Introducing the Teaching Assistants for the GCI LEAD Challenge 2021
Updated: Jul 15, 2021
The GCI LEAD Challenge is a virtual 6-day program that focuses on Leadership, Ethics, Advocacy and Design Thinking. This year's 36 participants are welcomed to the GCI Community by 9 Teaching Assistants (TAs). All 9 TAs are GCI Ambassadors—once GCI Fellows who attended our flagship program, the GCI Summit—and continue to be vital members of the GCI Community. Many hold leadership positions as members of the Ambassador Advisory Council (AAC) or as Class Agents (representatives for the Fellowship cohort year).
TAs are proactive leaders who are enthusiastic about other cultures. They put their communication, leadership and problem-solving skills to the test each day of the program through mentoring and direct teaching responsibilities. Throughout the week, the TAs will be instrumental in working with a group of 4 participants as they develop a collaborative group project and create an advocacy campaign around a chosen non-profit organization.
We would like to thank all of our TAs who make it possible for GCI to engage, educate and empower our participants on their journeys to become global citizens.
Alvin
GCI 2015, AAC
Citizenship: Hong Kong
Secondary School: St. Joseph's College
University: University of Hong Kong
Alvin is a graduate of the University of Hong Kong, with double degrees in Arts and Law. He now plans to obtain a Postgraduate Certificate in Laws and qualify as a solicitor.
The GCI Summit 2015 gave Alvin the tools and words to think global and act local. He was able to put these tools to good use in 2018 when he co-founded a startup to develop navigational aid for the visually impaired in Hong Kong, which has since been funded by a government incubation program. Passionate about social entrepreneurship, Alvin completed his capstone undergraduate course by interning at PILnet, a global pro bono clearinghouse that effects social change in local communities via public interest law.
Alvin is an avid practitioner of Wing Chun, which he used to co-teach at his university residential college before the pandemic. Basketball and gaming are also his go-to hobbies.
David
GCI 2016, AAC
Citizenship: United States
Secondary School: Amino Jackie Robinson Charter High School
University: Georgetown University
David Gomez is a recent graduate of Georgetown University where he majored in Culture and Politics and minored in Japanese. Originally from South Central Los Angeles, David attended Animo Jackie Robinson Charter High School and was accepted into the GCI Fellowship 2016. In the same year, he was awarded the GSP Seed Funding Competition Award to develop portable shower systems supporting the displaced community in Los Angeles.
Throughout his time at Georgetown, David focused his efforts on uplifting the voices of low-income working-class communities. During his undergraduate career, David interned with various labor rights organizations like the Restaurant Opportunities Center of DC, Many Languages One Voice, and the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs. Now, David currently works as an internal organizer for the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) where he aims to uplift the voices of workers and increase their bargaining power.
Eita
GCI 2018
Citizenship: Japan
Secondary School: Tenafly High School
University: Babson College
Eita is 19 years old and is currently a rising second year college student. If you had to describe him in three words it would be: curious, passionate, and ambitious. Having been a 2018 GCI fellow, an avid traveler, and an immigrant to the United States, Eita thrives in environments that are multi-cultural. As such, he feels that GCI has and will continue to be an environment where he can grow alongside leaders of the future. Throughout his years in middle and high school, he was a competitive soccer player, traveling to Europe and South America to compete. Now, Eita immerses himself in the entrepreneurship education environment of Babson College. In his free time, he enjoys playing basketball, electric guitar, and cooking.
Elif
GCI 2017, AAC
Citizenship: Turkey, United States
Secondary School: Hisar School
University: University of California, Berkeley