SUSHS asst. principal selected for YSEALI Professional Fellows Program

Asst. Prof. Joshua S. Soldivillo, Assistant Principal of the Silliman University Senior High School Department (SUSHS), has been chosen to participate in the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Professional Fellows Program.

This notable program, managed by the U.S. Department of State, aims to enhance leadership skills and build stronger connections between young Southeast Asian leaders and the United States.

Soldivillo, representing both the Philippines and SU, will undertake his fellowship at Montana Technological University in Butte, Montana, where he will work closely with U.S. professionals, faculty, and community leaders in the area of civic engagement.

His placement, scheduled from September 9 to October 18, 2024, will provide him with professional experiences, including orientation, hands-on work, and networking opportunities.

The YSEALI Professional Fellows Program gathers young leaders from 11 Southeast Asian nations, including Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor Leste, and Vietnam.

As one of four selected leaders from the Philippines, Soldivillo’s participation is under the Civic Engagement theme. His involvement includes several key components: virtual leadership training, mentorship, professional experience, community service, and the development of an action plan to address challenges in his home community.

Before traveling to Montana, Soldivillo completed a virtual “Leading Change” leadership course, aimed at enhancing his capabilities in community action and management. During his fellowship, he will be paired with an alumni mentor to provide guidance throughout his experience.

Over the course of his four-week placement, Soldivillo will gain practical experience in leadership and professional development, engage in community service, and work on an action plan to implement upon his return to the Philippines. This plan will address specific issues within his community, building on the insights gained from his U.S. experience.

After concluding his fellowship, Soldivillo will attend the YSEALI Fellows Forum (YFF) in Washington, DC. This event will offer additional networking opportunities, workshops, and speaker sessions to further enhance his professional skills.

Upon his return, Soldivillo will work on implementing his Action Plan and may invite a U.S. placement host to the Philippines for a reciprocal exchange project, continuing the collaborative spirit of the YSEALI program.