meet all of you and look forward to a great summer experience together.
Email: majidr@vcu.edu
Phone number 571-527-9227

 

Brady Rall–IYLEP INTERN
Hello! My name is Brady Rall and I am finishing up my junior year at VCU. My major is International Studies, with a concentration in “Social Relations within International Perspective”. This is an “all-encompassing” degree that includes a broad spectrum of fields like political science, economics, sociology, urban planning, and anthropology. Also while pursuing a minor in Italian and Non-profit management and administration, I am a member of the Honor’s College. The travel bug has infected me in many different ways. I am constantly saving and planning for spontaneous adventures and travel opportunities. I am fascinated by other cultures, other social systems, and places in conflict. I am always looking for new experiences and opportunities to learn more about a certain culture or place. In the future, I hope to work closely with non-profit organizations that aim to bring peace and stability to areas suffering from economic disparity and ethnic strife. I am an avid promoter of diversity and I find great value in understanding different points of view and lifestyles.
E-mail: Rallbt@vcu.edu
Phone number 703-901-1808

Jeff Walton–IYLEP INTERN
I am currently a student at Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond studying to get a Master of Divinity with a biblical studies focus. Currently, my plans after graduation are to enter chaplaincy and be a minister in a local church. What great ways to interact with a variety of different people! My previous education was as an interdisciplinary studies major at Virginia Tech with a religious studies concentration. I am passionate about interfaith and intercultural dialogue and learning. I love the Holy Books study that I am a part of, which is an eclectic mixture of Christians, Muslims, and more who are studying the Bible and the Quran together. I find my most excitement when I am part of a diverse group of people who have intentionally gathered together to communicate, learn about the other, and dream about how we can be agents of change and hope in our communities. I just ran my first half marathon on April 9th and am currently anticipating running a full marathon in November. Running is incredibly addictive! Who knew? If you ask me who my favorite author is, I’ll have to say the first name that comes to mind is Friedrich Nietzsche. Laughing lion, anyone? And, the most important thing, you will be my best friend if you go with me to a Starbucks and have coffee with me.
Jeff’s Email waltonj@vt.edu and Phone number 804-731-5113.

 

Michelle Webb–IYLEP INTERN
I am a senior at VCU pursuing a double major in International Social Justice and Religious Studies. I am currently interning with ConnectRichmond, a non-profit that connects other non-profits locally to information and funding resources. I love my internship as it allows me to learn more about Richmond City and all the great work that is being done to help our community. I was born and raised in a small town in Australia and I moved to the United States about 10 years ago. I still miss home from time to time but I love my life here in America. I love to cook, travel, learn, dance, hang out with my friends and meet new people. I feel extremely lucky to have this opportunity to work with Iraqi Young Leadership Program this upcoming summer. I can’t wait to meet you all and learn about your lives in Iraq.
Email: webbml3@vcu.edu
Phone: 703 395 6523

 

 

Sanjay Iyer–IYLEP INTERN
My name is Sanjay Iyer, and I recently graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a dual-degree in International Relations and Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. I worked with IYLEP 2010 and am excited to be working with the program again this year. Over the past three years I have exhausted the Arabic course work offered at VCU, and even spent a summer at Helwan University in Cairo, Egypt. Alongside my coursework and language education, I worked as a resident assistant in a first-year residence hall and served as a Teaching Assistant for a class about global ethics and world religions. I am a second generation Indian-American, a Tamil-speaker, an Eagle Scout, and am passionately in love with soccer.
Email: iyersr@vcu.edu
Phone :571-214-1837