Alumna Mikayla Woodley
- Fabiola M Rivera
- May 6
- 3 min read
Updated: May 6
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 meeting support, and provides operational assistance to contribute to the Foundation’s commitment to equitable, community-centered impact.
My journey wasn’t linear, but it shows how powerful the GDS framework can be, even when you least expect it.
Like many GDS students, I was passionate about working directly with affected communities. But I also had this desire to understand how people in power think, the decision-makers. That's why I did Battern's accelerated master's program. It was a stressful overlap—my friends were relaxing, and I was struggling through my first year of grad school—but Battern helped me see the other side of things, even if I knew I didn't want a job in Congress.
The Intern Who Just Showed Up
Then came 2020. I needed a 400-hour internship to graduate, but the pandemic made DC or New York—where policy "happens" unfeasible. For purely practical reasons (I had an apartment in Charlottesville and didn't want to pay double rent), I ended up interning at Habitat for Humanity.
They were looking for general support. I had zero background in affordable housing. My main focus in GDS had been on migrant populations and movement. But I told them, "If you're looking for someone who will show up and do work, then I think that works."
Breaking the UVA Bubble
That summer changed everything. GDS teaches you to work directly on the ground, and for the first time, I was actually doing that locally. I had been fully in the UVA bubble for five years and had rarely paid attention to the community right outside.
Habitat plugged me into the local housing crisis. I started meeting the community members who make Charlottesville run the housekeepers, the dining hall staff, the hospital workers—people who help us every day but often can't afford to live here. It was a completely new perspective, and for whatever reason, there was just more and more to uncover.
All Hands on Deck
My story isn't unique in showing that you should not over-worry about landing right where you're meant to be, especially if you graduate during a tough time (like 2020). I ended up staying on past the internship, eventually going from part-time to full-time as other job offers I knew had disappeared. Nonprofits are notoriously short-staffed, which is a blessing in disguise for skill-building. You might have one title, but GDS people are good employees and can build capacity on all sorts of projects.
Nonprofits also offer incredible job growth. If UVA students are willing to take a lower salary and do some grunt work, they can rise quickly. It’s been six years of full-time work, and I’ve been able to get to the director level before age 30, but I still feel like the work I am doing is meaningful.
Finding the Holistic Approach
Today, I oversee our financial coaching team of staff members, meeting with first-time homebuyers every month. GDS instills values of work, connection, and understanding, and nonprofits really need that training to come in and contribute. When we're working on projects like the redevelopment of Southwood, the largest mobile home park in the greater area, that holistic approach is everything. It's about preserving social structures and social services that communities already have, while still creating better access to market-rate housing and homeownership.
My advice to current students? Don't stress too much about the finish line. Even if you're like me and were not thinking about staying in Charlottesville (I couldn't wait to get out), think about looking for nonprofit opportunities, either here or in other cities. It's mission-driven work where your GDS training can truly make a difference. And if you ever want to meet up to grab coffee, seriously, reach out! My best way for folks to contact me is via email.
Want to contact Mikayla
Comments