A Personal Approach to Thinking Globally: Levermore Global Scholars

In today’s increasingly interconnected world, leaders must have a global perspective. It’s a bedrock belief at Adelphi and the idea behind the Levermore Global Scholars (LGS) program, a learning community for top students who are committed to understanding and solving problems that affect people everywhere.

LGS builds global awareness through classroom study, events and conferences at the United Nations, internships, and study abroad. Focusing on issues like climate change, sustainability, world health, poverty, peacebuilding and human rights, it enhances leadership skills and critical-thinking abilities and promotes a commitment to service.

Admission to the Levermore Global Scholars program is highly competitive and open to students in all majors. It includes LGS-only sections of the required first-year courses and special classes that count toward fulfilling General Education requirements; all emphasize open and spirited discussion. Scholars are also required to graduate speaking at least one additional language.

Carolina Medina, who is profiled in this issue of From My Desk, is just one of the Levermore Global Scholars who have had life-changing experiences studying abroad. Others have done archaeological fieldwork in Crete, conducted chemistry research in Poland, studied sustainable development in Costa Rica, and done volunteer work in Senegal.

While study abroad isn’t required, it is an extremely valuable part of the LGS program. “We strongly encourage our LGS students to study abroad,” said the program’s administrative director, Peter DeBartolo. “It promotes empathy and solidarity and helps our students gain a better understanding of how their lives and futures are interconnected with others around the world.

“It’s a transformative experience for our students,” he continued, “one that leaves a lasting impression on how they see and think about our world.”