Four Middlebury Institute Alumni Selected for RISE Fellowship

The prestigious RISE Fellowship is the flagship diversity, equity, and inclusion program of NAFSA. The two-year fellowship for international educators from underrepresented minority backgrounds offers coaching, a yearlong professional development program, participation in NAFSA conferences, and networking opportunities. Dionne Daniels, a 2019 graduate of the joint MPA/MA in International Education Management (MPA/IEM) shared, “I am humbled and grateful for the opportunity to grow professionally with this cohort, learn from peers and mentors, and expand my skill set in international education.”

Aurian Eghbalian, who graduated from the MA in International Education Management (IEM), added that she is excited to strengthen her leadership skills and expand her network in order to deepen her expertise while creating positive, lasting change.

Selected from among more than 100 applicants, this year’s 10 RISE fellows include four MIIS alumni: Alexandro Gonzalez-Calvillo MPA/MAIEM ’21, Aurian Eghbalian MAIEM ’19, Dionne Daniels MPA/MAIEM ’19, and Jarod Hightower-Mills MAIEM ’14.