Jordan Sweet is a digital engagement specialist and fashion content creator whose global experiences have shaped his professional journey. A 2024 graduate of the University of Illinois Chicago with a degree in Marketing, specializing in Digital Marketing and Promotions, Jordan studied Fashion Design & Merchandising in Milan, Italy, through IES Abroad in Fall 2022. During his time abroad, he served as a Social Media Correspondent for IES Abroad, sharing his experiences and insights. Currently, Jordan works as a Digital Engagement Specialist at the American Planning Association and serves as a Communications Ambassador for BET. He continues to advocate for diversity in international education, leading presentations like “Passport to Success” at UIC, highlighting the impact of study abroad on students of color.

Kiki Giles is a rising international education professional whose passion for cross-cultural connection took root during her study abroad experience in Rabat, Morocco with IES Abroad. As a student at Wellesley College majoring in Political Science and Middle Eastern Studies, Kiki deepened her understanding of diplomacy and education while interning with the IES Abroad Rabat Center, where she supported program logistics, student life, and immersive learning experiences. Her commitment to fostering inclusive and transformative global experiences has led her to further internships and a continued focus on interfaith dialogue, women’s rights, and youth engagement in the Middle East and North Africa region. With warmth, curiosity, and a clear dedication to global learning, Kiki is poised to make a lasting impact in the field of international education.

Michael Henry, a Morehouse College alum from Fayetteville, North Carolina, exemplifies the power of global education and public service. After studying abroad in London through IES Abroad in Spring 2022, he deepened his commitment to diplomacy, serving in multiple leadership roles on campus and participating in the Charles B. Rangel Summer Enrichment Program. A recipient of the prestigious Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Graduate Fellowship, Michael has a Masters of Public Policy from Pepperdine University with a focus on International Relations and Dispute Resolution. Michael’s journey reflects a steadfast dedication to advocacy, education, and global engagement—positioning him to make a lasting impact as a future U.S. Foreign Service Officer.

Kiubon Kokko is a documentary filmmaker from Columbus, Ohio. While studying abroad in Nantes, France, Kiubon created “If I Could Put into Words”—a short film about connection and belonging that won the Grand Prize at the 2020 IES Abroad Film Festival. Since then, the Claremont McKenna College alum has continued to explore themes of identity, family, and home through his work, which has been recognized by the Drama International Short Film Festival and the Clermont-Ferrand Film Festival. In 2024, he was a finalist for Kartemquin’s Diverse Voices in Docs Fellowship and received a $100,000 grant from O’Shaughnessy Ventures to support his first feature documentary, “Holding on to Water.”

Yazmin Baptiste, a Queens, New York native and Lafayette College alumna, was honored as IES Abroad’s 2019 Global Citizen of the Year for her outstanding commitment to immigrant and refugee communities during her study abroad experiences in Rabat and Rome. In Morocco, she taught English to migrants through Fondation Orient-Occident, and in Italy, she conducted research on the privatization of immigration systems and volunteered with Hands Off Cain, an organization dedicated to abolishing the death penalty. Upon returning to campus, Yazmin initiated a “Mental Health Invisible Tour” inspired by her experiences abroad, aiming to shed light on underrepresented narratives within her college community. As a Posse Scholar, she earned her B.A. in Anthropology& Sociology with a minor in Religious Studies, and later completed an MSc in Applied Social Data Science from the London School of Economics. Currently, she applies her skills as a Technical Program Associate at Give Directly, where she supports sending millions of dollars to people who live in poverty.

Breana Ross, a native of Clinton, Maryland, transformed her study abroad experience in Cape Town into a lifelong commitment to storytelling and service. While abroad volunteering with SHAWCO Education, she taught reading and math to second and third graders in the Nyanga and Manenberg townships, embracing a mutual learning approach that emphasized cultural exchange and shared growth. Her reflections on identity, inequality, and resilience were shared through blogs and contributions to the University of Cape Town’s newspaper, amplifying voices across continents. In recognition of her impactful work, Breana was honored as the 2018 IES Abroad Global Citizen of the Year. She has since continued her mission as a reporter for WBAL-TV 11 in Baltimore, using journalism to spotlight underrepresented stories and inspire change.

Kevin Kocher turned his own journey of perseverance into a mission to help others. After navigating the challenges of securing an English-speaking job in Germany, he founded Immigrant Spirit, a company dedicated to guiding international professionals toward meaningful work in a competitive German job market. Kevin’s structured, personalized approach has helped countless expats build their careers abroad and has gained recognition from media outlets like The Local Europe, Südwest Presse, and WirtschaftsWoche. His work reflects the full-circle impact of global education—leveraging lived experience to make the path smoother for those who follow.