Katie Aker is a current graduate student in the International Education Management and Public Administration programs at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies (MIIS). She is passionate about working at the intersection of international education and sustainable development with a focus on international exchange for social impact. Prior to starting her graduate studies, Katie served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Peru, working on community economic development projects with local artisans and youth for two years. She has experience working, studying, and volunteering in various countries in Latin America, Europe, and Africa. Most recently, she facilitated an action research project on sustainable agriculture in the Peruvian highlands with a group of undergraduate students through Middlebury and MIIS’ Social Impact Corps program. Katie is originally from Aurora, Colorado and received a BS in Business Administration with a concentration in organizational management and a BA in Spanish from Colorado State University.
Director, Professional Immersive Learning Programs Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey
Carolyn (Taylor) Meyer is Director of Professional Immersive Learning and Special Programs in the Graduate School of International Policy & Management at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. She manages semester-long immersive learning programs such as the International Professional Service Semester (IPSS), DPMI International Development Practicum (DPMI Plus), and International Education Practicum (IEM). She served as the main staff member for the Frontier Market Scouts (FMS) impact investing and social enterprise fellowship during its first three years of development. In addition to semester-long immersive learning programs, Carolyn work swith MIIS international practica. These practica are on-site courses offered in January, Spring Break, and during the summer with partners and at locations around the world (ex: AUC in Egypt, PIH in Rwanda, Aga Khan in Kenya, and CTU in the Czech Republic). Carolyn also helps design and manage specialized short trainings open to participants who are not currently enrolled at the Institute but are looking to learn new skills related to MIIS degree programs.
She advises MIIS graduate students interested in participating in a semester-long immersive learning program/fellowship/co-op while also building a network of international and domestic internship opportunities at field and headquarter locations within the security, environmental policy, conflict resolution, social enterprise, and development sectors.
Carolyn has extensive experience working with academic communities, both as a faculty and staff member. She worked on staff at Butler University’s Office of International Student Services and in the creation of the Monterey College of Law’s Mandell-Gisnett Center for Conflict Management. Prior to joining the Institute in 2006, she served as a public relations consultant for educational institutions in Monterey County, worked as a legislative analyst for the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund in Washington, DC, edited online content at the Indianapolis Star, and worked in publishing at the American College of Sports Medicine. She has also served as a regular adjunct instructor in International Relations and Politics of Developing Countries at the Monterey Peninsula College from 2006-2015.
Carolyn has traveled to over 30 countries and has spent time studying in Spain and working in Mexico. Recent work trips include participation in a human capacity-building project with the Rumicocha Foundation in Quito, Ecuador, coordination of a project management training at Partners in Health in Rwanda, and co-design of a social entrepreneurship certificate program in India.
