Two University of Iowa (UI) College of Education students, Olga Colmenero Carrillo and Josie Mbaye, are using their personal experiences of growth, international exploration, and educational challenges to create positive change and address learning barriers in their home state of Iowa.
Recently awarded a prestigious Gilman Alumni Changemaker Grant by the Gilman International Scholarship Program, they are set to launch a community initiative called All Voices. This project aims to support volunteer English teachers through comprehensive training and provide free tutoring for English language learners - a project that embodies the Gilman program's core mission: empowering students to leverage global experiences into meaningful local change, breaking down barriers, and creating educational opportunities for underserved communities.
Breaking Barriers, Creating Opportunities
Colmenero Carrillo, a first-generation Mexican- American student from Muscatine, Iowa, never imagined studying abroad until a mentor encouraged her to expand her horizons. Similarly, Mbaye, from rural Slater, Iowa, once believed international travel was beyond her reach.
Colmenero Carrillo's journey began with a transformative study abroad experience in London made possible by a Gilman Scholarship. This summer faculty-led program was not just an academic exercise but a personal revelation.
"I never believed someone like me could go so far," she said.
Since that first experience, she has participated in three additional short-term faculty-led programs, each journey pushing her to grow and challenge her perceptions. One of her goals is to ensure more students know about resources, such as the Gilman Scholarship, that can make studying abroad a reality.
Mbaye's international experiences were equally transformative.
“The Gilman program has fundamentally changed my life,” she said. “With their support, I studied abroad in Chile for a whole semester, participated in a Global Food Security Seminar in New Zealand, and am currently serving as an ambassador for the program.”
"As a student from rural Iowa, I never imagined I would leave the country, let alone live abroad."
Her semester in Chile opened her eyes to global perspectives on education, particularly around language learning. Working with students who spoke Haitian Creole, Italian, and Japanese, she gained insights into the complexities of language education that would later inform her community work.
“As a student from rural Iowa, I never imagined I would leave the country, let alone live abroad,” Mbaye said. “Throughout my time at Iowa, I’ve been able to make my family proud by pursuing a path different than their own, like pursuing graduate school and studying abroad.”
Mentorship and Leadership
The University of Iowa's supportive network was instrumental in their growth. Amira Nash, associate director of school partnerships and global education initiatives in the UI College of Education, became an important mentor, encouraging them to explore international opportunities and engage with UI organizations.
“Amira has been an incredible support throughout my academic journey,” said Colmenero Carrillo. “She helped me study abroad and always offered opportunities to get involved in the College of Education.”
For Mbaye, who initially withdrew from the university after her first semester, finding support and getting actively involved on campus were crucial to her success when she returned.
"I really didn't have much of a support system in Iowa City or people who could help me navigate college, so I really struggled,” explained Mbaye. “I ended up managing at a local McDonald's, working with kids from local high schools, which is how I realized I wanted to be a teacher. When I first returned to the university, Amira was one of the first people I met. Without her, my experience would have been wildly different. I was still unsure if I would be able to make college work this time around, and she encouraged me to get involved in both Aspiring Educators, a UI student organization, and studying abroad."
From 2023-24, Mbaye served as the president of Aspiring Educators, while Colmenero Carrillo was elected as president for the 2024-2025 academic year. Their frequent meetings for events and projects fostered a strong collaborative relationship and strengthened their commitment to educational empowerment and community engagement.
A Vision for Accessible Education
The All Voices project emerged from their shared experiences and observations. Mbaye's two years of teaching English to immigrant and refugee adults in Johnson County revealed gaps in language education resources. Learning about the Gilman Alumni Changemaker Grant she saw an opportunity to create meaningful change. Their collaborative project aims to support English language learners by creating comprehensive tutor training resources, developing culturally relevant materials, and establishing free weekly tutoring sessions.
"English should never be a barrier to anyone's success," they said.
"This project marks my first opportunity to make a tangible difference in my community. As someone who has experienced the challenges of being a minority, first-generation, and low-income student, I understand the importance of representation and access to opportunities."
"This project marks my first opportunity to make a tangible difference in my community," said Colmenero Carrillo. “As someone who has experienced the challenges of being a minority, first-generation, and low-income student, I understand the importance of representation and access to opportunities. By working on this project, I hope to discover new ways to help and become more involved in my community. This hands-on experience will help me develop the skills and knowledge necessary to make a lasting impact in my future career as a teacher.”
International Programs (IP) at the University of Iowa (UI) is committed to enriching the global experience of UI students, faculty, staff, and the general public by leading efforts to promote internationally oriented teaching, research, creative work, and community engagement. IP provides support for international students and scholars, administers scholarships and assistance for students who study, intern, or do research abroad, and provides funding opportunities and grant-writing assistance for faculty engaged in international research. IP shares their stories through various media, and by hosting multiple public engagement activities each year.