Over the past decade, the J. Christopher Stevens Virtual Exchange Initiative has grown a dynamic global alumni network that serves as a cornerstone of its work. Virtual exchange is the beginning of an ongoing journey, not just a one-time experience. Alumni continue to build on the knowledge, skills, networks, and perspectives gained during their exchanges, creating lasting ripple effects in their communities and professional paths.

In this spirit, the J. Christopher Stevens Virtual Exchange Initiative is excited to announce the 2026 participants of the Alumni Academy, who will continue to expand and energize this global network.

The 2026 Alumni Academy is a merit-based professional development program for emerging alumni (ages 18-28) to strengthen their leadership and career skills through U.S.-informed learning and practice. From January through June 2026, 33 alumni from the United States and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) are participating in a hybrid program that draws on U.S. approaches to professional development and core leadership competencies. These include conflict resolution and peacebuilding, and the effective use of technology in leadership contexts. In May 2026, alumni will convene in Rabat, Morocco, for an intensive, hands-on solutions workshop grounded in U.S.-inspired design thinking approaches. Participants will collaborate in teams to identify challenges, refine ideas, design and prototype solutions, and test their practical use in real-world settings. In collaboration with local organizations, they will refine solutions through feedback and iteration while strengthening core professional competencies and applying leadership skills in complex, everyday contexts across the United States and the MENA region. Following the workshop, alumni will be eligible to apply for the second phase of the Academy, during which they will design and implement action projects, translating their learning into initiatives that advance local and regional prosperity across the U.S. and MENA region.

 The J. Christopher Stevens Virtual Exchange Initiative is a U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs program administered by the Aspen Institute.

Meet the 2026 Alumni Cohort

Abdulsalam Alshukri | Benghazi, Libya

Virtual Exchange: Soliya – Connect Program

Year of Participation: 2024

Aiman Qasem | Aden, Yemen (Currently in Cairo, Egypt)

Virtual Exchange: Amideast – Qisasna (“Our Stories”)

Year of Participation: 2022

Akram Sebai | Tangier, Morocco

Virtual Exchange: Soliya – Global Circles

Year of Participation: 2024

Avery Kachmarsky | California, U.S.

Virtual Exchange: Amideast – Qisasna (“Our Stories”)

Year of Participation: 2023

Avery Van Scoy | Arkansas, U.S. (Currently in Samoa)

Virtual Exchange: Florida International University – Virtual Tabadul

Year of Participation: 2025

Aya Moqbel | Aden, Yemen

Virtual Exchange: Amideast – Qisasna (“Our Stories”)

Year of Participation: 2019

Bashar Alamir | Amman, Jordan

Virtual Exchange: IREX – Global Solutions Challenge

Year of Participation: 2024

Chanelle McKenzie | New York, U.S.

Virtual Exchange: Soliya – Connect Program

Year of Participation: 2020

Emilie Salas | North Carolina, U.S.

Virtual Exchange: World Learning – The Experiment Digital

Year of Participation: 2020

Estefania de la Torre | Illinois, U.S.

Virtual Exchange: Global Nomads Group – Real Youth, Artificial Intelligence

Year of Participation: 2024

Fiordalise De Leon | New York, U.S.

Virtual Exchange: Amideast – Qisasna (“Our Stories”)

Year of Participation: 2024

Heba Saad | Arizona, U.S.

Virtual Exchange: United Planet – Youth2Youth Impact Investing

Year of Participation: 2024

Hussein Al-Ameri | Aden, Yemen

Virtual Exchange: World Learning – The Experiment Digital

Year of Participation: 2020

Iyas Sarhan | West Bank, Palestinian Territories

Virtual Exchange: Soliya – Connect Program

Year of Participation: 2024

Jayla Blake | Tennessee, U.S.

Virtual Exchange: Institute of International Education (IIE) – HIVER

Year of Participation: 2024

Jeremiah Washington | North Carolina, U.S.

Virtual Exchange: IREX – Global Solutions Challenge

Year of Participation: 2024

Lava Mohammed | Duhok, Iraq

Virtual Exchange: IREX – Global Solutions Challenge

Year of Participation: 2021

Leila Moassessi | Nevada, U.S.

Virtual Exchange: World Learning – The Experiment Digital

Year of Participation: 2020

Meriem Slimani | Algiers, Algeria

Virtual Exchanges: The Experiment Digital – World Learning, Global Circles – Soliya

Year of Participation: 2020, 2025

Mohamed Elsadek | Cairo, Egypt

Virtual Exchange: Institute of International Education (IIE) – HIVER

Year of Participation: 2024

Mohamed Rayen Gharbi | Tunis, Tunisia

Virtual Exchange: Soliya – Global Circles

Year of Participation: 2025

Mohammad Al-Otaibi  | Jabel Al-Ali, Kuwait

Virtual Exchange: Soliya – Global Circles

Year of Participation: 2024

Montaha Jomaa | Sousse, Tunisia

Virtual Exchange: Soliya – Connect Program

Year of Participation: 2023

Mustafa Al-Djely | Baghdad, Iraq

Virtual Exchange: World Learning – NextGen Coders Network

Year of Participation: 2021

Quinton Baldis  | Washington, D.C., U.S.

Virtual Exchange: World Learning – The Experiment Digital

Year of Participation: 2022

Reem Samy | Menoufia, Egypt

Virtual Exchange: Soliya – Global Circles

Year of Participation: 2025

Saad Naboulsi | Tangier, Morocco

Virtual Exchange: WorldDenver – World Affairs Challenge Virtual Exchange

Year of Participation: 2022

Salma Kaddour | Chefchaouen, Morocco

Virtual Exchange: Soliya – Connect Program

Year of Participation: 2022

Sara Aqariden | North Carolina, U.S.

Virtual Exchange: Soliya – Global Circles

Year of Participation: 2023

Sereta Fager | Michigan, U.S.

Virtual Exchange: Soliya – Connect Program

Year of Participation: 2022

Sojood Abusaada | Gaza, Palestinian Territories

Virtual Exchange: Soliya – Connect Program

Year of Participation: 2020

Sol Siddiqui | Pennsylvania, U.S.

Virtual Exchange: United Planet – Youth2Youth Impact Investing

Year of Participation: 2025

Zeyad Abdelfattah | Fayoum, Egypt

Virtual Exchange: World Learning – The Experiment Digital

Year of Participation: 2021

Get to Know Past Cohorts

2024 Cohort
2023 Cohort
2022 Cohort