Gallaudet forges relationships with the World Bank

One of our faculty members and the Office for Career Success are establishing relationships with the World Bank, an international financial institution that provides loans and grants to the governments of low- and middle-income countries.  

Dr. Hao Sun, an assistant professor in the Government and Public Affairs program of the School of Civic Leadership, Business, and Social Change, has been bringing his Master of Public Administration and International Development Master of Arts students to the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) every semester for the past two years. Two undergraduate students and a visiting scholar have also participated in one or more of these visits. Last summer, four of his students — Aanuoluwapo Omoleye, Zihan Wang, and Stephen Macdonald – attended the tenth annual World Bank Youth Summer Summit. 

This year’s visit coincided with the World Bank’s annual spring meeting. These multi-day excursions have exposed students to the world of international finance and global economic development and have given them an opportunity to interact with economists, analysts, and budget management personnel.  

Sun expressed his appreciation to Li Lou, a communications officer at the World Bank, who has facilitated the four visits to date. 

The Office for Career Success (OCS) received a special invitation from Ms. Shenna Ross of International Finance Corporation (IFC) Human Resources to attend a diversity celebration event at the World Bank on Wednesday, April 24. This event offered a unique opportunity for OCS staff to engage with the World Bank Group’s Disability Working Group and witness a captivating performance by Lachi, a renowned singer and award-winning social entrepreneur. Lachi’s message of empowerment and resilience, delivered through her music and fashion, left a lasting impression on everyone in attendance. 

Lachi, who is legally blind, uses her talents to uplift people with disabilities and raise awareness about disability culture. Her performance featured her song “Lift Me Up,” which pays tribute to Judith E. Heumann, known as “the mother of the disability rights movement,” and celebrates embracing partial blindness as a strength. Lachi’s perspective of embracing her blindness as a strength mirrors OCS’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, equity, and accessibility. OCS provides transformative career education and professional development, supporting individuals to embrace their unique experiences and abilities. 

Read Gallaudet’s appreciation of Judith E. Heumann upon her passing in March 2023. 

The World Bank Group, renowned as one of the world’s largest sources of funding, plays a pivotal role in providing financial assistance and innovative solutions to global challenges, aiming to eradicate poverty and ensure the planet’s future sustainability. This new collaboration with the World Bank presents an exciting opportunity to contribute to these efforts and establish meaningful connections for professional growth and development.  

The World Bank expressed interest in offering internship opportunities for Gallaudet students. OCS will facilitate a tour of the World Bank this fall. This partnership underscores our commitment to fostering inclusive and supportive career ecosystems, empowering individuals, and promoting diverse perspectives in the workforce, aiming to positively impact professional development and engagement.