Staff Photos & Bios
Program Staff
International Director - James Mas
James grew up in Houston, Texas and attended The University of Alabama where he received a B.A. in Photography. Shortly after graduation, James joined the Peace Corps where he served in Niger, West Africa for two years. Since then, James has spent over 12 years living, working, and studying internationally with a focus on education and sustainable tourism.
James just completed a year-long around-the-world backpacking trip across Africa, Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, and Eastern Europe and is currently working as a high school teacher in Texas. He is very excited to lead an impactful program in Ghana with GLA students this summer!
Mentor - Gustavo Adrian Azcarategui Rodriguez
Meet Gus! As someone who loves teaching others to appreciate, respect and love nature, Gus always brings a large dose of enthusiasm and energy to every place he goes! Originally from Mexico, Gus has also worked as an outdoor camp facilitator in his home country, Hong Kong, Dominican Republic and in Scotland. With special skills as a wilderness first aider and high ropes instructor, participants are sure to be in safe hands with Gus on GLA sessions.
Mentor - Mary Chasen
While at the University of Vermont, Mary focused on Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Agroecology, studying the intersection of cultural conservation and environmental conservation. During her studies, she spent time in Botswana, where she conducted research in the Okavango Delta and worked with local communities on human-wildife conflict. After school she traveled throughout Europe, Central and South America, and Asia to spend time in Indigenous communities and create land-inspired photography and art. Mary first came to know the profound impact of student travel in 2017, when she received a National Geographic Student Expedition scholarship to study wildlife throughout Australia. While there, she served as editor for a student magazine, and contributed with an article on Indigenous perspective in preserving the Daintree Rainforest. Mary went on to serve as Project Coordinator for an organization that connects Indigenous Elders around the world, co-creating solutions for global issues that humankind face today. She facilitated a conference of the elders in Hawaii, centered on Native perspectives related to climate change. Mary has also led student-travel programs in Japan, Iceland, Italy, and Greece, and is thrilled to be leading in Ghana this summer!
GLA Staffing - Roles
GLA staff are native to the host country and international, usually from the US, Canada or Europe. All staff are highly qualified adults with college degrees. Most of our staff are educators and/or working professionals with higher degrees of education. All of our staff have extensive experience working with teenage students, international programs and/or a specific knowledge of the program country.
GLA staff consists of a local program director, someone from the host country with extensive experience working with international students and also an international program director, someone from the west with extensive global experience working with this age group, who together bridge any cultural differences. Mentors work with the students on a day to day basis. Staff ages usually range between 25 – 35 years old. In addition, we maintain a student to staff ratio of 8:1.
Local Program Director
Local Program Directors are responsible for co-managing the overall experience alongside International Program Directors. First and foremost, they protect the health and safety of students at all times, reinforcing standards of safety and community culture. The Local Program Director is also responsible for planning excursions, speakers, and community service projects
International Program Director
International Program Directors are responsible for co-managing the overall experience alongside Local Program Directors. Along with the Local Director, the International Program Director protects the health and safety of students at all times, reinforcing standards of safety and community culture. The International Program Director is also responsible for structuring a dynamic learning environment by developing curriculum, facilitating the implementation of GLA’s service-learning workshops through group-wide discussions
Mentor
Mentors are also responsible for structuring a dynamic learning environment by working as part of a team to implement GLA’s service-learning leadership curriculum; leading daily discussion, reflection or journaling sessions with small student groups; and helping Directors plan additional workshops and activities to engage students in their “free” time.
In-Country Program Coordinator
Our In-Country Program Coordinators are people with close ties to the local community. Their connections are what allow our groups to be welcomed as friends into a community, and their knowledge of the challenges facing local people allow our work to be a meaningful and valued contribution.
Country Administrator
Country Administrators are responsible for managing the overall experience of multiple programs in a certain country. Along with the Local Director, and International Program Directors, the Administrator protects the health and safety of students at all times, reinforcing standards of safety and community culture. The Country Administrator is also responsible for structuring a dynamic learning environment by developing curriculum, facilitating the implementation of GLA’s service-learning workshops through group-wide discussions.
Program Manager
Our Program Managers support the International and Local teams over the course of summer programming. The Program Managers have extensive training in risk management, cross cultural communication, student and group dynamics, mental health protocols, staff management and GLA policies and procedures. Program Managers posses and in-depth knowledge of each program site, partner, service activities, and excursion. The Program Managers communicate weekly with each team in the field and provide ongoing support during the summer to ensure safe and successful programs.