The Washington, DC-based nonprofit Global Ties U.S., in partnership with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) at the U.S. Department of State, is pleased to announce that the final location of the year-long traveling photo exhibit, Impact of Exchange: Stories from U.S. Exchange Alumni, will be Huntington, WV. Beginning September 25, the exhibit will be on display on the campus of Marshall University through October 18.
Impact of Exchange is a vibrant public art exhibit that features the photos and stories of 38 U.S. citizens representing 20 U.S. government exchange program during their time abroad. Photos depict scenes of everyday life, community, and nature to celebrate the experiences and adventures made possible through international exchange programs. By visually transporting viewers to locations around the world, the exhibit seeks to inspire communities with relatively low rates of international exchange program participation to apply to international exchange programs – and to share with others their own experiences of the power of exchange.
Since the photo exhibit debuted in Portland, Maine in September 2023, it has traveled across the United States, with stops in Little Rock, AR; Boise, ID; and Cedar Rapids, IA; and reached 84,500 visitors to date.
Below is information for the final stop:
September 25 – October 18
Location: Marshall University Campus
Host: Marshall University
“We’re excited to partner with Marshall University and bring the Impact of Exchange exhibit to Huntington, WV,” said Katherine A. Brown, Ph.D., President & CEO of Global Ties U.S. “Marshall University is the first campus to host the exhibit, and its location provides a wonderful opportunity to reach both students and the surrounding communities, and celebrate the life-long impact of exchanges.”
“The Office of Global Education here at Marshall University knows firsthand how students can benefit by participating in exchange programs,” said Zelideth María Rivas, Ph.D., Marshall University’s Assistant Provost for Global Education, Academic Affairs. “Students gain a new perspective on their studies, gain cross-cultural communication skills, and deepen their understanding of international and global issues. Hosting this exhibit underscores the importance of and further encourages our students to explore opportunities for studying abroad.”
“The Impact of Exchange exhibit features incredible experiences of more than 30 U.S. ExchangeAlumni, showing how these citizen diplomats benefited both personally and professionally from their exchange programs,” said Nolen Johnson, the Global Alumni Coordinator at the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Alumni Affairs. “We thank Global Ties U.S. and Marshall University for reaching new audiences to share these stories, encouraging participation in exchange programs and building enthusiasm for global engagement.”
The Impact of Exchange is part of the U.S. Exchange Alumni Network and Capacity Building Program, a cooperative agreement with ECA’s Office of Alumni Affairs and Global Ties U.S. The exhibit is produced by Photoville, a New York-based nonprofit.
With more than 500,000 U.S. citizen alumni in the UnitedStates and around the world, the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Alumni Affairs opens the door to alumni networking, professional development, and the many opportunities that exist in citizen diplomacy. In addition to the Impact of Exchange photo exhibit, the partnership with Global Ties U.S. includes Career Connections events, the Citizen Diplomacy Action Fund (CDAF), the U.S. ExchangeAlumni Fellowship, and the Alumni Resource Center, an online learning hub.
More Information
Global Ties U.S. is the national leader for connecting people and communities in the United States with global leaders through international exchange programs. Since 1961, Global Ties U.S. has powered a community-based network of 80+ nonprofit organizations that serve all 50 U.S. States and implement the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) and a wide variety of other international exchange and public diplomacy programs. The work of Global Ties U.S. advances U.S. strategic priorities abroad and boosts prosperity at home by harnessing the diplomatic potential of our country’s greatest asset: our people.
The Office of Alumni Affairs in the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs: The Office of Alumni Affairs cultivates and extends the impact of U.S. government funded and sponsored educational and cultural exchange programs through continued engagement with alumni of these programs. This dynamic global network of millions of ExchangeAlumni includes current and former heads of state, Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, Olympic athletes, award-winning artists, and untold numbers of community leaders and changemakers around the world.
The Office of Alumni Affairs collaborates with U.S. embassies and consulates abroad to leverage the expertise, energy, and enthusiasm of exchange alumni in support of shared goals. Domestically, The Office of Alumni Affairs works with implementing partners to support U.S. citizen alumni in leveraging the impact of their exchange experience after returning to the United States. Every day, exchange alumni make a difference in their communities and around the world, in health care, entrepreneurship, civic engagement, volunteerism, the democratic process, technology, and much more.
Photoville is a New York-based nonprofit organization that works to promote a wider understanding and increased access to the art of photography for all. Founded in 2011 in Brooklyn, NY, Photoville was built on the principles of addressing cultural equity and inclusion by ensuring that the artists they exhibit are diverse in gender, class, and race. By activating public spaces, amplifying visual storytellers, and creating unique and highly innovative exhibition and programming environments, Photoville joins the cause of nurturing a new lens of representation.
Marshall University is a comprehensive public university with a rich history as one of the oldest institutions of higher learning in West Virginia. Founded in 1837, Marshall University advances the public good through innovative, accredited educational programs. With a student population of close to 12,000 students, Marshall offers more than 150 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs and is designated as a Carnegie Institute R2 high research activity university.