All Articles

Hi all! My name is Rosie, and I graduated from the UVA in 2022 with a degree in Public Policy & Leadership and Global Development Studies. For the past few years, I have been working in the international development and global health field. In my first post-grad role, I worked on a USAID contract supporting locally led global nutrition programs across Nutrition and Health Systems and Early Childhood Development teams. One of my favorite projects was developing a breastfeeding

Like many GDS students, I came to UVA planning for a career in international development. And while my roles have changed, the throughline driving me hasn’t — I’ve always been inspired by mobilizing people to take on the toughest challenges affecting their communities. After GDS and my MPP at Batten, I spent time in Sri Lanka through a Fulbright grant; worked in local and national politics; served as Deputy Chief of Staff at Global Refuge, a US resettlement agency; and led st

Finding Your Place, Breaking the Bubble: From GDS to Director at Habitat for Humanity I graduated in 2019, double-majoring in Global Development Studies (GDS) and Spanish. Since the writing of this, Mikayla joined the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation (CACF) as the new Program Administrator in April 2026. Mikayla supports the smooth operation of the Foundation’s grantmaking and capacity-building initiatives. She collaborates with grant partners, coordinates event and