Analyzing development strategies towards a more sustainable, equitable world

Mid-career professionals, scholars and aspiring development professionals from 8 countries unite as the Global Development MPS class of 2023. Each bringing unique specialities — from food security and inclusive economic growth to renewable energy and environmental sustainability, and more — the class will take a transdisciplinary approach to enhance their technical and practical skills in development in order to tackle the world's greatest challenges around the globe.

Class of 2023

Adina Aamir headshot
Adina Aamir

Grand challenge: Engaged development and impact evaluation to increase economic opportunities in developing countries

Afiavi Caca (Calista) AKIBODE headshot
Afiavi Caca "Calista" Akibode

Grand challenge: Gender equality and women's empowerment in the food system

CALS logo
Maryam Amini

Grand challenge: Impact evaluation of development projects in underdeveloped countries

Addis Abera headshot
Addis Abera Ayalew

Grand challenge: Climate change and child undernutrition in Ethiopia

Kristin Benson headshot
Kristin Benson

Food security and sustainable food systems that empower farmers and improve livelihoods

Mend-Amar Biniye headshot
Mend-Amar Biniye

Promoting sustainable development and social well-being for all

Allison Cooper headshot
Allison Cooper

Grand challenge: Building inclusive, resilient, and climate-smart food systems that catalyze agriculture-led economic growth

Andrea Durmiaki
Andrea Durmiaki

Grand challenge: Equitable opportunities and fair access to experiential learning/global education opportunities

Alexandra Everhart Gearing headshot
Alexandra Everhart Gearing

Grand challenge: Justice for vulnerable populations through equitable water distribution across agriculture, industry, and households; protecting our freshwater ecosystems in the face of climate change

Martin Faki headshot
Martin Faki

Grand challenge: Interdisciplinary education and developmental practice programs as instruments for inclusive sustainable development

Jesse Fowler headshot
Jesse Fowler

Grand challenge: Stronger economic sustainability with improved postsecondary education in Latin America and the Caribbean

Gretchen	Hanson headshot
Gretchen Hanson

Grand challenge: Pluralism in agricultural extension and advisory services and ways to incorporate farmer-centered and participatory approaches to increase smallholder farmers’ agency in decision making; opportunities for youth involvement in agrifood systems

Jackson Hart headshot
Jackson Hart

Grand challenge: Environmental sustainability of agriculture; food sovereignty and economic independence in smallholder farming communities; optimization of controlled environment agriculture

Rashmi Kanthi headshot
Rashmi Kanthi

Grand challenge: Research and Evaluation to ensure sustained development, food security, poverty elimination, better policy design and implementation; Global partnerships for inclusive and equitable access to nutrition, health and education

David Ngam headshot
David Arnaud Ngam A Kibeng

Grand challenge: Youth empowerment, innovation and policy adaptation

Jackie Sayegh headshot
Jackie Sayegh

Grand challenge: Empowering displaced women and youths; indigenous coping strategies; associational social structures

Hannah Schwarz headshot
Hannah Schwarz

Grand challenge: Participatory research and project design that engages marginalized communities, particularly women and girls, to define problems and design development solutions