It is with a bittersweet mix of gratitude and sadness that we announce the end of tenure for three luminary board members: Elise van Oss, Dr. Sue Henderson, and Dr. John Allegrante. They have all been invaluable assets to our organization for many years, dedicating their time, energy, and expertise. As we celebrate them, let us take a moment to reflect on their remarkable contributions and the lasting impact they made.
Elise’s involvement in international education extends far beyond our organization. In 1977-1978, she held a prestigious Fulbright Fellowship at the Education Research Center in Toyama, Japan. This experience sparked a lifelong passion for fostering cross-cultural understanding. She is a lifetime member of the National Fulbright Association and has continued to nurture this passion, serving as the Board President of the Greater NY Fulbright Alumni Chapter for four years.
Sue’s influence as a key thought leader and stakeholder in our higher education work cannot be overstated. Her understanding of the critical role education plays in transforming lives and societies, coupled with her commitment to excellence, guided our organization’s endeavors. As an advocate for equitable access to education, she has been instrumental in shaping our programs, initiatives, and policies.
John has generously hosted a number of students on walking tours of Columbia University, and participated in other hosting programs, ensuring that our students have had supportive connections with local residents during their time here. He most recently co-chaired the search for our new Executive Director (alongside Mariam Assefa), leaving us in Tuomas Hiltunen’s capable hands.
On behalf of the entire One To World community, we thank Elise, Sue, and John for all of their efforts and leadership these many years