Global Education Office

VCU Globe students attend the inaugural Global Leadership Summit in D.C.

Contact: Nicol Tinsley
VCU Global Education Office
(804) 828-6463
nctinsley@vcu.edu

Richmond, VA (May 5, 2026) — Virginia Commonwealth University's Global Education Office coordinated its first Global Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C. at the Institute of International Education (IIE) on April 17. Staff and leaders accompanied 28 VCU Globe  students as they participated in a global engagement activity designed to provide an international leadership develop experience that included networking opportunities and alumni engagement.

During the Summit, students engaged with global leaders and institutions, exploring how individuals and organizations in D.C. contribute to international cooperation and address global challenges across diverse fields such as education, health, policy, technology, business, the arts, etc. The students heard inspirational words from Jason Czyz, president and chief executive officer of IIE. Other in-person meetings included Carly Katz, assistant vice president of Federal Governmental Relations at VCU; DuBois Jennings, director of engagement for education at the New Zealand Embassy; Olivia Beech, arts and culture partner for African Renaissance and Diaspora Network and VCU Globe alumna; and Fred Williams, program analyst at Naval Reactors, also a VCU Globe alumnus.

Stephanie Tignor, executive director for global learning, stated, “The Summit gave students a unique opportunity to see themselves within the broader landscape of VCU's global engagement and to build invaluable connections with each other and with the many guest speakers. From conversations about VCU's government relations work on Capitol Hill, to insights from an embassy partner and a truly global organization like IIE, to the experiences shared by our remarkable alumni, students saw how the work we do in GEO is part of a larger ecosystem that connects them to leaders invested in their growth,” said Tignor.

The students networked with VCU Globe alumni and professionals, heard how their international experiences shaped their personal and professional journeys, and gained insight into the many career pathways a global perspective can open.

Speakers who engaged with the students virtually included VCU Globe alumnae Sarah Metzel of Tulane University Law School, and Katie Hines, who formerly served as a Peace Corps volunteer.

Students were able to recognize the value of intercultural experiences and observe how intentional cross-cultural engagement, exchange programs and international collaboration contribute to shared goals, mutual understanding and personal leadership development.

“The Global Leadership Summit empowered students to cultivate cultural agility and a global mindset as they prepare for their professional careers,” said Kelly Richard, assistant director of global learning. “Regardless of their backgrounds — whether domestic or international, undergraduate or graduate, engineer or artist — the Summit demonstrated how empathy and cross-cultural experiences sharpen leadership potential for everyone,” she said.   

Salma Ghafouri Varzaneh, a student in the College of Engineering who attended the Summit, benefitted greatly from the valuable perspectives imparted through the speaker engagement.

“For a day, I stepped beyond engineering and engaged with perspectives from the humanities, politics, and the arts,” she said. “Experiences like this, though brief, play a significant role in broadening our perspective. As someone working in smart cities at OpenCyberCity (OCC) Lab, I aim to shape a clearer vision of the future by designing more livable, inclusive, and interactive urban environments where people from diverse cultures and backgrounds can truly thrive. Interestingly, many of the discussions were closely aligned with my ongoing research paper on predictive management in smart city systems.”

“As a Persian, originally from Iran and currently pursuing a Ph.D. in electrical engineering at VCU, experiences like this are especially meaningful, as they allow me to connect diverse perspectives and contribute to a more globally inclusive vision of future cities,” she said.

The close location of the Summit gave the students an invaluable opportunity to attend an event that would benefit them in a multitude of ways.

“VCU’s proximity to Washington, D.C. is a real educational and cultural asset, giving students access to conversations and connections that expand their sense of what’s possible for their futures, whether in the U.S. or abroad,” said Tignor. “The Summit highlighted the importance of connections - with each other, with alumni who have gone before them, and with global communities.”

The day concluded as Jill Blondin, Ph.D., vice provost for global initiatives and an art historian, led a visit to the National Gallery of Art where the students engaged in a walk through and discussion of the “Dear America” exhibit, examining and reflecting on the American experience at home and within the world through the perspectives of artists over the course of 250 years. Students also had the option to explore the National Mall.

The National Gallery visit underscored a central theme of both the Summit and the VCU Globe program: that community, culture, and connections are essential to building global leadership.