Axe ’Em, Jacks!
NACOGDOCHES, Texas –– Stephen F. Austin State University education graduate student Kacie Clopp attended the international University Scholars Leadership Symposium in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where she joined more than 1,000 emerging leaders from around the world to engage in high-impact conversations on humanitarian issues and global change.
“I was the only student from Texas and one of five students from the United States. This made my international connections even more special,” said Clopp, of Wylie. “I had the privilege of building friendships with delegates from Egypt, Australia, Canada, China, the Philippines and many more countries. Each conversation broadened my perspective and reminded me of the power of cross-cultural connection.”
The weeklong 13th annual USLS was hosted by Humanitarian Affairs earlier this month to bring together emerging world leaders to network, help in-need communities, and hear from trailblazers of the humanitarian world.
Clopp is pursuing her Master of Education in curriculum and instruction from the Department of Education Studies in SFA’s James I. Perkins College of Education. After a nomination from Dr. Sarah Straub, associate professor of education studies, and support from study abroad coordinator, Ines Maxit, Clopp was selected by USLS representatives to attend the symposium.
“I’ve known Kacie for years as her professor through her involvement in Montgomery Professorship activities and during our study abroad experiences,” Straub said. “She is someone who willingly steps out of her comfort zone to connect with people whose stories differ from her own. In today’s world, that openness and curiosity she has are truly a gift.”
Support from Straub and Maxit helped Clopp throughout the process, from applying for the symposium to returning home from Kuala Lumpur.
“The chance to learn, grow and expand my understanding of how to create positive change in the world was incredibly appealing, but the thought of traveling nearly 10,000 miles from home by myself was nerve-racking,” Clopp said. “I had concerns about the logistics, but both Dr. Straub and Ines provided me with amazing support.”
Clopp was able to share her experiences, including working with English language learners during her recent study abroad trip with SFA graduate students in Mexico, with two of the USLS speakers whose work she felt most connected to: Estefania Rebellon, co-founder and executive director of the Yes We Can World Foundation, a mobile school for migrant children along the border, and Erfanullah Abidi, an advocate leading underground schools for Afghan girls.
“[Rebellon] powerfully said, ‘We meet them where they are,’ describing how her foundation ensures that migrant children have access to education and support,” Clopp said. “I told her I was an educator from Texas and asked what I could do in my own classroom to support migrant and refugee students.”
Clopp also spoke with Abidi.
“As both an educator and a young woman, his work moved me profoundly,” she said.
Clopp said she found these influential changemakers both inspiring and motivating.
“Their words and example have left a lasting impression on me, something I will carry with me throughout my career and life,” she said.
As part of the event, Clopp also volunteered for the community Kindness Day initiative. Participants were split into groups to chaperone in-need children on a visit to an indoor amusement park.
“Saying goodbye was bittersweet,” Clopp said. “We had given them a day to remember. The hugs and heartfelt ‘thank-yous’ from the children were proof that we had made a difference, even if just for that one day. It’s an experience I will carry with me forever.”
Clopp hopes to teach elementary students after she earns her master’s degree and says the lessons she learned at USLS will continue to guide her in her classroom and throughout her lifelong commitment to education and service.
For more information about graduate programs in the Department of Education Studies, visit gosfa.com/edmasters. For more information about SFA’s study abroad opportunities, visit sfasu.edu/international.