Described as a “living laboratory” located in central Kenya’s Ewaso ecosystem, the Mpala Research Centre has been a 48,000-acre gateway to the multidisciplinary exploration of ecosystems, biodiversity, and sustainable livelihoods since 1994. For graduate student Daniel Persia, the site offered an opportunity to envision the impact of his graduate training. A translator and storyteller who cites language as a muse, Persia’s University Administrative Fellowship at Mpala enabled him to further develop a constellation of skills ranging from communications and social media to donor relations and impact analysis.

The results of his effort went beyond the theoretical. Persia contributed to communications projects showcasing Mpala’s research, built the organization’s first digital database for annual giving, and co-led a year-end campaign that raised more than $64,000 for graduate scholarships for Kenyan students.

“As a UAF with the International Affairs and Operations team, I’ve gotten a behind-the-scenes look at how Princeton builds and sustains relationships with partnering institutions across the globe. These relationships are complex and continually evolving, and there is no doubt a place for the Humanities in continuing to re-envision them. Traveling to the Mpala Research Centre in Kenya and meeting the local team was a life-changing experience that has shaped both my research and professional goals.” – Daniel Persia, GS, SPO
 

Princeton has been an Mpala partner since its inception, and today works in concert with institutions including the Smithsonian Institution, Kenya Wildlife Services, and the National Museums of Kenya. A key priority of the Centre is to expand that collaboration – across disciplines and with researchers based in Kenya, according to Associate Provost for International Affairs and Operations Aly Kassam-Remtulla, who oversees the research center and serves as chair of its board of trustees, and recently created an equity-focused Mpala Advisory Council.

“Over the last number of years, we have increased the number of scientists from Kenya and other parts of the continent, including Uganda and South Africa. We want to accelerate that success and create an environment where we are attracting top researchers from Africa and beyond and benefiting from deep, authentic collaborations that start with the conceptualization of projects. We want to acknowledge and reduce barriers to entry that some scholars may face. Through subsidies and fundraising we can level the playing field.” – Aly Kassam-Remtulla, Associate Provost for International Affairs and Operations

By contributing to such efforts, Princeton’s Fellows can envision the many ways in which their graduate training can be extended beyond academia. The value of learning across contexts is emphasized by Grace Penn, who supports Princeton’s oversight of Mpala as part of the Office of the Provost. She cites professional exploration as a lifelong opportunity.

“The road to professional fulfillment is not always a straight line. Despite what may seem like a winding path, you will learn important lessons and valuable skills that will allow you to be successful and thrive at each point along the way. When I got to Princeton as a first year in 1995, my goal was to work in international relations. Life took me on a very winding journey from teaching in the Bronx, to planning alumni affinity conferences, and now years later I find myself in international affairs. I don’t know what’s next, but I know that each of these experiences has been valuable and important, and will continue to be as I move through my professional journey.” – Grace Penn, Associate Director for International Affairs and Operations

Our Fellowship Partner

The Office of the Provost promotes the success of every Princeton student, scholar, faculty member and employee by providing key budgetary and programmatic support to both academic and administrative units of the University.

Our vantage point at the intersection of academics and administration provides us with unique opportunities to increase the University’s capacity to advance learning through scholarship, research and teaching of the highest quality in service of the common good.

Units within the Office include:Academic Affairs, Institutional Equity and Diversity, International Affairs and Operations, Resource Planning and Institutional Research, and Space Programming and Planning.

Learn More About GradFUTURES Social Impact Fellowships

GradFUTURES Social Impact Fellowships are bespoke opportunities for Princeton graduate students with nonprofit organizations that have partnered with the Graduate School. Host organizations work closely with the Graduate School to determine the learning outcomes and professional development goals for these immersive experiences. Each fellowship is custom-designed, allowing graduate students to apply discipline-specific skills, gain interdisciplinary project team experience, and receive one-on-one mentoring while contributing to the social impact mission of the organization.