Expanding the Classroom

At Chatham Hall, a powerful transformation occurs for our students when they take their learning beyond the classroom. This world-changing work of impact is the ultimate goal, and Ana G.C. ’26 is one of those Chatham Hall students making waves in the world around her.  One such recent wave was at the Consortium of Universities for Global Health (CUGH) Conference in Washington, D.C., an international gathering of leaders, researchers, and changemakers working to solve some of the most complex challenges in global health.

Reflecting on the experience, Ana shared her deep gratitude for the opportunity and the impact it had on her perspective. The conference, sponsored by organizations including the United Nations, Pfizer, the World Health Organization, and the AAMC, brought together approximately 1,500 professionals from across disciplines: human and veterinary health, environmental science, engineering, and more. It was a powerful intersection of ideas, expertise, and purpose.

“At first, I was nervous,” Ana admitted. “I was the youngest attendee there, and I wasn’t sure how I would fit in.” But that hesitation quickly gave way to something more meaningful. “I soon realized that my limited professional experience didn’t matter—we were all there for the same goal: to create solutions to challenges in global health.”

Throughout the conference, Ana engaged directly with a remarkable range of professionals, from PhD students and physicians to nonprofit leaders and clinical researchers. She listened to global health leaders from countries including Kenya, Mexico, Ethiopia, and India, and even conducted interviews with experts from France and Ghana for her own research.

“I can’t wait to present at the symposium,” she shared, already looking ahead to the next step in her academic journey. The experience also opened doors to deeper conversations and inspiration. Ana connected with a research fellow from Stanford working to use computer modeling to predict health outcomes for children in Ethiopia, his home country. He encouraged her to return next year, and even to present her own research.

One of the most powerful moments came from an inspiring account. “I met a woman who survived one of the most fatal stages of HIV as a child,” Ana shared, “and later became one of the first Zambian women to receive permission to enter the United States to conduct infectious disease research and advocacy.”

Moments like these brought global health into sharp, human focus, reminding Ana not only of the challenges ahead, but of the resilience and leadership shaping solutions. By the end of the conference, Ana’s voice was not only included, but it was also invited to continue. She was encouraged to apply for a position on an Advisory Committee that meets monthly to review global health trends and develop innovative solutions.

“It was such an eye-opening experience,” she reflected. Ana’s experience is a powerful example of what happens when curiosity meets opportunity. Supported by Chatham Hall’s commitment to experiential learning and global engagement, she stepped into a space typically reserved for seasoned professionals and left as a contributor, collaborator, and emerging leader. This is what it means to learn beyond limits. This is Chatham Hall.