The Master of Sustainable Development Practice (MDP) program celebrated its 12th anniversary on April 10th, 2023, at Bryan Hall. Professor Jon Dain served as the event’s host. Dr. Glenn Galloway, Director of the MDP program and Dr. Renata Serra, MDP Graduate Coordinator provided a brief overview of the program and how it has evolved since its inception, highlighting the fact that MDP students have carried out their capstone projects in 43 countries around the world on a wide diversity of topics related to the broad sustainable development agenda.
The remarkable disciplinary diversity of MDP students was also noted, and a snapshot of what MDP alumni are doing was provided. This introductory overview was followed by inspiring words from five alumni from different parts of the world (Indah Bong – Indonesia; Katie Dowhaniuk – Uganda; Gabriela Polo – California; Daniela Lizano – Colombia; & Irving Chan Gomez – Philadelphia) and representatives from current cohorts of students (Genaro Guerrero & Yadira Molina). Both alumni and students expressed gratitude for the skills and knowledge they developed through the MDP program and the importance of building professional networks while enrolled in the program.
These interventions were followed by a short presentation by Dr. Lucia Rodriguez, the Director of the MDP Global Association who kindly joined us for the celebration. Lucia emphasized the invaluable collaboration between the University of Florida MDP program and the MDP Global Association Secretariat.
Next Dr. Alioune Sow, the interim Director of the Center for African Studies, and Dr. Carlos De La Torre, the Director of the Center for Latin American Studies, congratulated faculty, staff, students and alumni, and spoke on the program’s values and contributions to the Centers. Finally, Dr. Christopher McCarty, an Associate Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and collaborator of the UF MDP program, manifested his enthusiasm for the professional diversity of MDP students and their passion and commitment to contribute to addressing sustainable development challenges around the world as global citizens.
Dr. Galloway concluded the formal part of the program expressing gratitude to the many people (core, affiliate, and non-affiliated faculty members, students and alumni), UF colleges and departments, funding sources, organizations that have hosted MDP students, the Secretariat of the Global Association of MDP programs, among others who have generously supported the UF MDP program in some manner.
The event was an excellent opportunity for the outgoing MDP cohort to celebrate their accomplishments and look forward embarking on new challenges where they will put into practice the skills, knowledge, and experiences they have developed while earning their MDP degrees. We are confident that they will make a significant impact in their respective fields and communities, and like past alumni, will be a source of pride for the UF MDP program and UF more broadly.
The event concluded with a reception, where everyone enjoyed food and drinks and continued the conversations about the MDP’s impact and legacy. We are grateful to Yadira Molina, Fallon Riaño-Jiménez, Laras Salsabila, Sarina Kawall, Alejandro Sánchez, Andrew Noss and Brittany Clarkefor their contribution to this event’s success and to Jamie Kraft of the Warrington College of Business for providing the lovely venue for the celebration. Above all, we are thankful to be a part of the MDP’s journey and look forward to many more years of success and impact.