Alumna Kathryn Ries Awarded the Bronze Medal for Outstanding Work at NOAA
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently awarded Institute alumna Kathryn Ries (MPA ’86) the highest honor given to NOAA professionals. Ries was awarded the NOAA’s Bronze Medal for her leadership in building hydrographic capacity in Central America to support navigation safety, economic growth and protection of the marine environment.
Molly Ammons: Bridging Divides Towards Refugee Resettlement
Before pursuing a graduate degree, Molly Ammons (MPA '09) worked for a refugee resettlement agency, helping displaced families adapt to life in the United States:
Location
Jamie Langlie MPA ’91, Alumni Donor
Jamie Langlie MPA '91, pictured at right wearing the gray blazer with Elizabeth Anderson MBA '91, shares her thoughts and memories of the Monterey Institute.
1) Why do you give to MIIS?
Kate Balzer: A Passion for Community Development
Kate Balzer (MPA '09) discovers her path to a career in community development:
I worked for non-profit dance and theater companies after college, even though my degree focused on international studies. After a few years, I wanted to do something else - even if I didn't know what.
Location
Professor Jinhuei Dai: Designing a New Language Learning Model
Professor Jinhuei Dai is a pioneer of innovative teaching and learning strategies. She advocates a "sustainable model" for teaching the Chinese language to policy students from a wide range of language levels and academic interests. By emphasizing individualization, the personal experience of learning, Professor Dai's students cultivate their language abilities.
Location
Abate Mengesha: Meet a Yellow Ribbon Veteran
Retired US Navy serviceman Abate Mengesha (MPA '11) is very special Yellow Ribbon veteran. Born in Ethiopia, he served with the United Nations' High Commision on Human Rights in Sudan. Later, he immigrated to the US, joined the Navy, and served in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He has been rewarded for his community service and is currently working on a Master's in Public Administration. Thanks to the Veterans Administration and the Monterey Institute of International Studies, his tuition is completely covered. In this interview.
Location
David Reichbaum: Sustainable Community Development in Peru
Last summer, David Reichbaum (MPA '09) interned for ProWorld in the Cusco region of Peru. ProWorld provides health, education, and environmental services to developing communities.
Location
Lynn McDonald: Returning to Chile after Mastering Spanish
I struggled at first, started taking Spanish classes and benefited from good friendships with kind people. While these friendships helped me communicate during my two months abroad, people mostly smiled at my childish mistakes and dealt with my butchering of their language.
Location
Mindy Chiang: Promoting Human Trafficking Awareness
Inspired by their group project in Data Analysis (IPOL 8504) that linked human trafficking with women's empowerment, Mindy Chiang (MPA '09) and four other classmates founded One Less, Uno Menos, an NGO that promotes awareness on human trafficking. Activities of the group include working with the Toluca, Mexico government to work with college students on anti-human trafficking and establishing the STOP club at MIIS to promote awareness on human t
