Global & Environmental Studies Certificate (GESC) Class of 2024

The GESC is a comprehensive program of study based on the four learning pillars of the Alvord Center Engaged Citizenship Matrix: Seek Knowledge, Enhance Understanding, Develop Skills, and Take Action.

Kayla Anderson

Bloomfield, CT

Capstone Title: Innovation in Education: An AI Persona’s Approach to Place-Based Learning

"My perspective on what the definition of environmental sustainability and stewardship has bloomed after these experiences because I was able to spread my knowledge with my peers and absorb the knowledge from the people around me."

Madison Bromberg

West Hartford, CT

Group Capstone: Food Bags for Food Insecurity

"I have a newfound awareness that when the environment is preserved so are humans. ... I learned that inhabiting Earth requires me to meet new people and learn what makes humans similar and different."

Luke Daugherty

Washington, DC

Capstone Title: Foreign Policy Coursework for CL Social Science Seminar: The U.S. Presidential Election

"My development into a more global and environmental scholar this year played an instrumental part in my academics and extracurriculars that I truly have this program to thank for."

Isabella Delach

Barrington, IL

Capstone Title: Immigrants at Loomis: Their Stories

"Through these experiences I have been able to put myself in uncomfortable situations through breaking language barriers, talking through cultural misunderstandings, and learning nuances in different languages."

Olivia Dunlea

Farmington, CT

Capstone Title: Indigenous Land Use in Connecticut

"The GESC program ... has invited me into a world where we question everything and strive to understand the root of each problem."

Jayden Furstein

Piedmont, CA

Group Capstone: Bread and Blue Zones

"Beyond just enhancing my knowledge, the GESC inspired a sense of personal responsibility to take action at the local level."

Evan Gackstetter

San Francisco, CA

Capstone Title: Sidewalk Stories by Evan Gackstetter

"I believe all of my work in this program has culminated into what I first wrote as wanting 'hands-on experience across global and environmental disciplines'."

Zaylie Gore

New York, NY

Group Capstone: Learning in Harmony : A Musical Database

"[My capstone project] has challenged me to think critically about the intersection of music, culture, and sustainability, pushing me to expand my perspective and embrace interdisciplinary approaches to learning."

Elena Higgins

Greenwich, CT

Capstone Title: French Language Tables

"I have gained great insight into global and environmental issues because I participated in GESC, and I greatly appreciate what the program has taught me."

Adrienne Hodson

Avon, CT

Group Capstone: Loomis Chaffee Community Dorm Snack Project

"My senior capstone was a fabulous way to finish out my time at Loomis."

Michael Hoffman

Windsor, CT

Group Capstone: Alvord, an AI-Powerd Place-based Learning Curriculum Aide

"I've had the opportunity to experience other cultures, meet new people and make strong friendships, and in courses like CL environmental science, as well as the GESC seminars, I've come to better understand our impact on the environment as a community, as well as my own personal footprint."

Mercuri Lam

Cypress, TX

Capstone Title: Global perspectives through Film Studies

"Ultimately, doing this capstone allowed me to delve deeper into my passions and reinforced to me my attitude as I approach new chapters of my life."

Grace Lund

Fairfield, CT

Capstone Title: French Language Tables

"I was able to look at our sustainability efforts with a new perspective, bring new ideas to the table, and learn how to minimize our carbon footprint."

Lily Magliacano

New Canaan, CT

Capstone Title: Loomis Chaffee AI Persona

"The GESC program helped me grow as a global and environmental scholar, as I gained knowledge about the world around me by attending lectures and events exploring local community dynamics, environmental challenges, and global issues."

Preston McNulty Socha

Farmington, CT

Group Capstone: Learning in Harmony : A Musical Database

"I set out to embrace the discomfort of new experiences, widen my perspectives, and analyze how our cultural encounter and exchange connect all of us."

Charlotte Millman

Skaneateles, NY

Group Capstone: Loomis Chaffee Community Dorm Snack Project

"Being a global and environmental scholar means that I can actually act on the things I have learned, not just let my knowledge lay idle in my mind."

Chelsea Ndzana-Zogo

Bridgeport, CT

Group Capstone: African Cooking Classes at Loomis Chaffee

"I truly grew to be a global and environmental citizen on my trip to Costa Rica."

Chiagoziem "Chichi" Oreh

Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Group Capstone: African Cooking Classes at Loomis Chaffee

"The plethora of opportunities within the GESC program created a ticket for me to explore the world from our little corners here at Loomis."

Elizabeth Purdy

Santa Barbara, CA

Group Capstone: Bread and Blue Zones

"It has been a profound personal and academic growth experience, enhancing my understanding of nutritional science and global dietary patterns."

Sofia Rincon

Glastonbury, CT

Group Capstone: Food Bags for Food Insecurity

"I grew a lot and have a much better understanding of food insecurity and the negative implications it can have on one's physical and mental health."

Mina Ruffle

Dhaka, Bangladesh

Group Capstone: Learning in Harmony : A Musical Database

"This program has pushed me to be more active in my community and I will forever be grateful for that."

Annie Shactman

Group Capstone: Loomis Chaffee Community Dorm Snack Project

"It was important for me to embrace the GESC program and the global perspectives it offers while also grounding those differences in our shared environment, so that when I leave Loomis Chaffee and want to create positive change, I can have a better understanding of how to seek knowledge, enhance understanding, take action, and develop skills."

Ella Somberg

South Glastonbury, CT

Group Capstone: Cultural Cuisine

"[The GESC program] has also allowed me to be in touch with my own cultural identity, by giving me the opportunity to discuss my familial ties to cuisine and realize how important my culture is to my family members."

Sofia Sorce

Washington, CT

Capstone Title: A Taste of España: Cooking, Culture, and Community

"My perspective on global issues has also undergone a profound transformation."

Mandarin Wallace

Winnetka, IL

Group Capstone: Cultural Cuisine

"This project allowed us to connect with our cultures as well as educate a portion of the Loomis community on the similarities and differences of global food."
The Mission of the Alvord Center is to develop globally and environmentally engaged leaders through programming that enhances understanding and teaches action-oriented skills.