Global Leadership Academy (GLA) is designed to provide high school and college age students with an opportunity to combine their career interests with a project to reduce global poverty. GLA is a workforce development internship led by Serve To LEAD and takes place in Asheville, NC and in the Dominican Republic for the 2023-24 school year.
Through this program, students:
- Will participate in activities and trainings that support their career goals
- Gainvaluable intrapersonal and interpersonal communication skills
- Explore global poverty through the lens of the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals
- Receive certifications in leadership, ethics, project management, and in speciality areas related to the student’s career goals.
- Train with professionals to design and lead a project that matches the student’s career interests
- Participate in a 6 month internship with Serve To LEAD that culminates in an international summer service project. Internship schedules are set with students following acceptance into the program. Student led projects must address a global goal. Examples of student projects can be viewed on pages 3 and 4 of this document.
Upon completion of the internship, students will receive a $1000 travel scholarship to be applied to the student’s travel associated with the internship project. Student’s are responsible for personal fundraising to raise additional funds needed for international travel (approximately $700) and for fundraising for all costs associated with their project. Students will be trained in fundraising and given opportunities to achieve this goal through public speaking, letter writing, and social media campaigns.
Interns develop:
- Responsibility, positive thinking, and team building skills
- Networking skills
- Public speaking abilities
- Enhanced career readiness
- Skills in communication, collaboration, and delegation
- Increased sensitivity to the needs of others
- Cultural awareness and a global perspective
- An ability to work through challenges with a resilient and growing mind-set
- Stronger self-esteem and leadership competencies
- A solid moral foundation for ethical decision making
- Real-world experience that strengthens diplomacy and problem solving skills
Interested applicants must meet the following qualifications:
- Be a minimum of 16 years of age
- Be in good academic standing and have a minimum GPA of 3.0
- Provide three references demonstrating maturity, responsibility, and good character
- Participate fully in all Serve To LEAD trainings associated with this internship
- Be in good health and complete a physical from a licensed physician prior to travel
- The ability to obtain a passport for international travel
Application process:
- Interested applicants should email a letter of interest to Jessica Tripp at jtripp@goservetolead.org
- Interest letters should include the following information:
1. Student’s full name, grade, and age
2. A paragraph explaining why the student is interested in the program
3. Any additional information that the student believes is relevant to the selection process
- Following the receipt of the student’s interest letter, a full application will be emailed to the student
- Applicants will be contacted following the receipt of their application. Students who are chosen to move to the next phase of the selection process will be asked to schedule a time to interview before the selection committee.
- Applications to join Serve To LEAD’s Global Leadership Academy are due by midnight on January 1, 2024. No late entries will be accepted.