Editor’s note: This is the first in a five-part series spotlighting ‘s global centers.

Fish and chips. Red double-deckers. A rooftop garden with Thames views. Nash Newton ’27 went to London for a semester abroad and came back with something far harder to fit in a suitcase: a completely new perspective on the world.

Newton, a resident of Portland, Oregon, is a policy studies major in the | with a focus on citizenship and community engagement. He studied abroad for the fall 2025 semester through Syracuse Abroad, and now serves as an Abroad global ambassador.

Newton took classes in marketing, politics and environmental sustainability efforts, among others. Through trips, he performed field studies and explored historic locations throughout the city of London and various parts of the UK such as Liverpool, Cornwall, Lockerbie, Scotland, and Cardiff, Wales.

Syracuse London organized a trip to Lockerbie, the site of the Pan Am 103 bombing in 1988 in which 270 people, including 35 students studying through Syracuse’s Division of International Programs Abroad were lost. He heard personal stories from residents and met this year’s 10 Lockerbie Fellows. The trip also included a visit to Glasgow, where participants attended a play titled “Small Acts of Love,” inspired by the stories surrounding the tragedy and the experiences faced by those after the event.

“Studying abroad at Syracuse truly shifts your perspective,” Newton says. “Embrace both the challenges and positive experiences, as they will create lasting memories and stories—whether you’re exploring solo or traveling with a group, attending classes or navigating an unfamiliar location.”

Here are his recommendations, in his own words, of five things to do to get the most out of your London study abroad experience.

Explore a Museum

“Visiting the V&A East Storehouse Museum was a remarkable experience, as it showcases between 250,000 and 500,000 art pieces spread over three levels. This museum stands out for its unique presentation of many recognizable artworks. Many museums offer character and rare pieces, Additionally, visiting museums is usually free and provides a valuable opportunity to learn about history in an engaging way.

“I also visited the Science Museum, Natural History Museum and the Banksy Limitless Museum, showcasing the artist’s works and their significance in making points about political issues that were present at the time. There’s a course called Who’s Collecting Who that teaches students about object collection, often including weekly museum visits around the city. The London Transport Museum stood out as my favorite. I loved its layout, showcasing the evolution of transport from early vehicles to modern buses, taxis and Tube trains.”

Explore a New City or Town

“Exploring Chester and cities like Liverpool; Brighton; Cardiff, Wales; and Dublin, Ireland, revealed rich history to me. Traveling by train near London offered new opportunities to test my independence and step out of my comfort zone. Charming towns scattered throughout England are just a quick train ride away, each with its own unique character waiting to be discovered. Traveling by train makes the experience more inviting and can connect you to many more places than ever before.

“Participating in field study trips for courses like Sustainability on Trial (GEO 304) and Green Britain (GEO 300) was a transformative experience for me. Those opportunities deepened my understanding of sustainable resources and their potential to reduce carbon footprints. As a policy major, I am uncertain about my career direction after graduation, but I am eager to explore opportunities in this field to see whether they align with my interests. I traveled to Scandinavian countries such as Sweden, Finland and Norway and visited urban planning offices and parliament buildings in Stockholm, Sweden and Ivalo, Finland, among others.”

Find Hidden Spots in London

“The Garden at 120 rooftop offers greenery and views of the River Thames, providing a unique perspective on London. Many rooftop spaces are free, allowing residents and visitors to see the city from different angles. Hidden parks throughout the city offer calm escapes for lunch breaks and people-watching, often just a short walk from central streets like Oxford Circus. I recommend exploring neighborhoods outside central London, such as Shoreditch, Hampstead Heath, Hackney and Greenwich, where locals shop, eat and live.”

Enjoy New Cuisine and Engage in a New Culture

“Explore various markets in the city, including Spitalfields Market in East London, which features two sections: one for clothing, jewelry and local artists, and another food section with numerous vendors offering bakery items and foods representing many different cultures. During my time in London, I indulged in Japanese, Chinese, Ethiopian, Indian and British cuisine, including the traditional full English breakfast.

“On Nov. 5 and throughout the whole week, the main cultural event that happened was a holiday in England called Bonfire night (Guy Fawkes Day). The holiday commemorates a failed mission in 1605 to blow up Parliament. Throughout the week there are fireworks and bonfires in small towns around England and Scotland. There are festivals and fireworks in different parks throughout London.

“Syracuse London offers students cultural opportunities including attending West End shows as well as a Premier League match (West Ham vs. Burnley) and a rugby match. They also organized events like ABBA Voyage, an immersive concert featuring digital versions of the ABBA band. One class allowed us to visit city farms and gardens, such as Kentish Town Farm, which has various animals.”

Take a Unique Course

“Taking courses abroad offers new insights. Green Britain included field studies, as we examined how Earth-life system processes shaped Britain’s environmental resources and the impact of political devolution on human interactions with these resources. The course involved ecological investigations of arable land, fossil fuels and marine habitats, as well as policy analysis. It also fostered connections with classmates and the professor, providing a richer experience than traditional lectures. Such trips uniquely address unspoken questions and deepen understanding through direct engagement with the environment.

“The Syracuse London Center campus is centrally located for commuting. The student well-being staff provided valuable recommendations, particularly during fall breaks. They organized two weekend trips for fall 2025, one to Dublin and another to Paris. I chose Dublin, where we visited the Guinness Storehouse, Trinity College and Howth Bay, fostering connections with fellow students and staff. Though locations change each semester, they remain rewarding to visit as a group.”

Check Out More of Newton’s Photos Below

The first round of France’s 2026 mayoral elections sent a clear message: the French left holds a plurality—but voters aren’t ready for radical change.

With alliances forming ahead of the March 22 runoff and the 2027 French presidential election on the horizon, John Goodman, assistant professor of political science by courtesy appointment and director of ������ Strasbourg, breaks down what the results mean for France’s political future.

To request an interview, contact Vanessa Marquette, media relations specialist, at vrmarque@syr.edu.

Expert Analysis: France’s Political Mood Heading Into the Runoff

Goodman writes:

“After a lot of handwringing about a far-right takeover in France, the first round of the mayoral elections produced a clear signal of the country’s mood: The left side of the political spectrum holds a plurality of French votes, just as it has in the recent national elections.

“In every major French city—Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux, Strasbourg, Nantes and Rennes—the Socialists, Greens or a coalition of the two came in first in Sunday’s elections. That said, to win in the second round they will need votes from either the far-left French Unbowed party (La France Insoumise), whether through a formal coalition or simply by letting those voters ‘vote their consciences.’ Many Socialists and Greens—like the mayoral candidates in Paris and Marseille—have rejected outright alliances with the far-left. Meanwhile, the far-right National Rally (RN) party, which came in second in many places, is calling on center-right parties to form a coalition under the RN banner in the second round.

“What’s the conclusion? One year out from the presidential election, and pending the second round of mayoral elections, it seems France is in a left-leaning mood—but not one in favor of radical change either for the far-right or the far-left.”

The role of entrepreneurship driving economic development in Kenya. Education systems and the propaganda machines behind them in Eastern European socialist states. The preservation of Polish castles and their use for telling the country’s history.

Those are just three of the independent research projects seven Syracuse students pursued internationally last year as Tyler Center Fellows, supported by a��$20,000 grant to and the (SOURCE) by the .

For the students who participated, it was a life-changing experience.

“This fellowship changed who I am,” says Mason Burley ’27, a double major in adolescent education and history in the School of Education and the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.

The University has once again received an award from the Tyler Center for 2026 and is currently accepting applications for fall 2026 fellowships based in Santiago and Strasbourg. Below, three students who received the fellowship in 2025 share their experiences.

‘Research Something You Love’

Burley, whose research project was focused on the education systems during the era of socialist republics in Poland, Romania and Moldova, says the Tyler Center Fellowship was his first substantial experience with research.

“I am fascinated by Joseph Stalin and his cult of personality and, more specifically, how his sheer influence on the region consumed every single aspect of life,” Burley says. “From school, jobs, social life, government and interpersonal connections. Stalin was lurking in all of these, and it has been a goal of mine to see its effects firsthand.”

The Tyler Center grant and research opportunity opened the gates for him to study the topic in-depth and in-person.

“It is my academic goal to be a well-rounded educator who is exceptionally knowledgeable in my content area,” he says. “I felt that this type of deep immersive, experiential type of research would benefit not only me academically but my students in my future classroom.”

The experience made Burley fall in love with research and “experiencing” history, and has since inspired two additional research projects.

He says visiting Poland, Romania and Moldova, speaking with people and learning their stories was an experience he’d repeat in a “heartbeat.”

“Do whatever your heart says,” Burley says. “Go to a new place and touch the earth. Eat food from a street cart. Put everything that you’ve ever learned away for a second and just experience life as it passes by. Be you, unapologetically. Then come back to campus and show everyone just how cool it is that you got to research something you love.”

‘Be Creative’

For Ella Roerden ’27, the fellowship also allowed the pursuit of a passion project.

A student in the Maxwell School studying anthropology and international relations, Roerden visited five medieval castles around Poland with the goal of analyzing and comparing how they’ve been preserved and restored, as well as how they’re being used as museums in the present day.

“The narratives all differ, and they each tell a different part of the story of Poland,” says Roerden. “I was drawn to castles because of my childhood love of fairytales, all of the magic, dragons and princesses. When I learned that Poland had over 500 castles, I knew I had to find a way to visit some and incorporate them into my studies.”

Like Burley, she says the experience opened her eyes to research, which previously she thought had to be “formulaic and physical.” Gaining the experience of pursuing a topic in the humanities has her looking forward to an international relations capstone.

“If you’re already going to be in a different country, take advantage of the opportunities and resources there that we don’t have here in Syracuse (like medieval castles) and be creative!” Roerden says.

‘Put in All Your Effort’

Mary Begley ’26, a Whitman School finance and entrepreneurship major graduating in December, traveled to Kenya in May 2025 with a professor and fellow students, supported by her grant.

“I had the opportunity to immerse myself in a new culture and experience how businesses operate within an emerging economy,” she says. “Because of this opportunity, I decided to conduct independent research where I spoke one-on-one with small business owners to learn about their experiences running a business in Kenya.”

The best part, she says, was speaking with entrepreneurs and learning about their work, their passions and the challenges they face as business owners.

She encourages other students to consider the Tyler grants.

“Put in all your effort,” she says. “For me, I was very new to research and had no idea how to conduct it at first. But having the right people around you and consistently asking questions or seeking feedback really helped me throughout the process.”

How to Apply

Fall 2026 Tyler Fellows—supported by awards up to $3,000—will design projects in Santiago or Strasbourg with guidance from a home campus faculty mentor, as well as Syracuse Abroad and SOURCE staff. Students must first be accepted into one of those programs.

As part of the fellowship, they will take a “Research in Community” seminar and participate in cohort activities with Tyler Fellows from other institutions.

“The Tyler Center for Global Studies Fellowship not only provides essential funding to support students’ international undergraduate research activities but also facilitates a community of scholars engaging with cross-cultural research both here at ������ and in the larger, multi-institution Tyler Center program,” says Kate Hanson, director of SOURCE. “Students navigate the complexities of research with another culture alongside fellow students and mentors in a program that facilitates discussion and reflection.”

Interested students should first email ugresearch@syr.edu to express their interest in the Tyler Fellows Program and then prepare a project proposal and apply through .��Applications are due by April 2 or July 9.

An information session for interested students will be held Thursday, March 19, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. on the sixth floor of 100 Sims Drive.

SOURCE can also help students develop research ideas, find faculty mentors and prepare application materials. Contact the SOURCE team at ugresearch@syr.edu or 315.443.2091.

In a world increasingly shaped by both connection and division, a diverse group of students is embarking on a distinctive journey of leadership and learning. The Global Interfaith Leadership Project (GILP), housed at Hendricks Chapel, represents a pioneering approach to preparing tomorrow’s leaders by combining religious and spiritual formation with practical civic engagement.

The program’s inaugural cohort, selected from across the University’s schools and colleges, brings together undergraduate and graduate students from varied faith traditions and backgrounds. From a Somali Banti student working to address food insecurity, to a chemical engineer coordinating interfaith dialogue, to a public administration student with White House experience, these scholars represent the rich tapestry of perspectives that GILP seeks to cultivate.

A Distinctive Approach to Leadership

What sets GILP apart is its “Roots, Reach and Results” framework—a holistic approach that moves beyond traditional interfaith dialogue. The program deepens students’ own religious or spiritual foundations (Roots), expands understanding and collaboration across traditions (Reach) and works to create tangible positive change in communities (Results).

“This project addresses a crucial need we’re seeing among students today,” explains Imam Amir Durić, GILP project director and assistant dean for religious and spiritual life at Hendricks Chapel. “Students are seeking meaningful opportunities to make a positive and profound impact. At the same time, we’ve witnessed a 150% increase in student participation in religious and spiritual programs at Hendricks Chapel over the past eight years. GILP brings these two trends together in a way that prepares leaders who can heal divides, imagine new possibilities and empower others in service to the common good.”

Diverse Backgrounds, Shared Commitment

The 2026 cohort members come from nine schools and colleges across the University and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, spanning architecture, engineering, public policy and environmental science. Their varied academic pursuits reflect the program’s commitment to interfaith leadership across all disciplines.

Among the cohort is Abdirahman Abdi, a senior majoring in African American Studies from the South Side of Syracuse. Drawing on his lived experience as a refugee, he co-founded the Sadaqa Foundation to address food insecurity in Kenya’s Dagahaley Refugee Camp—exemplifying the program’s emphasis on translating spiritual values into concrete community action.

Ronit Hizgiaev, a sophomore in the Maxwell School studying international relations and law, society and policy, brings her experience as multifaith chair for Syracuse Hillel. She has been instrumental in the Salaam Shalom program, where students learn Hebrew and Arabic to find common ground through language. “Ensuring everyone’s voices are heard and accounted for is a crucial value I hold,” she says.

Mian Hamid, a graduate student in the iSchool, serves as Hendricks Chapel’s interfaith engagement coordinator and convener of the Student Assembly of Interfaith Leaders. His role bridges the program’s academic learning with hands-on leadership development, rooted in both empathy and shared action for the common good.

Graduate student Gianna Juarez, pursuing a master of public administration in the Maxwell School, previously served in the Biden-Harris Administration and at United Way Worldwide. Her background in strategic implementation adds depth to discussions about translating interfaith values into policy and practice.

Beyond Dialogue: A Comprehensive Learning Experience

Scholars participate in weekly interactive sessions, civic projects and visits to local and regional faith communities. The program culminates in an international study journey and participation in the Interfaith America Leadership Summit.

The planned trip to Germany and Bosnia-Herzegovina will offer particularly powerful learning opportunities. Students will examine Holocaust memory in Germany and the aftermath of the Bosnian War and Srebrenica Genocide. In Sarajevo—often called the “European Jerusalem”—they will explore centuries of interfaith coexistence at the crossroads of East and West, examining how religious and moral frameworks shape both the best and worst outcomes of human history.

A Tapestry of Faith and Purpose

The cohort spans a wide spectrum of religious and spiritual identities. Sandy Smith, studying forest ecosystem science at SUNY-ESF, brings a spirituality rooted in nature. “Nature teaches us that diversity is our greatest strength,” she notes, “and I believe that through interfaith collaboration, we will bring humanity to its greatest potential.”

Each of the 16 scholars is also developing a civic engagement project aimed at creating lasting change in the Syracuse community and beyond—all grounded in the Roots, Reach and Results framework.

The GILP is a timely response to the challenges of our interconnected yet divided world. These scholars aren’t just learning about interfaith leadership—they are living it, demonstrating that differences can be sources of strength and that a shared commitment to the common good can overcome division.

For more information about GILP at Hendricks Chapel, visit the .

Students at the Syracuse Strasbourg Center recently met with the European Ombudsman Teresa Anjinho, who shared insights into her professional path and experiences as an ombudswoman. The event was part of the center’s European politics speaker series held throughout the month of February.

In addition to the ombudsman, a recent session was held at the European Parliament with European Member of Parliament Dario Nardella (Italy), who was also the Commencement speaker at Syracuse in 2024.

As the European Union Ombudswoman, Anjinho is responsible for investigating cases of maladministration within institutions, bodies, offices and agencies of the European Union. These issues involve matters related to transparency, delays in access to documents or the management of funds. She described herself as a public servant, bridging European citizens and EU policy-making bodies through building trust and legitimacy.

Cultivating relationships and driving inspiration

������’s presence in Strasbourg, France, since 1974 means that it benefits from official relationships with local institutions, including the European Parliament and the European Court of Human Rights, opening unique doors for students.

Through the diplomatic network of Center Director John Goodman and Syracuse professor Alun Drake, it was clear that the ombudswoman would be a dynamic speaker and great role model for Syracuse students. Anjinho presented to over 60 students at the Strasbourg villa, focusing on topics relating to courses Mapping Strasbourg, a core course on Strasbourg and life abroad, and The Global Workplace, concentrating on internships, careers and pre-professional development.

During her presentation, the ombudsman emphasized the importance of ensuring that European citizens feel heard by public institutions. She explained that trust in these institutions depends on people believing their concerns are taken seriously and that there is an independent body advocating for fairness and transparency. Drawing on her experience as a public servant, she highlighted her understanding of the challenges citizens face when engaging with institutions.

This perspective, she noted, helps make the ombudsman’s office more accessible and inclusive, ensuring that all individuals feel represented and supported.

“What I found particularly interesting was her perspective on democratic deficit—how many citizens feel departed from the institutions and decision-making processes that govern them. It put into words some of what I have been sensing in the political landscape over the past few years,” says Neha Chhablani ’27, a student in attendance studying political science and environment, sustainability and policy.

Chhablani says seeing roles like Anjinho’s focused on rebuilding public trust in government makes her feel “hopeful about the future.”

Anjinho also shared her personal journey to becoming an ombudswoman. Previously, she worked in academia, government and served as Portugal’s deputy ombudsperson and secretary of state for justice, ultimately running for and being elected European ombudsman.

She reflected on the obstacles she faced as a woman in public service and diplomacy and spoke about having moments of doubt or feeling unrecognized for her hard work. Despite these challenges, her dedication and sense of purpose carried her to the role she holds today.

Anjinho encouraged students to keep pursuing their goals, even amid struggle or rapid changes in the political landscape.

“As a student with an interest in diplomacy, I found her speech to be very inspiring, and I know the other students in the room found her just as moving,” says international relations student Mariana Luz ’27. “I left her speech feeling a sense of relief and have a new perspective on what’s to come in the future!”

About Teresa Anjinho��

Anjinho was sworn in as the European ombudsman in February 2025 and acts as the bridge that connects the European citizens to the bodies that make policy for Europe.

From 2022 to 2025, she was a member of the supervisory committee of the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF). Prior to that, she was a member for the deputy ombudsman of Portugal (2017-2022), secretary of state for justice in the Portuguese government (2015) and member of Parliament in Portugal (2011-2015).

Anjinho is a lawyer, an independent human rights expert and a scholar who specializes in public international law, gender and equality. She has been teaching at the NOVA School of Law and at the Lus Gentium Conimbrigae Institute of the University of Coimbra. She has also published a number of scientific papers.

When Jean-Laurent Lareyre was paired with a Syracuse student for an engineering class assignment in 2023, he had no idea where that connection would lead.

The project at Institut National des Sciences Appliquées (INSA) in Strasbourg, France, sparked something unexpected: a passion for helping American students navigate life abroad.

Since that initial pairing, Lareyre—who goes by JoJo—has become an invaluable guide and friend to more than sixty (ECS) students studying in France.

What began as tutoring in physics and electrical engineering classes has evolved into something far richer. Lareyre now helps students explore Strasbourg and the surrounding Alsace region, introducing them to hidden gems and local experiences they might otherwise miss.

“They are curious and want to experience life in Strasbourg,” says Lareyre. “I love when they invite me along. I want them to discover every part of student life at INSA and in Strasbourg.”

Lareyre’s own international background makes him a natural cultural bridge. Originally from Mauritius in East Africa, he also lived in China as a child and now speaks Chinese, French-Creole, German and English fluently.

“For me, it’s important to communicate with everyone,” he says. “We’re all engineers. We have the same skills, so we relate to each other well.”

His adventures with Syracuse students and staff have included mountain hiking trips. He understands their desire to make the most of studying abroad—it mirrors his own journey.

“I wanted to go abroad. I didn’t see myself always staying in the same country,” Lareyre says. “My parents traveled a lot, and I want to be like them.”

“JoJo has been a tutor, mentor and friend to years of Syracuse and ECS students studying abroad. He has been a wonderful role model—a high-achieving engineering student with an international perspective and a warm, engaging and fun personality. We’ve adopted him as fully�� Syracuse,” says John Goodman, the director of the .

Now balancing graduate studies at INSA with an engineering position at a pharmaceutical company in Strasbourg, Lareyre isn’t certain where his career will take him next. But he hopes the connections he’s made will come full circle.

“It would be so much fun to reconnect with students I met in Strasbourg when I’m in the United States,” he says. “Maybe someday they’ll be my guides.”

Six more students are taking their interest in social justice to the Southern Hemisphere as in a unique study abroad opportunity that furthers their research skills and broadens their knowledge of an important period in Chilean history.

The students, based at the Syracuse Abroad center in Santiago, are continuing work initiated by two previous student fellows last fall. They are exploring the human rights violations of the Pinochet dictatorship in that country and contributing to work that is underway at the Museum of Memory and Human Rights in documenting the stories of victims and creating biographical profiles in their memory. During Pinochet’s 17-year reign, more than 3,000 people died or disappeared, 200,000 suffered exile and over 30,000 were tortured.

The fellows are working with Mauricio Paredes, director of the Santiago center, ��a scholar on Chilean internment camps, nationalism and U.S. involvement in Chilean politics, and are learning skills with the museum’s archivist and collections manager. The fellows are:

• Madiou Bah ’27, economics () and broadcast and digital journalism (); the media’s role in generating support for the regime.
• Jherlyn Brady ’27, communication and rhetorical studies (); the dictatorship’s impact on education and how institutional reforms, including both explicit and hidden curriculums, were used to implement social control.
• Grant Montonye ’28, international relations (Maxwell School); how the country’s legal system and constitution were used to install and validate authoritarianism.
• Sophia Ortiz-Heaney ’27, economics and international relations (Maxwell School); the dictatorship’s impact on the labor force and unions; forced relocation cases; the neoliberal narrative of individual success.
• Mason Rosenbaum ’27, international relations (Maxwell School); state repression and power and the perception of citizens as threats to the government, with historical comparisons to the current government and police.
• Laila Terrell ’27, international relations (Maxwell School); gender-based violence against conservative and far-right women from a historical perspective, and how gender may be seen as a threat to authoritarian control.

The second group of global fellows broadens the project’s scope while providing unique research opportunities specifically aligned to students’ interests in an abroad setting, says Kendall Phillips, director of the Lender Center for Social Justice. “There is such a deep and complex legacy to the dictatorship [period] in Chile that we wanted to engage a wide interdisciplinary perspective.”

The fellows will present their research findings at a symposium held at the museum on Tuesday, May 5, in concert with a planned discussion led by ������ Artist In Residence . Weems will discuss her work around monuments and “Contested Sites of Memory” in relation to the projects of the Lender Global Fellows.

Fall Fellows’ Experiences

Ayanna (AJ) Hyatte G ’25 and Ohemaa Asibuo ’27, who were Lender Global Student Fellows in Santiago last fall, ��say their experiences in Santiago and working at the museum provided sobering but valuable knowledge that has informed their views of social justice and impacted their plans for international relations careers. They studied with Paredes and worked with Museum of Memory archivist Rodolfo Ibarra and collections manager Maria Luisa Ortiz.

Hyatte analyzed the museum’s database for victims not involved in the left-wing politics that typically made people targets of the dictatorship. Those individuals “exemplified how the loss of the rule of law affects everyone,” Hyatte says. “Most of our host families and professors had their own firsthand or familial experiences with [the dictatorship] and provided testimonials and that definitely changed how I engaged with the subject … [and] permanently changed how I view historical events.” Hyatte completed a master’s degree in international relations and is pursuing public policy career options and doctoral programs.

Asibuo, a junior dual major in international relations and Spanish, scoured victim databases to identify how various social groups were affected and categorized them by their ages, jobs and how they died.

“It was pretty heavy to deal with, especially when I came to people who were [my age] or even younger. I motivated myself by remembering that the goal was to spread the victims’ names, not let them be forgotten, and to use commemorative education to prevent these types of things from occurring again. Now, I hope to continue to advocate for using past historical events as warnings to help us navigate how we approach our futures,” she says.

Paredes says the impact of the students’ work is clear. “Without a doubt, this research will help Chilean society understand how the loss of democracy and the rule of law affect everyone equally, regardless of political preferences,” he says.

In soccer, build-up play is when a team uses short passes to move the ball from the defensive third into the attacking half.

In many ways, the groundbreaking relationship between the sport analytics program in the Falk College of Sport and the in Oldham, Greater Manchester, England, has been a build-up play that’s resulting in unique “scoring opportunities” for sport analytics students and Oldham Athletic.

About four years ago,��Sport Analytics Professor met at a sports analytics conference in Spain. Reade is a professor of economics at the University of Reading in Reading, Berkshire, England, and a diehard Oldham fan.

Last year, when Sanders was working with Falk College student Ava Uribe and Associate Sport Analytics Professor on soccer-related research, he reached out to Reade for help with collecting data and ideas on how best to mine that data for actionable insights. With Uribe, a member of the women’s soccer team, as lead author, the research was selected among thousands of entrants as one of seven finalists in the research paper competition at the prestigious MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference in Boston.

In advance of the conference, Reade visited Falk College and was amazed to learn of the work being done by sport analytics students with Syracuse Athletics and professional teams and leagues around the world.

Darren Royle, the CEO of Oldham Athletic who has a background in sport analytics, created an Academic Advisory Board that includes out-of-the-box thinkers and passionate football fans like Reade (Oldham is the only professional club in England with such a board). Reade passed the idea of working with the University to Royle, who says there was a “keen appetite on both sides” to create an innovative partnership by sharing knowledge and providing opportunities for sport analytics students to work with Oldham.

“What we found was a real pool of talent and a high level of skill by the students with what they’ve done so far,” Royle says. “They’ve been very diligent around this, and their work already has fed into our (player) recruitment process.”

The build-up play of the partnership progressed in early December at the second hosted by Oldham in conjunction with the University and the University of Reading. Professor , chair of the Department of Sport Analytics, sport analytics graduate ’23, and Falk Director of Corporate Partnerships and External Engagement have been involved with the relationship from the start and played key roles in the conference.

“This was a rare opportunity to work with a club that combines deep tradition with a genuine commitment to innovation and education,” Paul says. “Oldham’s history gives the partnership immediate credibility, but what truly stood out was how deeply Darren and James care about education at every level, from young children to adults engaged in lifelong learning.”

“Their initiatives in Manchester have the potential to be transformative for the local community, and it was important to me that Syracuse and Falk College sport analytics be part of something that connects football, education, and social impact in such a meaningful way,” Paul says.

High-Level Insights

Starting in June, 15 sport analytics students embarked on a series of data analysis projects aimed at helping Oldham identify a player’s style of play, strengths and weaknesses, mindset and character (for example, how the player responds after a difficult match, proneness to injuries and salary expectations).

“Some of the work the students have been doing is novel; certainly, it hasn’t been done before in our league,” Royle says. “It has fitted as an extra resource for us since we had just got promoted back to the EFL and we didn’t have the structures and staffing in place that a team in the EFL might normally have.”

To oversee the students’ work, Riverso enlisted the help of Freson, a former senior data analyst for Oldham who is now an assistant data scientist for the Blackburn Rovers Football Club in Blackburn, Lancashire, England, and a data analyst for the Estonian Football Association. As a student in Falk College, Freson was the lead data analyst for the 2022 ������ men’s soccer team that won the NCAA Division I national championship.

“James (Reade) and I created open-ended projects based on the needs of the club, and delegated groups of students to work on each project,” Freson says. “That allowed them to deliver high-level insights while developing their own skills and learning how to cater the end product to the end user.”

“Hopefully one day I’ll be working in a front office or with the analytics’ staff for a top club like Tottenham and this internship has greatly helped me prepare for that,” says sport analytics major Gavin Anderson ’28. “It has offered me invaluable insight into the day-to-day operations of a club and what teams value in players and potential targets.”

Paul says perhaps the biggest benefit for the students is that they’re operating at a truly professional level in terms of expectations and impact as they’re working with real data, real constraints and real decision-making timelines.

“While we have strong partnerships elsewhere, the scope and continuity of the work with Oldham is unique; students are not just completing stand-alone projects, but contributing to an ongoing analytics and strategy process,” Paul says. “That level of immersion accelerates learning, builds confidence, and prepares students to operate in global sport environments in ways that are difficult to replicate in a classroom alone.”

‘We See The Synergies’

The Football Analytics Conference in December provided an opportunity for the Syracuse contingent and Oldham officials to discuss short- and long-term opportunities.

“I see this developing as a long-term partnership that allows ������ students to gain invaluable professional experience while also allowing Oldham to conduct analysis way beyond their means otherwise,” Freson says.

“You guys are unique because of your founder (Paul) and your model for students,” Royle says. “We really like the thinking around it. So we’ve kind of mapped ourselves to your culture, philosophy, and strategy and we see all the synergies.”

The historic Villa Rossa has welcomed generations of University students to Florence—and a recent renovation has made it even more inviting.

University staff and Italian officials gathered Jan. 19 to inaugurate a new accessible entrance to Villa Rossa, the home of the , at the Piazza Savonarola campus.

The entryway—made possible as part of a $10 million gift by alumnus Daniel D’Aniello ’68, H’20 and his wife, Gayle, in 2022—sits level with the sidewalk and offers more space and improved lighting to community members going in and out of the building.

Originally, visitors to the villa needed to climb two steps to enter the building through a small door. The renovation relocated the main entrance to a larger carriage door that originally provided access to the villa’s garden.

The change eliminates barriers for people with mobility impairments and offers improvements to security and operations, says Sasha Perugini, director of the Florence program.

“This renovation honors Villa Rossa’s heritage while meeting the needs of our community today,” Perugini says. “As Syracuse Florence’s home since 1959, this building serves approximately 350 people daily. The new entrance reflects our commitment to preserving the beauty and history of this space, while ensuring it is accessible, welcoming and safe for everyone who enters.”

In addition to the redesign of the main entrance, the gift made by the D’Aniellos allowed for the renovation of the welcome and front desk area and the overhaul of the building’s cafeteria, which previously had stairs at its entrance. The eating area is now directly accessible from the main entrance.

Daniel D’Aniello’s ties to Florence and the University’s campus there go back decades. He studied abroad in the city in the fall of 1966 and became one of the who worked to save Florence’s artistic and cultural heritage after a devastating flood.

He was given the Keys to the City in 2023 in recognition of his actions, and the University’s Florence program has been named for the D’Aniellos since 2022, in honor of the transformational nature of the gift to expand opportunities for students, attract exceptional faculty and improve the program’s facilities.

Perugini says D’Aniello embodies what ������ Florence believes in: study abroad creates authentic, meaningful bonds that endure across decades, enriching both students and the communities that host them.

“Our relationship with the local community has always been central to our mission,” Perugini says. “We created the Gigliucci Archive, named after the family who owned the villa and first welcomed ������, to preserve this shared history. This renovation represents another chapter in the continuing story of both the building and Florence’s evolving landscape. We express our deep gratitude to Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello.”

The inauguration of the new entrance on Jan. 19 was attended by Florence officials, including Dario Danti, city councilor for universities and research; Bernard Dika, undersecretary to the president of the Tuscany Region; and Michele Pierguidi, president of the city’s District 2.

Danti reflected on the longstanding relationship between the city and the University, calling the school an “authoritative presence” in the community.

“Over all these years, the Florentine campus has grown and evolved while maintaining the same objectives as its beginnings: the deepening understanding by its students of Italian art and society and the creation of a solid intercultural relationship with the city that hosts it,” he said. “We are certain that in the coming years ������ in Florence will continue to be a cultural bridge between two worlds through the exchange of stories, ideas and visions.”

Dario Nardella, a member of the European Parliament who was the mayor of Florence when D’Aniello was given the keys to the city, said in a statement he was delighted to see the project completed. He lauded D’Aniello’s contributions to the city both as a student responding to the 1966 floods and more recently, with his support for the University’s Florence program.

“Now as then, a love story repeats itself between Syracuse and Florence, between D’Aniello and our community,” Nardella said. “A story that will remain forever in the memory of future generations of Syracuse students and Florentines.”

������ Florence is organizing its for November, when the city will be hosting commemorative events marking the 60th anniversary of the floods.

Mauricio Paredes has a weekend ritual with his family: visiting a different museum in Santiago every week. As director of ������’s Santiago center, he’s on a mission to share that same cultural enthusiasm with students.

“There’s something for everybody looking to enjoy a cultural and transformative study abroad experience in Santiago,” Paredes says. “For any students considering a study abroad, I encourage you to take advantage of the cultural advantages of Santiago.”

Those advantages are considerable. Culture permeates every corner of Chile’s capital city, extending far beyond vibrant concert halls and historic art museums into the streets, parks and natural landscape.

For Paredes, live music tops his list of favorite cultural activities. An electric guitar player himself, he sometimes performs for students or brings his traveling guitar on bus trips.

“We have these concert halls called Sala SCD, which feature popular Chilean bands and musicians,” he says. “These halls have become so important for our vibrant local music scene.”

That music scene became even more accessible to Syracuse students. Earlier this month, a group from the in the (VPA) spent one week learning from and playing alongside students at the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile as part of a new study abroad in music experience. It’s the first time this hands-on training opportunity has been offered to music students, reflecting Syracuse Abroad’s and VPA’s commitment to a strong cultural and arts-centered .

Access to World-Class Arts

The arts are vibrant in Santiago, which serves as Chile’s cultural epicenter. Forty percent of Chile’s population lives in the city, and the main universities are located there.

“Every single important cultural and artistic event happens here,” Paredes says. “A few months ago, one of our partners, the Universidad de Chile, opened a top-notch music hall with impressive acoustics. Our students have access to those world-class concerts.”

Street art flourishes throughout the city. Students interact with street artists as they walk, and parks increasingly integrate art into their walking paths. The bohemian Barrio Bellavista neighborhood serves as the city’s cultural heart, filled with colorful street art, galleries, theaters and restaurants. Among the highlights is La Chascona, poet Pablo Neruda’s former home, now a museum displaying his eccentric collections.

Art museums abound. The Museo de la Memoria y los Derechos Humanos examines Chile’s history under Pinochet’s dictatorship, while the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes showcases Chilean and Latin American art.

“We have everything from 19th century art to modern art,” Paredes says.

Nature as Part of the Culture

Chile’s remarkable natural diversity is inseparable from its cultural identity, and Santiago offers students ideal access to explore it.

“Santiago is a city that is close to nature, and the nature in Chile is amazing,” Paredes says. “You can find every single type of geographic formation from around the world here.”

Students can access the nearby Andes Mountains and Pacific coast, with stunning city views from atop Cerro San Cristóbal. Organized trips allow students to tour Patagonia’s picturesque glaciers, untouched forests and pristine rivers.

“Traveling from the northern tip to the southern part of Chile by Santiago, you go through different climates and different types of geography, from glaciers and mountains to deserts and lakes,” Paredes says. “This fascinating geography is a strong part of our culture, and we introduce our students to this topic through our comprehensive seminar and by traveling to different parts of the country.”

Architecture as Art

Chile’s architecture itself is considered an art form. The historic city center boasts the Plaza de Armas, the city’s main square since colonial times, flanked by the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Central Post Office. Nearby, La Moneda Palace serves as both the presidential palace and a beautiful neoclassical landmark.

Students interested in studying abroad in Santiago during the Fall 2026 semester should by Sunday, March 15.

European leaders, academics and youth representatives gathered in Strasbourg, France, on Nov. 26 and 27 for the inaugural Europa Power meetings, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at debating, and laying out plans for, building a “Superpower Europe.”

������ participated in the meetings and was the only U.S. institution present, alongside the U.S. Consul-General . In conjunction with the French Representative to the Council of Europe, Pap Ndiaye, the Maxwell School and ������ Strasbourg were among the early advocates for a major international conference in Strasbourg. John Goodman, Director of Syracuse Strasbourg, served on the steering committee of the Europa event.

The summit tackled questions about Europe’s future, including proposals for an all-Europe stock market, a pan-European military force, and the creation of transferrable pension systems across member states. Participants also debated strategies to mobilize over 35 trillion euros in citizens’ savings for investment in artificial intelligence, emerging technologies and job creation.

Additional discussions focused on enhancing educational funding and social programs to target misinformation and inequality, issues organizers identified as critical threats to democratic institutions. Day one convened at the historic Palais Universitaire of the University of Strasbourg, while day two took place at the European Parliament. The first vice president of the Parliament, ��of Germany,��delivered remarks to participants.

Syracuse Orange in Action

Among the student participants at the Europa conference was Brandon Tamez�� ’26, a Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs/College of Arts and Sciences student majoring in political science and digital humanities and currently studying at .

Thanks to the University’s special partnership with the Council of Europe, Tamez already had the opportunity to intern in the Council’s Digital Development Unit, exploring a variety of policy issues related to technology. “My goal is to understand how our governments can prioritize human rights when regulating AI,” says Tamez. “I believe our laws and regulations deserve as much innovation as our technologies.”

Alongside his internship at the�� Council of Europe, Tamez also participated in the Europa meetings. Tamez took part in a youth panel featuring Mariya Gabriel of Bulgaria, former European Union Commissioner for Research, Culture, Innovation and Youth;�� and Nicolas Schmit of Luxembourg, former European Union Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights.The panel brought together students from Italy and France, with Tamez serving as the sole American representative.

During the session, Tamez posed a question examining the divergent approaches to artificial intelligence regulation and development between Europe and the United States, a topic of increasing geopolitical significance.�� “Conversations about AI’s future often center on innovation and the race to develop the fastest, most capable model. However, I believe conversations about our governments’ role in AI regulation are equally important,” Tamez says. “This event brought me closer to these discussions, allowing me to hear European perspectives and share my own as an American.”

Tamez’s participation was particularly notable given the presence of ������ officials in attendance, including David Van Slyke, dean of the Maxwell School, and Seth Jolly, associate professor and chair of the political science, both of whom traveled to Strasbourg for the historic gathering.

“Europe’s current and future role in global economics and geopolitics is a critically important topic for the world and for the United States,” says Van Slyke. “The Maxwell School is honored to be a part of this gathering and these discussions, and I am proud that our students and scholars have the opportunity to contribute.”

The Europa Power initiative��represents��a significant moment in discussions��about the��future of Europe, as the continent��seeks��to define its role amid shifting global power dynamics.

Representation From Around the Globe

Conducted primarily in English, the summit also featured prominent political figures including Verheyen and former Italian Prime Minister .��Additional��representatives included President of the��German Bundestag’s��Committee��on Foreign Affairs��, President of the��French National Assembly’s��Committee on Foreign Affairs��, and former EU commissioners. The meetings also drew a diverse array of attendees, the president of the Grand Est Region of France, Franck Leroy, and scientists, artists, students and civil society activists.

The summit culminated in the Strasbourg Declaration, a policy document calling for Europe to strengthen its military, technological, and financial capabilities to achieve superpower status on the global stage.

The University’s participation in this landmark event solidifies its commitment to shaping important conversations about Europe’s future and international politics. Following��on Syracuse Strasbourg students’ participation in the��, or recent meeting with��European Parliament member Dario Nardella��of��Italy,��the Europa Power discussions marked another unique opportunity for Syracuse students to take advantage of the international affairs events regularly taking place in Strasbourg.��

Olutoyin Green ’26 always knew she wanted to study abroad. But she wasn’t expecting to end up in South Africa—and she definitely wasn’t expecting to go there twice in one year.

Green is majoring in political philosophy; health humanities; and law, society and policy alongside a minor in public health in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. Connecting her studies is a need to understand how massive systems impact everyday lives—and how everyday people can change those overarching structures.

Thanks to the University’s experiential learning and outreach initiatives, Green has had the opportunity to encounter both ends of this scalar spectrum. As an undergraduate research assistant with the Engaged Humanities Network, Green works with Southside Connections (SSC) to address social challenges through community organizing.

Her learning with this local, place-based collective action has been complemented by a summer internship at the Global Governance Institute through Syracuse Abroad’s European and Global Internship Program in Brussels, looking at a set of institutions and decision-making processes taking place at a very different scale. Green’s professional development experiences in Belgium included visits to NATO headquarters and the European Parliament alongside meeting experts from the United Nations.

Finding Her Niche Abroad

Even before heading to Brussels for her summer internship, Green planned a full-length semester abroad—something she’d been looking forward to since her freshman year. Initially, she planned on taking general electives at one of the European centers.

As she looked further into study abroad options, though, Green discovered World Partner programs, and “realized they would expose me to different cultures in a non-traditional way that was geared toward my passion.”

The SIT South Africa: International Relations in the Global South program offers students a chance to dive into global affairs from non-Western perspectives, considering such major international actors as the African Union and the BRICS block (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa). The program immediately caught Green’s eye, and in spring 2025, she spent four months in Durban learning about the anti-apartheid movement and contemporary issues in post-colonial societies.

Experiential learning through trips to museums, workshops with local organizations and conversations with civil society leaders developed a lived understanding of multiscalar politics around the region, while three different homestays grounded Green in the country’s still-existing social disparities.

“I don’t have a favorite moment or memory,” Green says, “because the entire semester was so impactful, and everything I did—in and out of formal coursework—connected so powerfully.”

Learning From the Past to Reshape the Future

Throughout her coursework in South Africa, Green was especially moved by the reality that individuals who led the anti-apartheid movement are still alive and able to share their stories and strategies for changemaking. Throughout her studies investigating political, social and economic disparities between communities within the United States and around the world, Green has seen that change needs to happen—but very rarely found avenues to make that change.

Inspired in large part by the “blueprint and hope” that she received from anti-apartheid leaders in South Africa, her senior honors thesis is now considering how social movements are sustained to effectively create meaningful change. Thanks to support from the Syracuse Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Engagement (SOURCE), Green returned to South Africa over Thanksgiving break to lay the groundwork for empirical research informing her thesis.

The trip played a fundamental role in Green’s methodology. “Before going back and speaking with people informally, I had a singular idea of who I was going to interview,” says Green, having assumed she would focus on high-profile activists.

The informal conversations highlighted the intricacy of the movement as a whole—and just how intentional the role of doorknockers, knowledge generators, exiled individuals and other “behind the scenes” members of the movement were. Green now has a more multifaceted understanding of what social movements can look like, and who is involved.

And though she may not have a favorite memory from spring 2025, reuniting with her host family over Thanksgiving break was the personal highlight of her recent research trip, as well as sitting on the warm beach in November. “There’s nothing better than the water in Durban,” she says.

Story by Becca Farnum, community engagement specialist with Syracuse Abroad in London

Strasbourg, France, may be a long way from the Connecticut home of Marion Patsalides ’28—but she had a family looking out for her from the moment she arrived for her study abroad experience.

Patsalides, an undergraduate student in the (ECS), spent the fall semester with Claire Kreuger and her family at their home just a short walk from the University’s .

“One of the biggest benefits for me has been having people I can communicate with and get advice from on a daily basis,” says Patsalides.
“I’m still getting better at French, so being able to have someone who speaks English and French and understands the local customs really helped.”

Kreuger and her husband are originally from Canada but have lived in Strasbourg for years.

“We love living in France and in particular living in Strasbourg. This is such a great city and a great country to live in. The best part of hosting students from Syracuse is getting to share this city with them and getting to see it through new eyes,” says Kreuger.

“Had I been in an apartment or a dorm, I really feel like I would have struggled to manage getting groceries and planning my own meals all the time in a different country.�� I appreciate home cooked meals daily,” says Patsalides. “Having a family I could ask for help really saved me multiple times. I will always feel like I was lucky to end up with the Kreugers.”

Host families are much more than housing and meals. For example, the Kreugers lent Patsalides a bicycle so she could explore the city.

“When you strike up the courage and get on a bike in Strasbourg, the world opens up at your feet. We live right in the city center so everything we need is within a 15-minute radius by walking, tram or cycling,” says Kreuger. “While Strasbourg is very conveniently located for weekend getaways to London, Berlin or Barcelona, there is a lot to see and do right outside our door.”

From little things like help finding a pharmacy to a welcoming home to come back to each night, Patasalides says the support she has received from the Kreugers has made her study abroad experience more enjoyable on multiple levels.

“Living with a host family absolutely adds to the experience of studying abroad. Both the advice I’ve gotten from Claire about assimilating to French culture and especially with working out how to interact with professors have really helped me,” says Patasalides. “I live in the middle of a beautiful city, but it’s been wonderful to have such a place to call home while I am here.”

During a semester abroad, some days can feel more “foreign” than others.

For students at S’s centers and programs in Florence, London, Madrid, Santiago, Strasbourg and Wrocław, Thanksgiving is one of those days.

At a time of year when friends on campus have the week off from classes and are preparing to celebrate the holiday, the lack of a celebration abroad can feel jarring. This year, staff, students, faculty and partners are finding meaningful ways to beat the “holiday blues” through a variety of volunteering and community connections.

Service and Celebration

Students in Madrid were involved in a series of community outreach days throughout October, followed by participation in November’s national anti-hunger donation drive led by the Spanish Food Bank. Over the past several weeks, they have supported an animal shelter, a nursing home, and a tactile disability-friendly museum. The visits have run concurrently with a service-learning project at Madrid’s Official School of Languages.

The Madrid Center has aligned their program’s farewell party with Thursday’s holiday, and will be hosting a Spanish take on the Thanksgiving meal. The intercultural spirit of the event has been visually captured by biology major Simona Milev ’28, whose design combining iconic elements of the city such as flamenco dancers, chocolate con churros, the Oso y el Madroño and the Retiro boat rides, won this year’s center-wide postcard contest.

The day after Madrid’s farewell Día de Acción de Gracias meal, students in the Santiago program will say adiós to Chile with a visit to SkyCostanera, the observatory of the tallest skyscraper in South America which offers a nearly 1000-foot panoramic view of the capital’s modern architecture nestled in the Andes mountains. Following their visit, they will gather for a “friendsgiving” meal with program director Mauricio Paredes and students from another study abroad program.

For journalism and history student Duncan Green ’27, studying in Santiago, the week’s farewells are especially poignant, as they include wrapping up his time at the Fundación de Protección de la Infancia Dañada por Estados de Emergencia (PIDEE), a local nongovernmental organization devoted to protecting human rights for children and youth.

PIDEE was created in 1979 to support young people affected by the atrocities of the Pinochet dictatorship, and continues to promote well-being for underprivileged families. Green has been blending his two majors in a special project digitizing the organization’s archives so they can be more accessible to the public as a resource for young people’s contemporary history.

Making Connections Across Europe

While Green has been unearthing 20th-century stories from South America, Ella Roerden ’27 (currently studying in Poland in the Exploring Central Europe program) has been supporting a project going even further back in time.

Her volunteer work is connected to Thanksgiving’s most iconic aspect: food. “This semester, I am assisting with the preparations for an upcoming temporary exhibition on food and eating in medieval Lower Silesia, the region Wroclaw is the capital of,” says Roerden.

Her support for the Archaeological Museum of Wroclaw has included a strong intercultural focus: “I am helping streamline English translations of the Polish texts for the exhibition,” bringing the work to a wider audience and helping diaspora communities connect to their past.

Roerden’s classmate Mason Burley ’27 took advantage of home campus’s week off to make plans with a friend. Elena Cooper ’25, herself an alumna of Syracuse Abroad’s London program, met Burley in London, where they participated in the London Center’s trip to the Natural History Museum and Science Museum as part of the learning community on environment, sustainability and policy.

Cooper and Burley are spending Thanksgiving in Poland while the London learning community spends Thanksgiving afternoon volunteering at their local community garden.

This year while abroad, through volunteering, interning and taking part in the local culture, students find new ways to feel grateful and at home.

Story by Becca Farnum

As he participated in a seminar for the International Drug Policy Academy in Strasbourg, France, one afternoon last May, Alejandro Parra ’24, G’25 had a moment of reflection.

The alumnus, who earned a bachelor of science and a master’s degree in public health, joined global health experts from as far away as Malta and Mexico for a discussion about the ways culture shapes health care. They talked about the impact, for instance, of adjusting clinic hours based on local religious traditions, and collaborating with institutions such as churches to help distribute medicine and supplies.

Parra was not just an observer, but a participant—he gave a presentation on a proposal to cleanup needles discarded by drug users in a city park.

“I gained confidence presenting in front of experts in my field and the experience deepened my understanding of the multifaceted mechanisms that drive community action,” says Parra, who attended the seminar during his internship with the Council of Europe’s Biomedical Division in the spring of 2025. “It was a really unique opportunity and one of many insightful experiences I had.”

Witnessing History in Europe

Another: In June, Parra sat in on a landmark event at which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed an accord with the Council of Europe to establish a special tribunal to try top officials responsible for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. During his remarks at the event, Zelenskyy called for unity across Europe and the U.S. and urged leaders to uphold global democracy and the rule of law.

During his internship, from May through late June, Parra worked on public engagement and policy communication, creating fact sheets simplifying complex issues such as the role of artificial intelligence in health care, human rights in mental health care and the Oviedo Convention—a 1997 treaty on human rights in biomedicine.

He also participated in policy workshops and meetings with experts from across Europe on issues including psychiatric care and substance use disorders, gaining firsthand experience in building policy based on complex local contexts.

“A key skill I developed was writing for a non-scientific audience, condensing dense expert reviews into digestible facts,” he says. “This clarity proved essential in making policy resources accessible and engaging to the public.”

Building Policy and Communication Skills

The internship was one of several study abroad experiences Parra embraced during his five years at Syracuse. It proved especially transformative, showing him that global health is more than a coordinated effort; it is fundamentally rooted in the strength and unity of community.

“You can’t really deliver health care services to somebody without knowing their background and how to tailor it to them,” says Parra, who now resides in Queens, New York, and works as a mental health specialist for Lodestar Children’s Services, serves as a second lieutenant in the Army Reserves and is a member of the New York Army National Guard Military Funeral Honor Guard.

“The MPH [master of public health] program develops a multitude of cross-disciplinary skills and values that have shaped my perspective as a public health professional and provides me with a road map to continue to learn and grow my knowledge in the field.”

One of Parra’s favorite courses was Substance Use and Mental Health. Professor often asked students to lead weekly sessions based on their own evidence and case studies. The resulting discussions, according to Parra, were “thought-provoking” and shaped his view of mental health “across different cultures, traditions and global contexts.”

As an undergraduate, Parra was honored with the Public Health Leadership Scholar Award. He served as a career ambassador, a resident advisor, an honors peer mentor and a global ambassador. He was a member of Syracuse’s Army ROTC and served as a cadet in the New York Army National Guard.

He was supported by an internship award through the University’s , and by the Patricia and Melvin Stith Graduate Student Fund established to support military-connected graduate students enrolled full time at Syracuse and participating in the University’s .

Through his studies, internship and extensive global network, Parra learned that collaboration, trust and openness are the cornerstones of effective public health policy and human rights.

“My internship with the Council of Europe made it clear that developing human rights-centered policies requires a deep commitment to iterative feedback and adaptation,” he says. “The best policy work results from respectful debate, careful consideration of diverse viewpoints, and the humility to adjust ideas in response to real-world needs.”

Story by Catherine Scott