What is Global Scholars?
The Global Scholars Program strengthens students’ readiness to be a Global Health Professional by providing career development and cultural and social awareness in a dynamic cohort of Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine peers. Global Scholars Coordinators provide students monthly seminars, service opportunities, networking events, and one-on-one support. Global Scholars develop valuable skills for their International work and are a part of a unique community dedicated to international development and global health.
Tulane WSPH has a long affiliation with the Peace Corps. Hundreds of graduates have gone on to pursue Peace Corps service where they have been able to directly use the skills learned in the classroom to assist communities around the globe. Participants gain insight from the experiences of the many Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCV) at SWSPH, including the Coverdell Fellows, the Global Scholars Program Coordinators, and many faculty and staff.
All students pursuing other international work and service opportunities are welcome to participate as Global Scholars.
Once you arrive in New Orleans for your graduate program, reach out to globalscholars@tulane.edu to be added to the email list and keep up with our events! You can also follow us on Instagram @tulaneglobalscholars
Program Requirements:
- Attend seminars throughout each semester
- Engage in community service events with New Orleans partner organizations every month
- Submit a reflection piece to The Internationalist
Program Benefits:
- Learn from public health professionals in the field during the monthly seminars
- Develop technical skills for international work
- Gain professional skills from our Career Services programs
- Access extensive alumni database and networking events
- Be a part of a strong community of RPCVs and peers with similar passions
- Improve your language skills through Language Lab and conversational language groups
- Volunteer with local New Orleans nonprofits including some like Glass Half Full, Second Harvest, Culture Aid NOLA, Bike Easy
Program Advisor: Dr. Erica Valenzuela
- Second Harvest Food Bank (September 30, 2024)
- Global Scholars Program Body Meeting (February 13, 2025)
- Global Scholars Program Body Meeting (March 20, 2025)
The Global Scholars Program is coordinated by returned Peace Corps volunteers and Coverdell Fellows. The Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine (WSPH) if a five-time, number one Peace Corps Volunteer-producing graduate school. We are deeply passionate about the mission of Peace Corps and are dedicated to supporting volunteers throughout their academic careers.
RPCVs are considered a valuable asset to the student experience here at Tulane. They offer a unique perspective on global development work and bring a more practical experience to the classroom. Tulane WSPH supports students who are RPCVs by creating a community of like-minded peers where students can interact and connect academically and socially. By including all RPCV students, faculty, and staff in the activities of the Global Scholars Program, along with the official Coverdell Fellows Program, Tulane WSPH creates a unique community dedicated to improving global health.
You can also email the team members directly:
- Hailey Aleman | Community Service Scholar
- Casey Douma | Global Scholars Program Co-coordinator
- Joshua Koepp | Digital Media Scholar
- Sarah Merchant | Global Scholars Program Co-coordinator
The Global Scholars program magazine, The Internationalist, is published once a year and is a collection of pieces submitted by Global Scholars and students and faculty engaged in international work. The magazine highlights different aspects of global health and international work from many different perspectives. Check out the 2023-2024 issue of The Internationalist. It's a big issue that spans two years of activity!
Check out the 2025 issue of The Internationalist.
| The Internationalist Archives | Notes from the Field Archives |
|---|---|
Notes from the Field was the first Peace Corps programs newsletter at WSPH!
Returned Peace Corps Volunteers
The Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine (WSPH) if a five-time, number one Peace Corps Volunteer-producing graduate school. We are deeply passionate about the mission of Peace Corps and are dedicated to supporting volunteers throughout their academic careers.
RPCVs are considered a valuable asset to the student experience here at Tulane. They offer a unique perspective on global development work and bring a more practical experience to the classroom. Tulane WSPH supports students who are RPCVs by creating a community of like-minded peers where students can interact and connect academically and socially. By including all RPCV students, faculty, and staff in the activities of the Global Scholars Program, along with the official Coverdell Fellows Program, Tulane WSPH creates a unique community dedicated to improving global health.
Tulane WSPH welcomed its first Coverdell Fellows in the fall semester of 2017. The Coverdell Fellows program is an opportunity for Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) to pursue graduate studies with specific benefits such as financial assistance. To learn more about our dynamic Paul D. Coverdell Fellowship, click here or contact globalscholars@tulane.edu.
Meet the Current Coverdell Scholars and Fellows
2025-2026
Casey Douma | Global Scholars Program Co-coordinator
Casey Douma was raised in Richmond Virginia, and completed her undergraduate studies at the College of William & Mary where she studied Kinesiology and Health Sciences with a concentration in Public Health. Casey's love of service brought her to the Peace Corps in Cameroon. Working with her village counterparts she completed projects related to malaria, nutrition, and maternal and child health. From there she attended the MGH Institute of Health Professions to study nursing. There she gained a greater understanding of the US health system and a deeper appreciation for all health workers. Most recently, Casey has worked for a public health consulting firm on an international COVID-19 immunization project. Casey is thrilled to study at Tulane's WSPH Tropical Medicine Department and deepen her understanding of infectious diseases. She loves cooking, coffee, dogs, and exploring new places and is overjoyed to explore New Orleans!
Sarah Merchant | Global Scholars Program Co-coordinator
Sarah Merchant grew up in Griswold, CT and completed her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics, with a minor in Culinary Nutrition at the University of New Hampshire. Shortly after graduation she joined Peace Corps Rwanda, serving in the health sector as a maternal, newborn and child health educator. She was posted at Mimuli Health Center, where she screened for malnutrition in mothers and children, distributed fortified foods and conducted home visits. Sarah also worked closely with community members, providing health education on HIV, family planning, nutrition and other topics. Sarah’s service as a Peace Corps Volunteer has shaped and impacted her passion for public health, leading her to pursue an MSPH in Nutrition at Tulane University. She is excited to start her journey at Tulane and explore all New Orleans has to offer. She loves Facebook marketplace, running, cooking and cows
Hailey Aleman | Community Service Scholar
Profile coming soon!
Joshua Koepp | Digital Media Scholar
Joshua Koepp comes to Tulane from chilly St. Paul, Minnesota having received their undergraduate degree from Loyola University Chicago in International Studies with a concentration in Gender and Development.
They served in Guinea as a Public Health volunteer where they lead rural health infrastructure and staffing projects in tandem with a multi-media malaria bed-net campaign. They were selected to extend and lead Peace Corps Guinea’s Media and Communication team as a PCVL.
Before coming to Tulane Josh worked with CARE and the CDC foundation on mass media health education and humanitarian operations, as well as with Minnesota FQHCs on COVID-19 education and health equity programming.
Josh is pursuing an MPH in Disaster Management and is excited to learn from Tulane’s experts on advances in resiliency solutions and risk communication techniques. In their free time, Josh is a musician, fine woodworker, and event planner who loves the hustle and bustle of a lively city.
Resident Initiative in Global Health at Tulane (RIGHT)
The Resident Initiative in Global Health at Tulane (RIGHT) program will provide skills and training to residents interested in a career path in global health. By offering opportunities for residents to expand their medical knowledge and experience internationally, the program aims to add to the community of ethically guided advocates for evidence-based holistic approaches to equitable care, locally and abroad. The program includes five core components: education, mentorship, international rotation, scholarly project, and local clinical experience.
