Programs & Selected Academic Engagements

The African Research Collaborative (ARC) designs and supports research-centered global education programs that connect students, faculty, and institutions to Africa through ethically grounded, academically rigorous engagement. Our work spans faculty-led study abroad, student research initiatives, K–12 global education, and in-country youth programs.

ARC programs are built through collaboration with universities, school districts, and community partners and are informed by more than a decade of international education, research, and exchange experience.

ARC Program Areas

Faculty-Led Study Abroad

ARC partners with universities and faculty to design credit-bearing international programs aligned with course objectives and research goals. Programs integrate classroom instruction, field-based inquiry, institutional visits, and structured reflection.

Research & Cultural Exchange

ARC facilitates reciprocal exchanges connecting students, faculty, and institutions through collaborative research, teaching residencies, and scholarly dialogue across Africa and the Diaspora.

K–12 Global Education Travel

ARC designs standards-aligned international learning experiences for middle and high school students that emphasize cultural identity, leadership development, and global awareness.

In-Country Education & Youth Initiatives

ARC leads education-focused programs within African communities, including STEAM education, literacy initiatives, and youth leadership development.

Selected Academic & Research Engagements

University & Faculty-Led Exchanges

Teacher and student exchange programming with the University of Johannesburg (South Africa–U.S.)
Ghana-based university site visits and academic collaborations
Academic exchange and scholar engagement through the Mandela Washington Fellowship (United States)

K–12 & District Partnerships

Clayton County Public Schools — international education and school exchange programming in South Africa
Westlake High School — global education and cultural exchange initiatives
District-level professional learning, school visits, and educator engagement abroad

ARC’s programs are informed by sustained partnerships and prior academic engagements, including:

Research & Community-Based Projects

mPowering Maternal Health in Ghana (MHIG) — a mobile health research project examining antenatal care access and maternal outcomes in rural Northern Ghana
Education and youth-focused research initiatives integrating mobile learning, STEAM exposure, and community engagement

Youth & In-Country Education Programs

SheSTEAM Summit and Pop-Up Labs (South Africa and Ghana)
Africa Library Project collaborations supporting literacy and reading culture
Community-based youth leadership and education initiatives

Geographic Reach

ARC has designed and supported academic programs and research engagements in:

How Experience Shapes ARC Programs

ARC’s prior work directly informs the design of every program we offer. Lessons learned from faculty exchanges, research projects, and youth initiatives guide our approach to curriculum integration, student preparation, faculty collaboration, and risk management. This experience allows ARC to design programs that are academically rigorous, culturally responsive, and aligned with institutional priorities.

ARC programs are custom-designed in partnership with faculty and institutions.