JADA SECONE
National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG), M.A., Gender, Globalization, and Human Rights
State University of New York at Plattsburgh, B.A., Women’s Studies, Sociology

While at SUNY Plattsburgh, Jada focused on gender studies, human rights, and social justice. As an undergraduate, Jada studied abroad at the University of Cape Town, South Africa, and attended various Women’s World Conferences around the world. She attended the University of Ireland in Galway for her master’s degree in gender, globalization, and human rights and focused on men and masculinities within a South African context for her dissertation. After finishing school, she worked in homeless and domestic violence services in Washington, D.C., specifically advocating for homeless transgender youth. After D.C., she moved to Oakland, California, and continued working in the nonprofit sector in a position at an alternative high school for pregnant teens and teen moms. She has traveled extensively throughout Europe and West and Southern Africa, and has spent the last eight winters traveling to Central and South America. She is passionate about programs designed to bring global gender awareness to students and has devoted her work to teaching. Jada is in her sixth year teaching at SUNY Plattsburgh in the Gender and Women’s Studies Department. She has developed courses on global gender issues, power and sexuality, queer film, men and masculinities, and the politics of travel. In 2013, she co-led a group of college students to Hyderabad, India, for a faculty-led study abroad program and to attend the Women’s World Conference. Jada led Putney’s Community Service Nepal program last summer.

JOHN O’CONNOR
University of the Pacific, M.A., Education
Saint Michael’s College, B.A., Religious Studies

Throughout John’s life, exploration and development of interpersonal connection has been of utmost importance in his learning and daily growth. While at Saint Michael’s College, he studied Buddhism and Eastern religion, and visited South India for a study abroad program. He was immediately inspired by the people and cultures and has since returned to India, Nepal, and parts of Southeast Asia to further explore these traditions and provide service for people in need. During a study abroad semester, John lived in a Buddhist monastery with Burmese monks and practiced various forms of meditation, in addition to participating in retreats and taking other academic courses. After graduation, John worked in a school in Massachusetts, but desired to get involved in experiential education. For a year he lived and worked aboard Schooner Roseway, a 137-foot wooden ship that ran educational programs out of Boston and the U.S. Virgin Islands. More recently, John has been living in the Bay Area and just completed a graduate program in education while working as a multidisciplinary fourth grade teacher at an elementary school. He works on developing compassion and believes that kindness and service are vitally important to the cultivation of a healthier world. John has led high school student trips abroad to India and Nepal.