1. GLOBAL HEALTH CONNECTIONS INTERNATIONAL
An Innovative Pilot that
Encourages Minority Students to
Embrace Careers in STEM
(Science, Technology, Engineering & Math)
2. OUR VISION
To build a global network of students and professionals that collaborates with
communities to develop solutions that improve basic living conditions.
OUR MISSION
To eradicate health and economic disparities in the global community by
establishing an international advocacy network that builds and strengthens
partnerships with academia, business, government, and other non-government
organizations (NGOs).
BACKGROUND
Global Health Connections International
(GHCI), a 501c3 nonprofit organization
headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina,
serves as a clearinghouse for education and
career opportunities in global health.
Founded in 2011 by retired Dow Chemical
executive, Enrico “Rick” Copeland, GHCI
acknowledges the need for more
professionals in the global health sector and
the lack of racial and ethnic minorities filling
those roles.
While traveling to Africa, India, and South
America, Mr. Copeland envisions supplying
those under-served populations with the
next cadre of global health professionals. As
a conduit between humanitarian advocates,
GHCI seeks to provide solutions for healthy
living in all communities around the world.
3. Global Health is more than medicine, it is the intersection of medical and social sciences with a
borderless scope. From a medical perspective, Global Health addresses the pathology of diseases
and promotes prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. The social science perspective, which includes
field like economics, public policy, demography, epidemiology, and sociology, addresses the
determinants and distribution of health worldwide. According to The World Health Organization
(WHO), the world faces a shortage of 4.3 million health professionals required for delivering
essential health care services to populations in need. GHCI's programs aim to supply the next cadre
of Global Health professionals to meet the needs of this ever-increasing shortage.
Looking Forward is a mentoring program that focuses on minority
students in elementary, middle school, and high school who are learning
Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (STEM) curriculum. GHCI
leverages our intern's experiences and our extensive professional
network to discuss the importance of STEM and career opportunities in
global health with minority students. This mentoring model is student to
student and professional to student.
Staying Connected is GHCI's Student Ambassadors Program. GHCI
ambassadors build relationships by sharing their global experiences with
others. The students visit colleges and universities to connect with students
and faculty to discuss their global health internships and experiences from
traveling abroad. These connections will result in lasting professional
networks as well as develop the next cadre of global health professions
committed to Making Differences In Lives.
Partnership Access Research Training (PART) is a diversity capacity
building program. A comprehensive, cost effective, solution based
approach to developing a more diverse team of professionals to meet the
challenges in developing markets around the globe. GHCI in partnerships
with other organizations seeks to provide practical hands on experience to
students in the STEM disciplines.
For more information on GHCI programs, visit: www.ghcinternational.org
4. The United States of America has a detrimental lack of minority students participating in
STEM related courses , classes, and majors.
The shortage of STEM-educated minority students leaves the world deficient of minority
professionals educated and trained to meet the disparities both domestic and abroad.
There are agencies and organizations that have funding and opportunities for minority
students who have an interest in STEM-related curriculum, however are unable to
connect with these students.
5. Through Looking Forward, GHCI is committed to increasing awareness of STEM
opportunities to minority students, from grade school through high school. The program
is designed to be the premier student talent pipeline of choice for organizations working
to increase the number of minority STEM professionals through both education and
employment opportunities.
Partnering with companies that provide sustainable solutions to the clean water
alternatives and hygiene-related diseases, GHCI has its newest initiative presents
Looking Forward H2O. This new initiative will illuminate how STEM impacts water and
sanitation issues to. The program will partner with both local middle to high schools,
selecting 50 students a year to participate in the program. Looking Forward H2O
seeks to develop a model program that can be replicated by combining elements from
all our programs in this one project with a discrete sustainability.
Looking Forward H2O will include interactive learning through the following:
After-school Tutoring Visits to Technical Laboratories STEM Career Day Forums
at local universities
Lessons on Economic Principles Professional & Collegiate Student
e.g. Supply & Demand Mentors
6.
7. GHCI seeks to achieve the following quantitative and qualitative outcomes with the
Looking Forward program:
50 Students/Yr. 2,000 Hours /Yr. STEM-Focused Learning through
25 Students/Sem. (40 Hours/Student) Looking Forward H2O
8 Tutors/Mentors/Yr. 320 Hours/Yr. Tutoring, Learning
Presentations, & Mentoring
4 Tutor/Mentors/Sem. 40 Hours/Tutor
50 Students/Yr. 464 Hours/Yr. Services learning projects re:
8Tutor/Mentors/Yr. 8 Hours/Each Sustainability Issues via
NGOs like The Soap Project
Minority students exposed to the challenges and opportunities offered by STEM careers in
conquering global disparities.
Young learners with a deepened understanding of sustainability issues and how these issues are
being addressed using service and renewable technologies.
Exposure to STEM through a program that provides tutoring, mentoring, site visits, and service
learning experiences.
A multi-tiered mentoring program to encourage and increase minority student participation in STEM-
related careers..
