RON THOMAS, VOLUNTEER CHAIRPERSON
Ron is the Chairperson of the Georgia Close Up Foundation. Being a Realtor, Building Contractor, and Sole Proprietor of RT Properties in Atlanta, GA, he is a man of many talents. Ron was born in Detroit, Michigan and attended high school in Denver, Atlanta, and Montclair, NJ. Graduating from Talladega College in 1974, he earned a B.A. in Pre-Law and History. Ron minored in Political Science and Art. Ron served as a YMCA Camp Counselor and Director from 1968 to 1973. He has also worked with the International Camp Counseling in Lebanon from 1974-1977.
Ron's professional teaching experience spans over a 13-year period in Beirut, Lebanon, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, and Atlanta Public Schools. He has been a professional educator for 34 years. Prior to founding Georgia Close Up, he worked as an active volunteer for the Close Up Foundation out of Washington, D.C.
Contact Ron at rthomasron@yahoo.com
2009-2010 Intern Staff
Amber Sansbury, Program Administrator
Amber Sansbury is a proud native of Columbus, Georgia. She graduates this fall from Georgia State University with a bachelor’s degree in Middle East Studies; the degree focused in Arabic, Islam, cultural and socio-political networks in the region, and colonialism. During college, Amber has been the GSU Presidential Scholar with the Middle East Institute. Amber was a part of GSU’s prestigious 2007-2008 Model Arab League team and won Outstanding Delegation and Honorable Mention awards, working with her teammate on the Social Affairs committee. Amber recently returned from an academic year abroad as a National Security Education Program Boren scholar at Al Akhawayn University in Morocco. In addition, Amber has served as a GSU resident assistant and camp counselor; after four summers of camp counseling, Amber acted as the Activities Director for Camp JOY this summer. She enjoys enriching the lives of students and is excited about her Georgia Close-Up opportunity. Amber looks forward to emphasizing a global focus for Georgia youth and hopes to impart the vitality of civic leadership fueled by educated voices. Amber plans to begin graduate school studying Political Science in Fall 2010; she will investigate the use of violence by political dissident movements and terrorist groups, considering the utilization or nonuse of violent force by governing powers in reaction. In the future, she aspires to serve in various foreign policy institutions and Congress. Her ultimate goal is to represent Georgia well as a United States senator. Contact Amber at ambersansbury527@yahoo.com.
Aishwarya Nekkalapudi, Web Designer
Aishwarya serves as our current Web Designer and manager for Georgia Close Up. She was born in Hyderabad, India. Recently graduated with a Masters degree in the field of Computer Science from Southern Polytechnic State University, GA. Aishwarya received her Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Information Technology from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, India. Aishwarya is also an active member of organizations like International Students Association at Southern Poly and Telugu Association of Metro Atlanta (TAMA). She appreciates the work of Georgia Close Up and wants to contribute her part in bringing awareness in the society especially students, who are the future wealth of the nation. Aishwarya believes that with the combination of her experience and education she can take our information systems into a new direction and give a fresh look which would grab the attention of everyone, educate and make a difference in society. Contact Aishwarya at aishwarya.nekkalapudi@gmail.com
Nathalie D.Rodriguez, Graphic Design Coordinator
Nathalie works as a Coordinator in our graphics design. She manages creation and re-designs: contracts, banners, flyer's, brochures, letters and all kind of the Georgia Close Up institutional papers and videos. Nathalie also has experience teaching seminars and courses about designs, communications and leaderships. She was born in Cordoba, Argentina. On December 2009, Nathalie received her degree in Professional Journalism from "Colegio Universitario de Periodismo Obispo Trejo y Sanabria" College. In her country she is also a volunteer in Press and Communication Department of a civil foundation calls "Pueblo Pirata" and works for an event planning organization called Olivermoon. Nathalie likes designing and she is progressing with new assignments every day. She believes that everything in communications needs a great design to transmit a better understanding of a message. Nathalie hopes to help and join different cultures and experiences of life in the Georgia Close Up Conferences. Most of all, she wants to transmit to young people the magnificent of understanding humanitarian and environmental problems, so that they see the significances of their part. Contact Nathalie at naty_line@hotmail.com
Xuange Liu, Graphic Design Coordinator
Xuange serves as our Graphics design Coordinator for Georgia Close Up. She was born in Beijing, China. She is currently a senior at Southern Polytechnic State University and will graduate at the end of this year. She will also receive a B.F.A in English from North China University in Technology. Xuange served as secretary in NUCT-SPSU program, a graphic design tutor in college, and a interpreter during her two years in the United States. Xuange has passion in education and loves to work with students. She is committed to utilize her talents to create fresh and energetic program documents and websites. She hopes that her design is able to inspire our young participants. Xuange is glad to share her understanding of how studying public policy can change young person's life through a chinese perspective. Xuange is currently pursuing a Master degree in Education. In the future, she aspires to serve as a high school teacher or a professor in an institution. Contact Xuange at shirly.liu0712@hotmail.com
Qian Sun, Information System Analyst
Qian serves as our Information System Analyst for Georgia Close Up. He will graduate at the end of this year, with one bachelor degree in Computer Science and Technology from Northeast Normal University, China, and another in Computer Science from Southern Polytechnic State University, GA. Qian is currently pursuing master degree in Information System. At Southern Polytechnic State University, Qian was on Dean’s List and was elected to member of Alaph Chi, which is the national college honor society for the top ten percent of juniors, seniors and graduate students. At Northeast Normal University, he gained a Social Practice Scholarship and was selected as “Campus Representative,” by conducting big campus events with sponsors. In his spare time, Qian engages in volunteering in different programs or organizations, such as, Chinese Friendship Association at Southern Polytechnic State University, “NUCT-SPSU Program” at Southern Polytechnic State University. He is committed to utilize his skills in programming languages to set up a fresh Email system and maintain our website, so that our program can better address public policy issues to youths. Click here to contact Qian.
2008-2009 Intern Staff
ANYIE LI, PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR
Anyie serves as a Program Administrator for Georgia Close Up. She was born in Seattle, Washington. Graduating from the University of Washington in 2008, she earned a B.A. in International Studies. She also minored in Human Rights and Law, Societies, and Justice. She has also served as the Assistant Program Coordinator for the Oxford Institute for Environmental Education. Anyie is passionate about international education and cross-cultural exchange. Anyie was an Assistant Youth Counselor to the International Rescue Committee. She is committed to promoting international understanding and hopes to inspire youth to exercise their rights and be engaged in the democratic process through the Georgia Close Up Foundation.
MARIAN WARD, PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR
Marian serves as a Program Administrator for Georgia Close Up. She was born in Augusta, Georgia. Marian earned a B.A. in Biology from Fort Calley University. She is currently pursuing a Masters in Public Health at Walden University. She has been a Federal Officer since 2000. She is CPR and First Aid Certified. From 1998 to 2000, she was a high school and college tutor and counselor. Marian believes the most important aspect of international studies is the pursuit of an understanding of the multiple fields that are involved in global issues. She is committed to create an environment where this learning can take place, and it is empowering to know that this knowledge is crucial to addressing contemporary global issues.
MARIA BLACK, GRAPHICS COORDINATOR
Maria serves as the Graphics Coordinator for Georgia Close Up. She was born in Atlanta, Georgia. She is currently a senior at Savannah College of Art and Design, Atlanta Campus. Maria will receive a B.F.A. in Graphic Design in June of 2009. She lives in the Metro-Atlanta area with her husband of four years and her two beautiful daughters. Maria has a strong belief that graphic design should serve to educate others. She is committed to utilizing her talents to inform others about important and vital programs in our society such as the Georgia Close Up Foundation.
ASH BLANKENSHIP, PUBLIC AFFAIRS ADMINISTRATOR
Ash serves as a Public Affairs Administrator for Georgia Close Up. A recent transplant to Atlanta, he previously lived in Poughkeepsie, NY where he worked as a Team Lead for Xerox Corporation. He is currently pursuing a B.A. in Political Science from SUNY Empire State College and is a member of the Young Democrats of New York and the American Political Science Association. An avid runner, writer and photographer, Ash enjoys simple things in life and has a passion for people. Ash understands the value of America's youth and their effect on state and federal Government and is happy to be engaged with an organization that shares these values.
LUCILE CHNEIWEISS, STUDENT PARTICIPANT COORDINATOR
Born in 1988 in France, Lucile Chneiweiss is a 3rd year student of Public Policy in the course of a 5 years Masters program towards a Masters in Public Affairs; or Master en Affaire Publique at Sciences Po Paris (Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris). As a French student, Lucile entered Sciences Po after her Baccalaureate in 2006, stayed for two years in Sciences Po then spent one year in the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), Atlanta GA (2008-2009). Lucile has been majoring in Public Policy at Georgia Tech, and followed several environment oriented courses that helped her forge some expertise in the domain of environmental concerns. In 2007-2008, she worked as a Parliamentary Assistant for a French Member of Parliament (Arnaud Montebourg, PS, Saone et Loire) at the Assemblee nationale where she experienced firsthand the legislative process, concerns, research, and parliamentary work. She is a volunteer at Georgia Close Up where she helped organizing the Youth Environmental Conference and establishing contact between the association and high school volunteers, and at LaAmistad where she helps middle school pupils with their afterschool homework and study.
