Suci Utami Armand and Mollie Hand
The program manager and lecturer in the University of Wyoming’s Learning Resource
Network (LeaRN) has been selected to represent UW as part of the Young Southeast Asian
Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Professional Fellows Program Reciprocal Exchange, sponsored
by the U.S. Department of State and administered by American Councils for International
Education.
Mollie Hand will travel to Jambi, Indonesia, from Jan. 11–24 to conduct workshops
for university students, professional teachers and high school educators on strategies
for teaching writing and public speaking.
This opportunity stems from UW’s participation in the YSEALI Professional Fellows
Program in fall 2024, when Indonesian teacher and graduate student Suci Utami Armand
came to UW for a four-week professional placement with LeaRN. Hand served as both
Suci’s homestay host and professional mentor during her time at UW.
“I learned so much from hosting Suci,” Hand says. “I’m excited to learn even more
by visiting her in her home country. I remember driving her to see the snow in the
Snowy Mountains, but it was gone before we came -- she enjoyed the pine trees instead.
This time, I’ll get to see what inspires her in Jambi.”
Armand, who recently graduated with her master’s degree in English education at the
University of Education Indonesia in Bandung, describes her experience in Laramie
with gratitude.
“During my time at the University of Wyoming, I felt very happy,” she says. “I was
able to meet many people who were experts in their fields and observe several classes.
Mollie was an excellent host mother. She made sure my needs and activities went smoothly,
took me around Laramie and even cooked with me. We exchanged recipes and became like
family.”
The YSEALI Professional Fellows Program, a flagship initiative of the U.S. Department
of State, strengthens leadership development and networking among young professionals
in Southeast Asia. The program fosters collaboration on themes including civic engagement,
innovation, economic empowerment, governance and sustainability. Reciprocal exchanges
allow selected U.S. hosts to visit their fellows’ home countries to continue joint
projects that benefit both communities.
Programs offered by LeaRN include first-year student and faculty learning communities;
tutoring and supplemental instruction for high-challenge and communication-focused
courses; first-year experience programs; and support for first-generation students.
For more information about LeaRN initiatives, visit www.uwyo.edu/learn.
