Transforming Leadership Team to Expand Education for Refugee Teenage Girls – A Global Village Project Update

ATLANTA – June 4, 2019 – Global Village Project (GVP), the only school in the United States for refugee teenage girls who have had their education interrupted, today announced the appointment of Dr. Amy Pelissero as Director of Academic, Student and Global Affairs. With this new role, the organization furthers its GVP Strategic Plan 2018-2021, the vision of an inclusive stakeholder community of volunteers, parents, alumnae, donors, staff and the community.

As Director of Academic, Student and Global Affairs, Dr. Amy will focus upon academic affairs of the school while working to broaden educational influence globally; amplify programs for current students and alumnae; and expand community integration.

“In 2014, the Nobel Peace prize went to Malala Yousafzai, who was only 17 at the time, for her tireless advocacy to ensure that girls would have the opportunity to be educated. It is the goal of GVP to make this educational vision a reality for young women who have survived their war-torn journeys from their countries to Atlanta, Georgia,” said Dr. Amy Pelissero.

Dr. Amy will continue in her present role until the search committee selects the next Head of School who will guide the delivery of GVP’s expanded charter.

“We are excited about the expansion of our leadership team and have launched a search for a visionary Head of School who will drive this new phase of GVP’s growth and sustainability,” said Ellen Dotts, Board Chair of Global Village Project. “We are committed to finding a transformative leader who embraces and furthers the aspiration: We dream a world. One girl at a time.”

96% of GVP alumnae who complete the three-year program are successfully moving through high school and college. GVP is going from Decatur’s best kept secret to serving as an impactful local and global model for change. For more information, visitwww.globalvillageproject.org.

About Global Village Project

Global Village Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization accredited as a special purpose middle school serving refugee students. Our program was first imagined in 2009, in response to the fact that many teenage refugee girls need more intensive and individualized support. The school’s mission is to develop a strong educational foundation for each student within a caring community, using a strength-based approach and intensive instruction in English language, literacy, academic subjects and the Arts.

Located in Decatur, Georgia the school’s academic program serves 40-50 girls between the ages of 11-19 in a space donated by the Decatur Presbyterian Church. Student’s tuition, lunch and transportation are provided free of charge. GVP alumnae are staying in school, graduating, and going to college. Graduates are now enrolled in Atlanta-area colleges and universities, including Berry College, Agnes Scott College, Georgia State and Georgia Tech. Visit us at www.globalvillageproject.org.