SEED News

Last Updated: May 9th, 2013

Salvadorian Educators Study at CSU Dominguez Hills through USAID SEED program:
Some have lost parents and even entire families to a civil war that lasted 12 years, yet others narrowly escaped getting caught up in the endemic gang life in El Salvador before finding their professional calling, and they have put the details down on paper.

Salvadorian educators read each other's autobiographical work.

Deep in concentration, some fighting back tears, 17 middle school teachers and administrators from the Central American country read each other's autobiographical essays that were published in personalized books they can take with them when they complete their six months of study at California State University, Dominguez Hills. "Some were raised by grandparents when their parents were killed in the revolution in El Salvador. Some are single parents," said Lilia Sarmiento, associate professor of teacher education, who is the academic advisor and reading and writing instructor for the visiting educators. "This project gives them the opportunity to tell their story."

To read more about the SEED teachers studying at California State University at Dominguez Hills, please click here.

CASS and SEED Alumni Continue their Education through Madonna University's HELP Program:
The SEED program is pleased to report that fourteen CASS/SEED alumni are currently continuing their education in Haiti through Madonna University's Haiti Education Leadership Program (HELP) online business program. The HELP program was created by the Michigan-based Madonna University President, Sister Marie Kujawa, in an effort to help Haiti rebuild. Currently, the only program of its kind in Haiti, it offers online undergraduate business courses and leads to a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration. Business course descriptions are similar to those offered to Michigan-based Madonna University students.

Alumni currently enrolled in the on-line business program include Marie Edel Baptiste, Yvon Baptiste, Tresline Beaublanc, Jeef Beaubrun, Luckson Dervilus, Ketcia Dorante, Onyl Gedeon, Roud Slande Jasmin, Magalie Lambert, Wellington Joseph, Erode Laborde, Rosaline Michel, Bethanie Saint Louis and Johny Smith. The SEED program applauds Madonna University for their important program as it enables SEED alumni to continue their university education while at the same time permits them to rebuild and develop Haiti through their full-time jobs.

SEED/Mexico April Newsletter:
What does US Ambassador Anthony Wayne have in common with inclusive employment of persons with disabilities, an exposition of mother tongue books, agreements with the Municipality of Leon and the Colegio de Bachilleres and Oscar Peralta passing the CANCINTRA torch.....? All have supported the Scholarships for Education and Economic Development (SEED) program over the past month and are featured in the latest April 2013 SEED/Mexico newsletter. To read more about these and other news articles about the SEED/Mexico program, please click here.

Mt. Hood Community College student advances in Clinton Global Challenge

By Special to The Oregonian on March 28, 2013 at 7:57 PM, updated March 28, 2013 at 8:02 PM
Glenda Alfaro (Courtesy Mt. Hood Community College)

A Mt. Hood Community College student continues her Cinderella run to reach the "Elite Eight" in the Clinton Global Initiative University's Commitments Challenge. Click here to read the full story from Oregon Live.

MHCC Competes on Same Level as MIT and Other Colleges
Gresham, Ore., March 25, 2013) — Mt. Hood Community College (MHCC) may not be playing in the NCAA basketball tournament, but it has its own "Cinderella story" developing – sort of the "March Madness" of great student ideas and projects that address some of the world's most pressing challenges.

Called the Clinton Global Challenge (CGI), this sixth annual event will take place in the same locale and at the same time as the "other" March Madness Final Four event: April 5 – 7 at Washington University in St. Louis.

MHCC joins other institutions of higher learning – all major four-year universities and colleges – in a contest to identify the best ideas in the areas of education, environment and climate change, peace and human rights, poverty alleviation, and public health.

About a thousand projects were reviewed by panel of judges, including President Clinton. MHCC is pleased to announce that it is included in the Sweet 16. MHCC will be represented by Glenda Alfaro, a student in the college's Scholarships for Education and Economic Development (SEED) program. In 2013, she pledged her committed to replenishing nutrient-poor soil and stimulating agricultural production through composting in Jardines de la Nueva, El Salvador. In November, she will distribute composting bins to 12 families and teach them the basic steps for composting at home, bringing her knowledge and environmental technology to her native country.

The public can vote for their favorite CGI commitment at cgiu.org/bracket. The first round of voting will remain open through 11 a.m. Pacific Daylight Savings Time, March 28. Voting will continue in subsequent rounds (or brackets) until April 6. President Clinton and TV's Stephen Colbert will take part in announcing the winner.

"All MHCC students, employees and the public are encouraged to vote," says Nikki Gillis, SEED program coordinator. "We are proud of our SEED students and want the world to know that MHCC is competing head-to-head against students from Duke University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Columbia University. MHCC is the only community college in the bracket."

A Cinderella story, indeed!

Information on SEED
SEED is an international development program that brings young leaders from rural areas of Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean to the United States for two-year technical training programs.

After completing their program of study, SEED scholars return to their native countries with the skills needed to work for positive change in such areas as reforestation, waste reduction, watershed restoration and environmental education programs.

SEED Alumni Begin Working on Nursery Projects in Haiti
On January 1st, Anthony Davis, Director of the University of Idaho's (UI) Center for Forest Nursery and Seedling Research will travel to Haiti to collaborate with Sabine Deristin and Owens Telemaque on establishing seedling/native plant nurseries in Haiti. Sabine and Owens recently graduated from a two year Scholarships in Educational and Economic Development (SEED) training program in environmental technology, leadership, and civic engagement. SEED, a partnership between UI International Programs, the College of Natural Resources, Lewis and Clarks State College, the Palouse Clearwater Environmental Institution, and the Center for Intercultural Education and Development at Georgetown University, is funded through a grant provided by the US Agency for International Development (USAID).
   
As a part of SEED, 18 students from Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean created community action plans focusing on ways to engage their communities in improving the environment. In addition to their studies at UI, SEED participants completed a combined total of 5677 hours of community service restoring streams, planting trees and native plants, and volunteering at numerous community events. One of the highlights of Owen's and Sabine's SEED experience was being invited to the prestigious Clinton Global Initiative University Conference in Washington, DC where they were able to network with students from around the world engaged in innovative development and community action projects.  source: (UI alumni news)

US Ambassador Anthony Wayne Visits SEED Alumnus School
On March 7, 2013, US Ambassador Anthony Wayne visited the bilingual primary school, "José Vasconcelos" in Oaxaca, Mexico. The director of the school, Irma Hernandez Hernandez, is a SEED Program graduate who studied strengthening rural indigenous education at the University of Arizona. She has strengthened her school in many ways, especially in the use of Mixteca and Zapoteca mother tongue languages, as well increasing the involvement of parents in the educational process of their children. The US Ambassador stated that the SEED program will continue to help education in Mexico and wished the teachers and their students the best wishes for their success. To read more about Ambassador Wayne's visit and to view photos of the event, please click here.

International Mother Language Day, Feb.21, 2013

Today is International Mother Language Day! 
We are celebrating the 14th International Mother Language Day! 

Learning in a mother language (first language) is incredibly important to children's further development and education. Early grade reading instruction should be in a language children speak and understand. When instruction is in an unfamiliar language, an enormous amount of time must be spent first teaching children to understand, speak, read, and write that foreign language. This is difficult in low resource contexts and wastes valuable time in the early grades.

Learning in a familiar language improves school outcomes, reduces repetition and reduces dropout. Children with instruction in their mother tongue are significantly more likely to be enrolled and attending school. Children learn to read faster if they speak the language of instruction, because they already have vocabulary, knowledge of the construction of the language, and the ability to pronounce the sounds of the language. This knowledge facilitates children's learning to read and understanding what they read.  

Help us spread the word.

Click here for more on International Mother Language Day.

SEED Program at the University of Arizona Supports Mother Language Development

Twenty indigenous rural teachers from Mexico are currently studying at the University of Arizona. Through a funding partnership with the United States Agency for International Development and the government of Mexico, the SEED program has provided scholarships to indigenous primary education teachers and indigenous education supervisors from throughout Mexico. Current teachers are from the following groups:

To learn more about the SEED program at the University of Arizona, please click here to read the Fall/Winter newsletter.

SEED Promotes Hiring Persons with Disabilities
Since it's inception, the SEED program has actively recruited and incorporated youth with disabilities into the SEED scholarship program with the goal of promoting the employment of skilled youth with disabilities in the workplace. Fausto Hernandez is an excellent of our program's alumni with a disability obtaining employment and promoting the employment of other persons with disabilities in the Mexican workplace. The SEED program would like to congratulate Fausto on his new job with the Harley Davidson company in Mexico and for his active participation in the First Forum on Employment Inclusion in Mexico. A special recognition also is in order for Mexican industrialist and President of CANACINTRA, Mr. Oscar Peralta, who has tirelessly promoted the hiring of both disabled and non-disabled SEED alumni. To read more about Fausto, please click here.

New Monthly Newsletter for Northcentral Technical College
Have you wondered what is happening at SEED program partner community colleges and universities? To share what is happening with the SEED Program and other international projects at Northcentral Technical College (NTC), staff have published a new newsletter, entitled, "Global Matters". To read the newsletter and learn more about the SEED program and NTC international students, please click here.

Notes from SEED alumni:  The following news about CASS and SEED alumni was received during the first week of October 2012:

Alumni Team Win Development Grant: Nicaraguan CASS alumnus, Cesar Dubois and his team signed up for the State Department alumni community and presented a project to the community development grants competition entitled, "Mentoring and Entrepreneurship".  The US embassy informed our Nicaragua office that his project was one of the winners and will be awarded US$23,000.00. 

Deaf Alumnus Secures Private Sector Employment:  SEED alumnus Sandra Ramirez has secured employment with the agroindustrial company, Hortifruta where she will work in their production and product bar coding department.  Sandra is the first deaf alumnus to secure a position in Nicaraguan private sector industry.  She studied Computer Information Technology/Business Applications at St. Louis Community College.  The SEED program congratulates Hortifruta for their excellent hiring choice and extends our best wishes to Sandra.

Dominican Alumni Association Marks 20 Year Milestone: The ADECASS/SEED alumni association plans to celebrate the 20th year anniversary of their founding in the Dominican Republic. The celebratory event will take place at 2:00 pm on October 20, 2012 at the Casa San Pablo and will be attended by CASS/SEED alumni and local staff as well as representatives from USAID and the United States embassy.  At the event, CASS and SEED alumni will present their community development projects that they have implemented.  For more information or to learn how you can become involved in supporting the alumni, please click on their website:  http://www.adecass.org/index.php

Dengue Outbreak Ended by SEED Alumnus: On September 28, 2012, a serious dengue outbreak in Ciudad Romero, El Salvador caused the death of a 10 year old boy and sent infected villagers to seek hospital treatment.  Maria Batres Velasco, a recent SEED transmissible disease vector control alumnus immediately organized a team of 175 local citizens and implemented an intensive five-day mosquito larval eradication drive which resulted in ending the dengue outbreak.  She shared with the SEED program, “The knowledge I gained during my six months at Cal State University Dominguez Hills was very, very helpful in organizing my community to end this outbreak.  I have fully put into practice the epidemiology lessons given to me by CSUDH/SEED professor Ricardo Contreras”.

SEED Alumni Association Donates School Supplies in the Dominican Republic
On August 12, 2012 the SEED alumni association donated school supplies to forty (40) needy students from the community of El Limon de Pedro Brand located in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.  The SEED alumni association raised funds through member contributions in order to equip the students with needed school supplies. To read more (in Spanish) about the school supply donation event, please click here.  To obtain additional information about the  SEED alumni association, or to make a donation to the association's community development activities, please click here.

SEED Alumni Association Unveils Alumni Association Websites
The SEED alumni associations from the Dominican Republic and El Salvador have unveiled their new alumni association websites. These website were developed through volunteers and each has information and links to their many on their many activities.  To review their activities, please click on the following web links: http://www.adecass.org/index.php and http://www.adecass.org/index.php 

United States Awards SEED Scholarships to Youth and Indigenous Teachers
Viloria Yamel Tavera writes on SEED's successes in strengthening educational skills in Mexico. By targeting the impoverished multi-grade classrooms serving Mexico's indigenous population the SEED program has had substantial impact on student performance in only four years.
(Clic aquí para leer el artículo en Español) - (Click here to read an English translation)

Mensaje del C. Secretario de Educación Pública, Dr. José Ángel Córdova Villalobos, en la ceremonia de Entrega de Becas Semilla de la Universidad de Georgetown para Maestros y ATP’S de Educación Indígena y para Jóvenes de Zonas Rurales e Indígenas.
-México, D. F., 9 de julio de 2012. (ver enlace adjunto)

Assistant Secretary of State Roberta Jacobson Awards 50 SEED Scholarships
On June 27, Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Roberta Jacobson, in representation of the U.S. Government, delivered scholarships to 50 Salvadoran fellows selected by the SEED Program to study in the United States. The scholarships are valued at over $1.4 million. The SEED program is funded by the U.S. Government through its Agency for International Development (USAID) and administered by the Center for Intercultural Education and Development at Georgetown University.

Fellows for this year’s SEED Program were selected from a pool of over 500 highly qualified applicants in a variety of fields. This new group of 50 Salvadorans will participate in programs that range from six months to two years in length in a variety of areas, including: strengthening primary education for rural children; administration and marketing for small and medium enterprises; quality control; agricultural enterprise management for export; environmental technology and vector control of transmissible diseases.  For more information on the scholarship awards, please click here.

More than 40 Hondurans Receive "SEED" Scholarships
On Thursday, May 31, 2012, GU alumnus and United States Ambassador, Lisa Kubiske awarded 42 SEED scholarships to rural youth of limited family financial resources, rural teachers and rural health officials from Honduras.  The well attended event was presided over by Ambassador Kubiske, the USAID/Honduras Deputy Director, Mr. Kurt Pope, and Dr. Samuel Reyes, emissary of the President of Honduras.  Dr. Juan Bendeck, long time supporter of the CASS and SEED programs stated that the SEED participants return home to become key leaders in their communities, and today  many have become Mayors of their communities.   He congratulated each of them stating that each has now become an individual Ambassador of Honduras to the government of the United States.   For her part, Ambassador Lisa Kubiske shared that Georgetown University is a very special place for her as she obtained a Master's degree from the GU School of Foreign Service and it fills her with pride that both Georgetown and USAID continue supporting this scholarship program.   The Scholarships for Education and Economic Development (SEED) program is funded by the United States Agency for International Development and is implemented by Georgetown University.   To read more about the Honduras SEED award ceremony please click here

Thirty-nine Scholarships Awarded to Dominican Republican Youth
On Wednesday, June 6, 2012, United States Ambassador Raul Yzaguirre awarded 39 SEED scholarships to rural youth of limited family financial resources from the Dominican Republic.  The USAID Interim Director for the Dominican Republic, Ms. Heather Schildge assisted in the awarding of the scholarships and stated that these scholarships are awarded based on their individual potential and will prepare them to contribute to the development of their country.  The Scholarships for Education and Economic Development (SEED) program is funded by the United States Agency for International Development and is implemented by Georgetown University.  To read more about the SEED award ceremony and to view the speech of Ambassador Raul Yzaguirre please click here and here.

SEED Students Bring Global Education to Wisconsin
The SEED program is a highly effective tool of US public diplomacy and international development.  It is also a way for American students from throughout the United States to learn firsthand about the cultures and economies of foreign countries without having to obtain a passport and travel overseas.  The following letter is from Karen Thompson a 51 year old women from "small town" Wisconsin about what she has learned from SEED students. Click here to read the letter.

Reedley College Faculty Nominate SEED Student to Deliver Commencement Speech
Fausto Tejera, a Cycle 2010 SEED student from the Dominican Republic was honored by the Reedley faculty who nominated him to deliver the College student commencement speech. The selection of a student commencement speaker rather than a college valedictorian is a Reedley College tradition. Watch the video below or click here to watch the video and read Fausto's speech.

SEED Programs Strengthen Mexican Indigenous Primary Education
The Scholarships for Education and Economic Development (SEED) Programs at the University of Arizona currently offers  comprehensive training for primary education teachers and technical supervisors from mainly indigenous communities in Mexico.  The program seeks to develop pedagogical and technical expertise through design and delivery of courses, field experiences in schools, and service and community involvement.  The goal is that SEED scholarship recipients become major players in educational change to better serve indigenous children and their families, and thus increase the linguistic and cultural relevance of their primary education school experiences.

The SEED program at the University of Arizona is funded and administered through a partnership with the United States Agency for International Development, the government of Mexico (SEP/DGEI), Georgetown University and the University of Arizona.  For more in-depth information on the program curricula, staff, activities and events of this important project please click here.

Rural Teachers from the Yucatan Strengthen Skills in the USA
Three rural primary education teachers from the Yucatan state of Mexico have been awarded one-year SEED scholarships to study in the United States.  For Yadira Magaña Coba, this is an opportunity to continue her professional development and to become a change agent in the rural schools of the Yucatan.  Yadira and her two fellow teachers teach indigenous children as part of the Mexican Office for Indigenous Education (DGEI).  To read more about Yadira Magaña Coba, please click here.

SEED Student Meets President Bill Clinton at CGI-U
Cycle 2010 SEED student Erick Amaya from El Salvador, shows President Clinton how to assemble care packages for the US troops stationed overseas during the morning of service work that the CGI (Clinton Global Initiative University Conference) students got to participate in during the last day of the conference which was held in Washington, D.C., from March 30 to April 1, 2012.

He was also one of twelve (12) SEED students who were invited to a special lunch with President Clinton during this event.   Only about 50-60 students were invited to the lunch from the 1,100+ conference participants.

Erick studies Small Business Management at Northcentral Technical College in Wausau, Wisconsin.  The SEED program is funded by the United States Agency for International Development and is an important component of US leadership and workforce development efforts in Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean.  SEED is administered by the Center for Intercultural Education and Development of Georgetown University.

Erick Amaya helps President Clinton build USO care packages for US servicemen overseas

SEED alumni join US Ambassador Lisa Kubiske to celebrate the International Day of Women in Honduras
TEGUCIGALPA. - The U.S. Ambassador Lisa Kubiske and SEED alumni Oneyda Ramirez and Fany Velasquez yesterday celebrated the International Women's Day by touring projects supporting women in Honduras.  The diplomat visited the school, Amigo de los Niños as well as Casa Alianza and the Americas Market, to see first-hand the achievements and progress of USAID-supported projects led by SEED women leaders trained in the United States. The diplomat was accompanied by officials from the American Embassy and the USAID Director for Honduras, William Brand, who received some presents handmade by women in the markets.

During her visit to the Americas Market, the Ambassador congratulated SEED alumna Oneyda Ramirez, who is the program coordinator of the non-governmental organization, Alternatives and Opportunities.  Ramirez and her organization work with 650 women from five Comayagüela markets, who are taught skills to prevent domestic violence, child abuse, and sexually transmitted diseases.  They also receive occupational group therapy and business management skills training.
In the words of Ambassador Kubiske, “I'm glad you have been so successful and I was impressed with the program you have, it gives me great satisfaction that the United States through USAID alumni can support these women, and I wish you all the luck to continue" .  (To read more, please click here)

SEED educators from Mexico design books to teach on indigenous languages
Mexican rural primary school educators who are at the University of Arizona's SEED program designed teaching materials on their indigenous languages for local Tucson teachers. The educators will be sharing their work during the Bilingual Books Exposition in Tuscon at the end of this month. The aim of the initiative is to enable children to connect more fluidly with learning materials while also exposing educators to the socio-cultural realities of their students. Read More

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Presents Award for Corporate Excellence

State Dept Image / Jan 18, 2012 State Department photo by Michael Gross. Secretary Clinton congratulates the Sahlman Seafoods President Marty Williams during the Award for Corporate Excellence ceremony at the State Department.

On January 18, 2012 , Secretary of State Hillary Clinton presented the Secretary of State's 2011 Award for Corporate Excellence (ACE) to Sahlman Seafoods, Incorporated, in Nicaragua; Procter & Gamble in Nigeria; and Procter & Gamble in Pakistan. The ACE is an annual award that recognizes U.S.-owned businesses that exhibit good corporate citizenship, promote innovation, and advance democratic principles around the world.

This year’s small- or medium-sized company winner is Sahlman Seafoods, Inc. in Nicaragua. The shrimp farming company promotes sustainable aquaculture and environmental awareness in local communities, protects endangered species of wildlife, and assists communities by improving school facilities, providing meals to children on non-traditional school days, and offering free medical treatment to farm workers.

Jaime Garcia, a Cooperative Association of States for Scholarships (CASS) alumnus and currently Sahlman Seafood’s plant production manager says that the company employs some 700 local Nicaraguans on all levels of its operation, making it a U.S. company with a Nicaraguan face.  Garcia says all the Nicaraguans who work at Sahlman are onboard with the elements of corporate, social and environmental responsibility, which he says “is part of the work culture.”

Winning the Award for Corporate Excellence (ACE) award, he insists, “is a great honor and it makes us feel even more committed than ever to continue supporting the community and protecting the environment.” 

For the U.S. government, the ACE awards are about recognizing the important developmental role that U.S. companies play in far corners of the world, but also their unofficial role as ambassadors for U.S. culture and values—the softer, diplomatic side of capitalism, as it were.

“In an increasingly interdependent and interconnected world, corporations are key actors in international affairs,” Secretary Clinton said.  “For many people around the world, the most direct contact they will ever have with the United States is through American businesses—that’s how people learn what we stand for and who we are, and what aspirations we share,” she said.  “So this is really important not just to the bottom line, but to our national security, our interests, our values and the future of our global leadership.” Read more about the awards and watch the video.

Vector Control District Helps Plant the SEED of Change in Central America 
“It’s an exchange of ideas and information that will mutually benefit our vector control agencies. So many of the vectors and diseases we battle here in California originate across borders and spread into the U.S. as a result of global commerce and travel,” said Truc Dever, GLACVCD Director of Community Affairs and District Coordinator of the SEED Vector Control Program. “By helping our southern neighbors develop a more comprehensive vector control program, we can stop the spread of some exotic insects and diseases.”  Read more 

Chapin Teachers Shine in Washington D.C. for Their Technological Advances
Raul Tzquina is a teacher in the grade school, Caserio El Triunfo, located in the village of PajulilI in the Department of Solola, Guatemala.  To get from his home to his school he has to walk two hours covering over 25 kilometers.  Despite the challenges Raul and his students face, he was honored this month by Microsoft in Washington D.C. as one of the top teachers in the world and competed against over 500 teachers for top prizes.  In Raul's words, "In Washington I demonstrated that in Guatemala we have teachers who are very capable to produce innovations in the classroom".  Read more

Programa Semilla para becar a estudiantes del COBAO en EU
Apoyar a los bachilleres talentosos y dedicados para que desarrollen sus habilidades y destrezas en todas las áreas sociales, es el compromiso del Colegio de Bachilleres de Oaxaca, afirmó el Director General del COBAO, Germán Espinoza Santibañez al firmar el convenio de colaboración con la Coordinadora Nacional de las Becas SEMILLA, Valeria Uribe Robles, para que los adolescentes continúen con su formación académica en universidades de Georgetown en los Estados Unidos de Norteamérica…. (haz clic para leer mas)

SEED Agriculture Students Drive Case International Harvester Tractor
On October 28th each of the new SEED students at Kirkwood Community College had the chance to drive the big Case International Harvester tractor on the Kirkwood Community College farm, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  The tractor is unique because it has tracks instead of wheels.  Tracks are found on heavy construction equipment to increase torque or pulling power and to also decrease soil compaction.  The tractor is huge - 5000 horsepower and costs around $300,000 dollars new.   Click on the following link to see the SEED students and their Agribusiness Terminology class instructor with the Case International Harvester tractor. Click here for the image

Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District Partners with SEED Program for Transmissible Disease Vector Control
SEED students from Central America are very engaged with the Greater Los Angeles County mosquito vector control work.  In this case, SEED students are not only learning important skills to take home, but as the attached article notes, they are providing important value added contributions to the vector control program in Greater Los Angeles.  They are able to help communicate with Spanish-speaking residents and are able to share knowledge in particular about Asian tiger mosquitos with which they are familiar from their home countries.  Please click on the following link to learn more about how this truly  valuable foreign assistance program is making a difference here in the U.S. as well as in Central America. Read more

USAID Funded CASS Alumnus Wins Microsoft Award for Teaching Innovations
Raul Tziquina, a Guatemalan 2008 CASS teacher alumnus recently won a Microsoft award for "Cutting Edge Use of Microsoft Technologies in Learning" at the Foro InterAmericano de Maestros Innovadores in Santiago, Chile.  A total of 70 educational projects from 17 Latin American countries competed for the prestigious award.  In a ceremony hosted by the Guatemalan Ministry of Education, the Guatemalan Minister of Education, Lic. Jorge Manuel Raymundo Velasquez and the Director of UNESCO/Guatemala, Dr. Edgar Montiel presented him with formal recognition for his award. Read more

Faces of St. Louis Community College
At first glance, Fausto Carlos Hernandez Carrillo resembles your everyday college student. Upon close examination, it becomes apparent that there is much more than meets the eye. This 20-year-old soccer enthusiast is part of the Scholarships for Education and Economic Development SEED) program at STLCC-Florissant Valley. The program is designed to support economic and social development in Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean, through which more than 5,000 youth have been trained in the United States and are now working to affect change in their home communities.  Laid-back, caring and charismatic, this Mexico native has one thing that sets him apart from the rest of his family. He is the only deaf member. Read more

Take Home Lesson: International Students Return Home with Iowa Ag Knowledge
Scott Ermer, Dean of Agriculture at Kirkwood Community College says,"Our programs have relevance globally, not only do international students benefit from the knowledge and training provided through our programs, but out traditional students learn about a global economy through the interaction of international students in their classes as well...   I can think of no better place for someone to learn about agriculture. Read more

Más nicas con becas a EE.UU
Una veintena de jóvenes nicaragüenses viajó por primera vez a Estados Unidos, no de paseo o por diversión, sino a estudiar carreras técnicas por dos años. Leer más

Foro de Inclusion Laboral para Personas con Discapacidad
Con la finalidad de redoblar esfuerzos y trabajar en conjunto sociedad civil, empresarios y Gobierno del Estado de México, el DIF de Tlalnepantla realizó el 1er. Foro de Inclusión Laboral para personas con discapacidad. Leer más

U.S. Awards 49 SEED Scholarships for College Studies in the United States
SAN SALVADOR – The U.S. Government, through the SEED scholarship program sponsored by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and administered by the Georgetown University’s Center for Intercultural Education and Development (CIED), awarded 49 scholarships on Monday July 25th, with a total value of over $1.2 million. Read more

La Primera Red de Líderes Internacionales de Querétaro
El pasado 2 de junio 2011, el Gobierno del Estado de Querétaro,  a través de la Secretaría de Desarrollo Sustentable organizó “La Primera Red de Líderes Internacionales de Querétaro”  la cual fue presidida por el C. José Calzada Roviroza, Gobernador del Estado, también estuvieron presentes, Tonatiuh Salinas, Secretario de Desarrollo Sustentable, Betina Chávez Soriano, Directora General de Coordinación Política de la Secretaría de Relaciones Internacionales y nuestra becaria Antonia Sánchez Sánchez.

El objetivo del Foro fue crear un espacio de intercambio de ideas en materia de innovación, en el cual diversos expertos en materia internacional, compartieron  su experiencia  y visión de trabajo. Fue un foro para la expresión y el intercambio de ideas, para seguir construyendo una red de colaboración, vinculación y de experiencia internacional con alto impacto social.

Antonia Sánchez, originaria de Tolimán quién estudiará administración de pequeñas y medinas empresas,  en su discurso dio un agradecimiento por el apoyo al Gobierno Estatal y de Estados Unidos de América para continuar sus estudios, sus palabras fueron muy emotivas y alentadoras para los jóvenes de su Estado.  

C. José Calzada Roviroza, Gobernador del Estado de Queretaro felicita a SEED alumna Antonia Sánchez de Tolimán

En dicho evento hubo dos paneles, el panel de “Innovación educativa”, en el cual participo el Washington Center y por parte del Programa Semilla de la Universidad de Georgetown, Claudia Valeria Uribe, la Coordinadora Nacional, compartio sus experiencias de  cómo innovamos con las becas Semilla.  

El segundo panel de “Innovación en materia internacional” se tuvo la presencia del  Dr. Arnulfo Valdivia, Coordinador de Asuntos Internacionales del Estado de México; Dr. Kai Bethke, Representante de la Organización de las Naciones Unidas para el Desarrollo Industrial en México y del Mtro. Manuel Martínez Lazo, Presidente de la Asociación Mexicana de Estudios Internacionales.
Agradecemos a la Secretaría de Desarrollo Sustentable su invitación a este evento y todo el apoyo que nos han brindado.

SEED Dominican Republic Alumni Celebrate US Musical Diversity
En el marco de la celebración del Día de la Independencia de los Estados Unidos, El Centro Franklin de la Embajada en Santo Domingo realizó una gira musical de tres conciertos denominada “Ritmo de la Diversidad” a los cuales invitaron especialmente a los exbecarios y red de apoyo de los programas de becas CASS y Semilla en la República Dominicana. Los conciertos se realizaron en San Pedro de Macorís, Santo Domingo y Santiago de los Caballeros, con la participación artística de los grupos musicales “Los Cenzontles” y “Terrance Simien and The Zydeco Experience” con música chicana de California y zydeco de Luisiana representativa
de la fusión de culturas en los Estados Unidos. Leer más

Foreign students learn from local farm
Students from Central America got an idea this summer of what it's like to farm in Wisconsin... Read more

Educational Exchanges are a Major Component of our Public Diplomacy Efforts
Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, Judith McHale, shared the State Department’s perspective that international exchanges and educational opportunities are crucial to U.S. competitiveness in the global marketplace. In her remarks, Ms. McHale said that ensuring the U.S. remains "the premier destination for foreign students studying abroad…is an imperative for our nation." Promoting understanding between countries, and instilling feelings of goodwill towards the U.S. in students who might one day lead countries or create businesses were topics she stressed. She emphasized the depth and breadth of U.S. higher education, saying “U.S. higher education has an outstanding reputation internationally because of its high quality, responsiveness, openness, and diversity.” She also noted that having international students come to the U.S. to study brings economic benefits and that other countries have improved their outreach and recruitment efforts in an effort to attract foreign students to their institutions. 

Under Secretary McHale’s remarks are available at: http://www.state.gov/r/remarks/2011/166730.htm

A Family Away From Home
Since 2004, the Hathaways - he a retired truck driver and she a school teacher - have hosted more than 10 students from the SEED (Scholarships for Education and Economic Development) program.  When Kent and Sue Hathaway decided to take a Spanish course at MHCC seven years ago, they didn't know they were on a path to become host parents for several Spanish-speaking students.   Sue Hathaway says, "We thought it's the only good use we've ever heard of for foreign aid funds"
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Looking Back to Home
Three Mexican exchange students in the SEED (Scholarships for Education and Economic Development) program are immersed  in their studies at Mt. Hood Community College - but remain emotionally close to their families and hometowns.  They also share a common bond of wanting to return home to help their communities.
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Joanne Joseph helps Haitian Small Businesses Access Interest Free Loans
Ms. Joanne Joseph studied Agribusiness for Export with a USAID-funded CASS scholarship in Modesto Junior College, California. She returned to Haiti in June 2010, with the firm belief that, “As a young leader I knew I could really make a change.”
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Program Alumnus Stephanie Duroseau Reunites Families in Haiti
After the January 12, 2010, earthquake, I started using my new English and Spanish skills to help those who couldn’t understand the languages of the foreign helpers who came to help Haiti.  After a few days of volunteering I become the Child Protection Manager and helped the American Refugee Committee set up 7 children child friendly spaces in Delmas, Terrain Acra, and Fonds Parisien. My program was visited by UNICEF Executive Chief Anthony Lake and was chosen as the best organized and successful child friendly space project in Port au Prince.
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International Day Bridges Cultures in Chicago
What do you get when you take college students from 14 countries including El Salvador, Indonesia, Haiti, Honduras, and Nicaragua and bring them to a small alternative school on Chicago's west side? You get an immersion of cultures, a diffusion of stereotypes, and a group of youth ready to learn. That's exactly what happened in January at ASA's first International Day. 
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Success Story of Luis Diaz - Guatemala Cycle 2001-2003
My name is Luis Felipe Díaz Cabrera, and I studied Industrial Engineering Technology at Northcentral Technical College, in the city of Wausau, Wisconsin from 2001 to 2003.My story begins in the CASS/SEED program when I was informed that he had been awarded a scholarship to study at a two-year community college in the United States of America.  It was a joy for me and my parents to have received this news of great magnitude because it was an opportunity for my personal development and that of my family because we are a poor family and as such could not continue my studies at a university.
Read the story in English
Leer el cuento en español

Alumni Invited to Celebrate Independence Day
The United States Embassy in the Dominican Republic has invited CASS and SEED alumni to join the 4th of July festivities in Cibao, San Pedro de Macoris and Santo Domingo.  Headlining the festivities will be concerts by the renowned musical groups, “Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience” from the State of Louisiana and the band “Los Cenzontles” who play Mexican-American music. Watch the videos.

CASS Deputy Mayor Alumnus Encourages SEED Scholars to Succeed
On May 13, 2011, CASS alumnus (and Deputy Mayor) Cristina Eusebio Mateo challenged all new SEED scholars to succeed at the Cycle 2011 Scholarship Announcement Ceremony.  In her commencement speech to the new students, she shared how her new technical and leadership skills have not only developed her skills as a teacher-trainer but have also resulted in her being elected to be the Deputy Mayor of her town of Piedra Blanca, Dominican Republic. Read more.

American Society for Quality Recognizes Important Contributions of SEED Program Alumnus
El tesonero trabajo y el aporte de sus conocimientos a la industria farmacéutica de Honduras del joven  Edgar Vargas, será reconocido por la Organización Americana de Calidad y Broome Community College (BCC) de la Universidad Estatal de Nueva York. Leer más.

United States Grants Scholarships to the Dominican Republic
La Agencia de los Estados Unidos para el Desarrollo Internacional hizo entrega de 49 becas a jóvenes y profesionales dominicanos, en un acto realizado en el hotel V Centenario. Leer más.

United States Agency for International Development Awards 49 SEED Scholarships
Santo Domingo-  El día 13 de mayo se celebró una ceremonia del Programa de Becas “Scholarships for Education and Economic Development” (SEED – Becas para la Educación y el Desarrollo Económico).  James Watson, Director Interino de la Agencia de los Estados Unidos para el Desarrollo Internacional (USAID) en el país, tuvo a su cargo el discurso de apertura y la entrega de las becas a los beneficiados. Leer más.

USAID Mission Director James Watson States that the SEED Program Represents the Long term Commitment of the United States to Strengthen Education for Disadvantaged Youth
Me siento muy complacido de asistir a esta ceremonia de entrega de becas para estudiar en los Estados Unidos a jóvenes bachilleres, profesores y personal de salud de la República Dominicana.  Estas becas se otorgan bajo el programa SEED  realizado con fondos de la Agencia de los Estados Unidos para el Desarrollo Internacional (USAID) y llevado a cabo por la Universidad de Georgetown,  en Washington,  D.C.  Este programa representa el compromiso continuo  del Gobierno de los Estados Unidos para fomentar la educación en jóvenes de escasos recursos.  Apoya a la vez los sectores de educación y salud en sus pilares esenciales, como son la educación básica y la atención primaria de salud. Leer más.

Celebrating Twenty (20) Years of CASS/SEED USAID Scholarships in Nicaragua
Desde 1991, USAID ha brindado 1,049 becas para líderes comunitarios y juveniles de Nicaragua que provienen de poblaciones de escasos recursos e históricamente ignoradas, para estudiar diplomados o carreras técnicas de dos años, un año o seis meses en universidades o escuelas técnicas de los Estados Unidos. Esto equivale a una inversión de 30 millones de dólares. A través del programa de la Asociación Cooperativa de Estados para Becas (CASS, por sus siglas en inglés), en conjunto con la Universidad de Georgetown, se entrenan a los estudiantes en una amplia variedad de campos relacionados al desarrollo, incluyendo educación, salud, administración, agua y salubridad, agricultura, control de calidad manufacturera y administración ambiental. Read more

Ismael Torres, quien recibió una beca de dos años para estudiar Tecnología Acuífera en la Universidad Hillsborough en Tampa, Florida es ahora el director de control de calidad en Mariscos Sahlman, una de las plantas procesadoras de mariscos más grandes de Nicaragua. Profesionales entrenados como Ismael atraen el tipo de inversiones que necesita Nicaragua para generar empleos y oportunidades para todos los nicaragüenses. Torres dijo: "El haber participado en el programa CASS me ha abierto un mundo de oportunidades. Además de lo que aprendí en mi campo de estudio, he aprendido computación y a hablar en inglés, dos cosas necesarias para triunfar en mi carrera".

Event in Mexico Highlights Importance of SEED Program Partnership to Strengthen Indigenous Education
El secretario de Educación, Javier Álvarez Ramos, entregó reconocimiento a más de 680 jóvenes maestros indígenas que lograron su titulación a través de CENEVAL y de la Universidad Pedagógica Nacional. En este mismo evento, encabezaron por la directora General de Educación Indígena, Rosalinda Morales, la Rectora de la UPN, Sylvia Ortega, y la directora General de Formación Continua de Maestros en Servicio, Leticia Gutiérrez Corona de la Secretaría de Educación Pública, entregaron títulos a 8 maestros que obtuvieron su grado mediante el diseño de propuestas pedagógicas. Read more

SEED Student Comments on Participation in the 2011 Clinton Global Initiative Summit
One of the most exciting things I’ve done since becoming a SEED scholar was being selected to attend the 2011 Clinton Global Initiative-University (CGI-U) in April of 2011.  This experience was an amazing way for me to brainstorm strategies to implement my Community Action Plan when I go back home.   I will tell people about it, get them involved, knock on doors and ask for support! - Doneyda Canales Urbina, Kentucky State University (Nicaragua)


Six USAID-funded SEED scholars at the opening session of the Clinton Global Initiative-University

United States Ambassador Stephan G. McFarland Awards SEED Scholarships to Guatemalan Youth, Rural Professionals and their Families
Cuarenta y seis guatemaltecos recibieron simbólicamente de manos del Embajador de los Estados Unidos en Guatemala, Stephen G. McFarland, la beca a que se hicieron acreedores por parte del Programa de Becas “Semilla”, en la Casa de Retiros La Asunción.

SEED Agribusiness Students Harvest Own Crops
At Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC), SEED students proudly show the crops that they planted, cared for and harvested.  Currently, 37 SEED students study Agribusiness for Export at Fox Valley.  In addition to classroom courses such as Plant and Soil Science, Vegetable Oil into Biodiesel and Agribusiness Sales & Marketing, SEED students learn by doing by growing their own crops on the campus farm. Read more

SEED Scholars Welcomed to CSU Dominguez Hills
The first cohort of awardees of the Scholarships for Education and Economic Development (SEED) have arrived for a six-month course of study at California State University, Dominguez Hills. The SEED Scholars, who are from Central America and the Dominican Republic, will examine vector-borne disease control in an exclusive program taught by university faculty and staff, as well as Los Angeles County health professionals.  Read more

SEED Program Launched at Cal State Dominguez Hills 
The Center for Intercultural Education and Development (CIED) of Georgetown awarded a grant to the College of Extended & International Education (CEE) of California State University, Dominguez Hills to train Scholarships for Education and Economic Development (SEED Program) scholars in 2011. Read more

Eight SEED Students Invited to Participate in the 2011 Clinton Global Initiative (CGIU) Conference
The Center for Intercultural Education and Development (CIED) Scholarships for Education and Economic Development (SEED) Program is pleased to announce that eight Cycle 2009 scholars have been invited to attend the 2011 Clinton Global Initiative (CGI U) Conference to be held from April 1st to 3rd, 2011 at the University of California, San Diego in California. Read more

SEED Mexico Newsletter for December 2010

University of Arizona Program Supports Educators in Indigenous Communities
The SEED Project, a teacher-education program at the UA, informs visiting teachers from Mexico on different pedagogical information and strategies that may be used to improve instruction and learning among students in rural and remote communities. Read more

The SEED Program is funded by the United States Agency for International Development