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Our Vision, Mission, and Passion

Global Intercultural Citizenship Education Through Adult Study Abroad and Community-Based Global Learning

Molise Italian Studies operates from the premise that in order for humanity to survive and thrive on a global level, all individuals must be able to lead safe, fulfilling, and purposeful lives in mindful harmony and cooperation with those of diverse backgrounds and experience.

We believe the curiosity, empathy, and resilience needed to achieve the requisite transformation of perspective towards oneself and others, as well as to develop one’s capacity to implement positive, effective, and sustainable change towards a more just and equitable society, must be deliberately and intentionally cultivated through authentic and meaningful experience, and must be modeled for both current and successive generations.

And because it is the ideal location to realize our vision and mission, our passion is the preservation and promotion of Molise’s cultural heritage.

Our Story

“Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.”--Flaubert

We are a pair of American teachers who believe that true education comes not only through books and study, but also through meaningful participation in the worlds and lives of others–through intercultural collaboration; authentic interactions with local communities; slow, personal travel; and purposeful immersion into different ways of living. We believe travel and service learning can open people’s eyes to how they fit into the human experience, and can push them to discover similarities, celebrate differences, and realize the sheer number of beautiful and amazing people and places in the world.

From an early age we have tried to teach our own children the importance of respect and empathy for others. We have been searching for a place to live the life we teach and long for–a slower, more sustainable life full of real connections and experiences–and a way to share our vision of a more authentic life that can, even from our “tiny place,” change the world one person at a time. We believe that immersive service learning and adult study abroad in Molise IS the answer.

Molise, Piccola Grande Bellezza

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Molise IS a small, remote region of Italy full of history and tradition, hillside villages and stunning vistas, and kind, welcoming, hard-working people. It remains untouched by the bustle of modern tourism, which is exactly why it has so much to offer to reflective learners and slow travelers looking for an authentic Italian experience.

Yet Molise still allows easy access to the world-class opportunities and sophistication of Rome and Naples. Molise is a model for purposeful living, an ideal environment in which to foster intercultural collaboration and exchange through Adult Study Abroad and immersive Community-Based Global Learning.

Discover more of what makes Molise so magical through the links to its towns and attractions below.

Useful Molise Links

Who We Are

Scott at Bixby Canyon Bridge

Scott Holcomb

Scott is a Founding Director of both Molise Italian Studies and The Center for Intercultural Citizenship. He has taught Latin and Social Studies for eighteen years, and has led students on trips to Washington, DC, New York, Philadelphia, and Italy. He has coached both academic competitions and tennis, and he is an Intercultural Development Inventory® (IDI®) Qualified Administrator and Global Competence Certificate (GCC) Qualified Facilitator. Scott is a graduate of the Classics departments at both the College of William and Mary (BA) and the University of Georgia (MA), and is an alumnus of the Educational Seminars Italy Classics Summer Fulbright Program, as well as Tara Harvey’s Facilitating Intercultural Learning course.

Meagan at White Ranch Open Space

Meagan Holcomb

Meagan is a Founding Director of both Molise Italian Studies and The Center for Intercultural Citizenship. As an Intercultural Development Inventory® (IDI®) Qualified Administrator and Global Competence Certificate (GCC) Qualified Facilitator, she has incorporated Intercultural Citizenship into her work as a public educator, IC Consultant, NAU CIE Assistant, and Difr Teen Coach. She previously worked with a large study abroad company for outbound U.S. American students, and she is a Semester at Sea alumna. Meagan is a graduate of both the School of Communications (BA) and School of Education (MAT) at the University of Northern Colorado, where she served as both an International Ambassador and as a Student Study Abroad Advisor with the Center for International Education. She is also an alumna of Tara Harvey’s Facilitating Intercultural Learning course.

Robin J. Lewis

Robin, our Senior Academic Advisor, is the President of the International Development and Public Policy Alliance (IDPPA), a consortium of graduate public policy schools in Brazil, Russia, India, China, Egypt, Turkey, South Africa, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia founded in 2012. He is also the Co-Founder and Co-Chair of Worldview Global Impact, a non-profit foundation registered in New York with a focus on promoting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and the former International Principal of Future Leadership Academy in Hainan, China. Professor Lewis was Associate Dean of the Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) in New York (1985-2007) and has worked on projects with a range of organizations, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Italy. He holds M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from Columbia University and is the author of one book, E.M. Forster’s Passages to India, and numerous articles.

Li Wang (Jasmine)

Li Wang (Jasmine), our China Director, is Co-Founder and Co-Chair of Worldview Global Impact (WGI), a New York-based non-profit dedicated to promoting the UN Sustainable Development Goals and mobilizing diverse resources for effective and pragmatic social impact. In her role as Co-Chair of WGI, Ms. Wang is a member of the Advisory Board of UNITLIFE, an innovative initiative of the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) that is providing new strategies to eliminate early-childhood malnutrition around the world. She is currently Adjunct Research Scholar at the Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), where she is also the Co-Producer and Co-Author of the Impact Investment Case Study Project, which is publishing cutting-edge video-and-text case studies for academic and professional use. With over 15 years of experience in management, education, training, and investment, Ms. Wang holds a bachelor's degree in physics and a master's degree in education.

Lakendra Brunston-Parker

Lakendra Brunston-Parker, our HBCU Coordinator, is the Founder and Executive Managing Director of Study Abroad 4711, a study abroad provider that powers Virginia Union University's Office of Study Away and offers journeys for those interested in international travel and lifelong learners passionate about global education. Lakendra’s mission, and that of Study Abroad 4711, is to infuse affordability with full intercultural immersion in the ever-evolving world of international education for all students, breaking down barriers and giving them the opportunity to fathom their journeys as they embark into a globalized workforce. Located in Chesapeake, Virginia and Queens, New York, SA 4711 was launched shortly after Lakendra had the opportunity to study abroad in Tokyo, Japan, and brings together more than 22 years of experience to personally help other learners travel the world and discover new and inspiring destinations.

Courtney Carver

Courtney Carver, our Mental Health Coordinator, received her bachelor's degree in Social Work from NAU, and later earned her master’s degree in Social Work from ASU. In between these degrees, she traveled to Kenya and Uganda and did women's empowerment work while also working in an orphanage. While pursuing her master's degree, Courtney worked with the Department of Child Safety, teaching foster care classes and assisting children and parents in the family preservation and reunification programs. She has also worked as a school counselor and neuro-social worker for brain injury survivors, most recently practicing medical social work in the palliative field and in the emergency department. In addition, Courtney works in private practice, specializing in trauma, life transitions, anxiety, and end-of-life, and began teaching full-time at NAU in 2017. During her time at NAU, she has been able to lead study abroad programs to both Spain and Italy.

Our Partners

Annunziata Lanni

Nunzia, our Italy Coordinator, is a passionate travel designer and licensed tour leader. She has successfully completed her studies in Chinese Language (BA) and Tourism Management (MA). Her desire to explore the world inspired her to travel and work in multicultural environments, however Molise is what she calls home. Nunzia awaits you in Italy for unconventional tailor-made travel experiences!

Andrea Rossi

Andrea, our On-Site Support Coordinator and a self-proclaimed "Molisano" citizen of the world, has deep roots in his native land of Molise, where he nourishes his passion for nature and enjoys the rhythm that walking and cycling lend to life. With a background in economics and international project management, Andrea is an experienced tour leader and hiking guide who is excited to lead you on a slow and careful journey among small villages, uncontaminated nature, and peasant traditions!

Anna Scolari

Anna, our Milan-based online Italian teacher, maintains a fun class environment and positive attitude while delivering serious lessons. Her hobbies include horseback riding and reading, and she loves being a grandmother of 4. Anna's favorite writer is Marco Balzano, and says the quote that best represents her is, "Be like the sea: transparent and thoughtless on the surface and deep in the soul." Anna looks forward to sharing her love of Italian!

Sofia Petrecca

Sofia, our on-site Conversational Italian teacher, is a DITALS I-certified teacher of Italian as a foreign language. Sofia has taught Italian to migrants from Africa and Bangladesh, as well as to many American students, and has worked with many language schools in Italy and Brazil. In addition to teaching, Sofia leads student excursions as a tour guide, and currently lives in Bojano in the Campobasso province of Molise.

University of Molise
Molise Italian Studies has obtained a license to use the IDI® from IDI, LLC.
Comune di Agnone
Associazione di Promozione Sociale LUNA

What We Stand For

In accordance with our mission and goals, Molise Italian Studies is an antiracist organization committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion. We proactively oppose, and do not tolerate, racism and discrimination. We commit to maintaining an environment where all employees, consultants, applicants, participants, partners, and friends, regardless of race, creed, color, ethnicity, language, national origin, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, veteran status, marital status, or age, know they are valued and feel safe to live and discuss all aspects of their identity and the importance each has on both our organization and our individual lives.

We acknowledge that racism and discrimination can be unconscious, implicit, or unintentional, and that identifying racism as an issue does not automatically mean those involved in the act are racist or intended to have a negative impact. As an antiracism and anti-discrimination organization we purposefully identify, discuss and challenge issues of equity, diversity, inclusion and racism and the impacts they have on the organization, internal and external stakeholders, and the greater community. We strive every day to do better and to be better at fostering an authentic sense of belonging for all.