Welcome, Organizations and Professionals
Thank you for taking the time to consider collaborating with a student as part of our Global Scholars Diploma Program, a program conducted by the Columbus Council on World Affairs (CCWA).
Years 1 and 2
- The first two years are spent at face-to-face events where local experts share their personal experiences with culture, jobs with global components, and issues around the world.
- Students engage in various collaborative activities within the theme of the event, learning and exercising their cultural fluency and competency.
Year 3
- The program culminates with a Take Action Project in the third and final year that demonstrates the abilities that students have cultivated over the course of the first two years.
- Students choose a global issue about which they are passionate, and they pursue a leadership role in making a positive impact on it at a local level.
- The project consists of four main parts:
| Researching an issue that is important both globally and locally. | Collaborating with a professional and/or organization to provide expertise on their global issue. |
| Designing and implementing an action that makes a positive impact on the local community. | Collecting data to demonstrate the impact of the project. |
- Although independent and student-directed, throughout the project, students are supported by a CCWA advisor who guides them through the development and execution of their project.
- Year 3 students ultimately present their experiences to their peers and the community at the Take Action Project Fair and Graduation held in April.
What collaborating with a GSD student looks like
Students are required to collaborate with a professional or organization with expertise in their chosen global issue. The collaboration can include:
- Asking for information, suggestions, advice, or to look over something
- Developing and possibly implementing the TAP together
- Talking over Zoom, email, a phone call, etc.
- Another creative idea that is approved by the CCWA Year 3 Advisor
Students are required to provide evidence that a professional has agreed to collaborate with them as well as evidence of the actual collaboration. Following the collaboration, a CCWA Year 3 Advisor will email a Professional Verification Form to the professional/organization.
What students say about Global Scholars
The Global Scholars Program really continued to push my curiosity and encouraged me to continue to ask questions on how we can continue to advocate for more supportive and understanding environments...To better facilitate more democratic spaces where people feel like they're able to bring their backgrounds and identities and experiences with them...And that acknowledgement allows them to utilize their autonomy to operate within those kinds of spaces in the way that serves them best. ~ Emily, 2019 GSD Graduate
My experience with GSD has, without a doubt, made me a better person. Through the three years of coursework and global project-based learning, the Global Scholars Diploma taught me how to analyze problems from multiple angles and come up with creative solutions. The emphasis on critical thinking, research, and collaboration helped me develop a solid foundation for tackling challenges, both in my academic journey and beyond.
~ Mimi, 2025 GSD Graduate
These past years of Global Scholars have meant so much to me. One of the best parts was meeting students from other schools and towns I normally wouldn't connect with. Those friendships showed me how even nearby communities can have very different perspectives, and I still stay in touch with many of those friends today. ~ Teddy, 2026 GSD Graduate
About the Columbus Council on World Affairs
Mission and Vision
Mission: To create engaged global citizens, leaders, and changemakers.
Vision: To transform the Columbus region into a globally fluent community where everyone thrives.
History
The Council is a non-partisan, non-profit organization founded in 1975 by twelve forward-thinking individuals representing a cross-section of our community: business, academic, and civic.
Operations and Funding
The Council is funded by a combination of service fees from participating schools (20%) and contributions from individuals, corporations, government grants, and foundations (80%).
Interested in Sharing Your Story?
Through the Global Scholars Diploma, students in Central Ohio are exploring cultures, investigating complex global issues, and discovering how every career has the potential to make an impact beyond local commuities.
You can help bring these lessons to life. Whether you've built an international career, have a unique cultural perspective to share, or work on issues that connect communities around the globe, your experiences can inspire students to think differently about the world—and about their place in it.
Join our growing network of speakers and help students see what it means to become engaged global citizens.
If you believe your experiences could help students better understand the world and the people in it, we'd love to hear from you.
Complete our Speaker Interest Form to join our network of Global Speakers.
More information?
Mission Partners
