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Joseph Lanning :: instructor
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An alumnus of the University of Rochester, Joe studied abroad in Kenya, Africa during his undergraduate education. Inspired by his experiences abroad, he came home and founded a non-profit organization: The World Education Fund (WEF). The WEF provides financial assistance to orphaned girls to secondary school and facilitates educational programs on sustainable agriculture, life skills and disease prevention. Following graduation, Joe spent two years in Malawi, Africa as a Peace Corps. volunteer. This experience led him to develop the Malawi Immersion Seminar, now in its sixth year. In 2007, Joe received his Masters in World History from the University. |
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Phillip Mlongoti :: program manager |
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Phillip Mlongoti completed secondary school in the Gowa Village at Gowa Community Day Secondary School in 2003. Phillip is currently continuing his studies in Rural and Community Development in Blantyre, Malawi. He enjoys working with the Malawi Immersion Seminar because it directly relates to his research in development studies. Having worked on development issues with American students and volunteers since 2000, Phillip has developed a keen ability to problem solve, translate, interview and be a leader on research projects with foreigners. He believes the visiting students benefit the greatest by living in the homes of Malawians and being participant observers in Malawian life. Phillip has worked with the Peace Corps, N'chima Trust, the Permaculture Network of Malawi and the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA). Phillip facilitates the projects and lectures with village leaders in areas of agriculture, traditional medicine and education. |
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Geoffrey Mlongoti :: program manager |
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Geoffrey Mlongoti was born in Blantyre, the "industrial capital" of Malawi. Gowa Village, the site of the Immersion Seminar's homestay and Geoffrey's home village, is about three hours from the city of Blantyre. A natural engineer, he has been constructing small machines, fixing cars, televisions and radios from an early age. Geoff currently studies Computing and Information Technology at Skyway Business College in Blantyre. He enjoys participating in the program because he values being a catalyst in the change that occurs for the American students while in Malawi. Geoff finds the exchange of ideas that comes from interacting with students to be the most important tool in developing a global perspective that respects all cultures. In Geoff's words, "The program has so far been quite beneficial to me and to most of the individuals living in Gowa and surrounding communities. One of these areas is Chauluka Village, where there is an irrigation scheme at which the American students have been helping for over 5 years now." In the past, Geoffrey has worked for the Permaculture Network of Malawi and as a counterpart to Peace Corps volunteers in Malawi. He currently assists with community assessment, homestays, and program planning for the Malawi Immersion Seminar. |
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José Perillan :: program manager |
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Jose Perillan graduated from the University of Rochester in 1998 with a double degree (BS & BA) in physics and religion. Since then he has continued his interdisciplinary studies at a graduate level earning two masters degrees in physics and history. Jose is currently finishing a joint PhD program through the physics and history departments at the University of Rochester.
Jose has extensive experience as a college counselor, a GHR (Graduate Head Resident) for residential life, and as an adjunct lecturer for physics, writing, and interdisciplinary courses. In 2006 he was awarded the prestigious Curtis Peck Graduate Teaching Award for excellence in teaching.
Jose first joined Joe Lanning on the Malawi Immersion program in 2003 and was immediately drawn in by the extraordinary transformative opportunity it offered. Since 2003 Jose has been working with Joe to build on this program and make it the unique life changing experience it is today. |
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