IREX congratulates Sevinj Mammadova, February’s International Exchange Alumni [7]Member of the Month [7]. The U.S. Department of State selected her from among a pool of more than one million Department-sponsored exchange program alumni for her recent work in education policy. In Azerbaijan she is serving as the head of Education Division at the country's Central Bank.
As a participant of the Global Undergraduate Exchange (UGRAD) Program [8], Mammadova studied education at Chatham University [9] in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She was an active member of her U.S. host community, volunteering at the Pittsburg Zoo and Greater Pittsburg Food Bank. Through an internship with Carriage House Children’s Center Mammadova developed a passion for children’s education.
Mammadova returned home with new skills and dedication to work for the betterment of her community. She directed the play "Snow White and the Dwarfs” where she engaged community members in all levels of the production and presented the play to the public free of charge. She also won a competition for the best project proposal on how exchange program alumni can contribute to improving Azerbaijan’s higher education.
Mammadova returned to the United States for her graduate studies with the Muskie program [10], studying education at the University of Texas in Arlington [11]. Her professional internship at an international non-profit, provided her the opportunity to contribute to projects addressing workforce development and education issues. One project included assisting with a National Science Foundation study on green jobs activities, and a fellowship program for disconnected youth.
The Global Undergraduate Exchange Program in Eurasia and Central Asia and the Edmund S. Muskie Graduate Fellowship Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs [12], are supported by the people of the United States and implemented by IREX.