Biographies
Craig Heller, PhD
Co-Founder & Executive Director
cwheller@joinGCE.org
Craig Heller was raised in several different countries and has worked in international education for the past 15 years. After earning his PhD in Higher Education and Women’s Studies from The Pennsylvania State University, he taught at a variety of universities around the world, specializing in social stratification and how education can both create inequality as well as provide opportunities for empowerment.
Dr. Heller has organized and led many study abroad experiences for university students and has worked as a teacher and consultant for both The Open Society Institute (part of the Soros Foundation) and the International Foundation for Education and Self-Help, an organization founded by the late Rev. Leon Sullivan, that sends teachers and volunteers to Africa.
In 2000, Dr. Heller and his wife, Dr. Ingrid Martinez Rico, founded Global Community Engagement in an effort to introduce individuals to some of the realities of life in the developing world.Each year GCE leads groups of students and professionals on service learning community engagement projects focusing on underprivileged children.
"My hope is that each person that works with us is moved by a recognition of her own privilege and comes to recognize her ability to help break the cycles of poverty that so many children around the world are trapped in.”
Co-Founder & Executive Director
cwheller@joinGCE.org
Craig Heller was raised in several different countries and has worked in international education for the past 15 years. After earning his PhD in Higher Education and Women’s Studies from The Pennsylvania State University, he taught at a variety of universities around the world, specializing in social stratification and how education can both create inequality as well as provide opportunities for empowerment.Dr. Heller has organized and led many study abroad experiences for university students and has worked as a teacher and consultant for both The Open Society Institute (part of the Soros Foundation) and the International Foundation for Education and Self-Help, an organization founded by the late Rev. Leon Sullivan, that sends teachers and volunteers to Africa.
In 2000, Dr. Heller and his wife, Dr. Ingrid Martinez Rico, founded Global Community Engagement in an effort to introduce individuals to some of the realities of life in the developing world.Each year GCE leads groups of students and professionals on service learning community engagement projects focusing on underprivileged children.
"My hope is that each person that works with us is moved by a recognition of her own privilege and comes to recognize her ability to help break the cycles of poverty that so many children around the world are trapped in.”
Ingrid Martinez-Rico, PhD
Co-Founder & President
Ingrid has long been aware of the disparities that exist between the privileged and those on the margins of society. She first began an active role in improving the lives of children working at Nyumbani, an orphanage in Nairobi, Kenya for HIV-positive children. In 2000, with her husband Craig Heller, she started Global Community Engagement in order to introduce college students in the United States to some of the stark realities for children in the developing world.
Born in Germany of Spanish parents, Ingrid is fluent in Spanish, German and English. After attending her senior year of high school in the United States, she graduated from Deusto Unversity in Bilbao, Spain with a degree in English Philology before earning her PhD in Comparative Literature from The Pennsylvania State University.
Ingrid has long been a champion for children and other underprivileged populations around the world. After working with HIV-positive orphans in Kenya, women's groups in Lithuania and migrant workers in southwest Florida, Ingrid committed herself to a focused effort in the Dominican Republic improving the lives of children who live and work on the streets.
Co-Founder & President
Ingrid has long been aware of the disparities that exist between the privileged and those on the margins of society. She first began an active role in improving the lives of children working at Nyumbani, an orphanage in Nairobi, Kenya for HIV-positive children. In 2000, with her husband Craig Heller, she started Global Community Engagement in order to introduce college students in the United States to some of the stark realities for children in the developing world.Born in Germany of Spanish parents, Ingrid is fluent in Spanish, German and English. After attending her senior year of high school in the United States, she graduated from Deusto Unversity in Bilbao, Spain with a degree in English Philology before earning her PhD in Comparative Literature from The Pennsylvania State University.
Ingrid has long been a champion for children and other underprivileged populations around the world. After working with HIV-positive orphans in Kenya, women's groups in Lithuania and migrant workers in southwest Florida, Ingrid committed herself to a focused effort in the Dominican Republic improving the lives of children who live and work on the streets.
Lisi Lau
Associate Director
lisilau@joinGCE.org
Lisi, of Cuban and Chinese descent, was born and raised in the United States and received her Bachelor’s degree in Communication from Florida Gulf Coast University. While at FGCU, Lisi was a very active student leader becoming involved in many organizations for multicultural and international awareness, human rights, and service. She has been working in education for several years particularly with leadership development, student advocacy and intercultural communication.
Lisi has been working and leading international projects with Global Community Engagement since 2004. Inspired by her mentors, Dr. Ingrid Martinez-Rico and Dr. Craig Heller, she has participated in different capacities, starting as a student, continuing as a Program Assistant and now Director of Planning and Operations
“When such a profound opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the underprivileged presents itself to those of us who have been born into a more advantaged situation, we have two choices: we can remain comfortable where we are and say that it’s not our role to help, or we can be proactive in building compassion, recognizing the price that others pay for our comfort.”
Associate Director
lisilau@joinGCE.org
Lisi, of Cuban and Chinese descent, was born and raised in the United States and received her Bachelor’s degree in Communication from Florida Gulf Coast University. While at FGCU, Lisi was a very active student leader becoming involved in many organizations for multicultural and international awareness, human rights, and service. She has been working in education for several years particularly with leadership development, student advocacy and intercultural communication.Lisi has been working and leading international projects with Global Community Engagement since 2004. Inspired by her mentors, Dr. Ingrid Martinez-Rico and Dr. Craig Heller, she has participated in different capacities, starting as a student, continuing as a Program Assistant and now Director of Planning and Operations
“When such a profound opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the underprivileged presents itself to those of us who have been born into a more advantaged situation, we have two choices: we can remain comfortable where we are and say that it’s not our role to help, or we can be proactive in building compassion, recognizing the price that others pay for our comfort.”
Jennifer Mitchell
Director of Business Development
jlmitche@joinGCE.org
Jennifer Mitchell was born in Michigan, raised in Florida and is a graduate of FGCU's Hospitality program. During her time at FGCU she involved herself in many international and multi-cultural organizations and activities that enlightened and sparked her passion for activism. Her professional and volunteer experiences include a focus in business management, customer service and childhood education.
In 2003 Jennifer became involved in FGCU’s Spanish Club (a student led group that provides opportunity to work with unprivileged children in the Dominican Republic). It was there that her bond with Dr. Ingrid Martinez-Rico and Dr. Craig Heller was created and strengthened. Falling instantly in love with the project, the idea of engagement and global sustainability, the culture and people of the Dominican Republic, she sought out various opportunities to give back to the local and international community. In the four years she committed to the club, her role of activities coordinator and mentor to new participants led to her involvement to GCE. Jennifer shares her passion for creating awareness of this vast world in which we share with so many less fortunate and empowering those to take action for change.
“My hope with GCE is that we are able touch as many people as possible, who may be directly or indirectly involved in this project. There is so much of the world that has been untouched, uncared for, or forgotten about; and through mine and GCE’s efforts there is faith that compassion and perseverance will overcome iniquity."
Director of Business Development
jlmitche@joinGCE.org
Jennifer Mitchell was born in Michigan, raised in Florida and is a graduate of FGCU's Hospitality program. During her time at FGCU she involved herself in many international and multi-cultural organizations and activities that enlightened and sparked her passion for activism. Her professional and volunteer experiences include a focus in business management, customer service and childhood education.In 2003 Jennifer became involved in FGCU’s Spanish Club (a student led group that provides opportunity to work with unprivileged children in the Dominican Republic). It was there that her bond with Dr. Ingrid Martinez-Rico and Dr. Craig Heller was created and strengthened. Falling instantly in love with the project, the idea of engagement and global sustainability, the culture and people of the Dominican Republic, she sought out various opportunities to give back to the local and international community. In the four years she committed to the club, her role of activities coordinator and mentor to new participants led to her involvement to GCE. Jennifer shares her passion for creating awareness of this vast world in which we share with so many less fortunate and empowering those to take action for change.
“My hope with GCE is that we are able touch as many people as possible, who may be directly or indirectly involved in this project. There is so much of the world that has been untouched, uncared for, or forgotten about; and through mine and GCE’s efforts there is faith that compassion and perseverance will overcome iniquity."
Bianny Fernandez
fernanb@JoinGCE.org
Bianny Fernández, born in the Dominican Republic, moved to the United States in 1994 at the age of eleven. Her interest in service became apparent to many as she graduated high school with over 2,000 hours. In 2001, as a freshman in college pursuing a degree in elementary education, Bianny was invited to attend an informational meeting on a service project that took place every spring break in the Dominican Republic. After meeting who then became her mentors, Ingrid Martinez-Rico and Craig Heller, Bianny felt in love with the project and participated five years.
In 2006 and while starting her master’s degree at Florida International University (FIU), Bianny began a service project taking groups of over 15 students to the Dominican Republic. Friendship, Exploring My Interests, and Caring for My Health, are a few of the themes her group of students have developed while volunteering. Every year Bianny writes a song, somewhat of a trademark, that is aligned with that year’s theme. This song is then shared and learned by all of the participants and finally taught to the children during the implementation of the project. Bianny says that hearing the children sing with the college students, is a priceless demonstration of how individuals can unite to offer disadvantaged children hope.
“That one week that I am in the Dominican Republic I have no worries, I have no concerns. I am in heaven! It is as though the only important thing is the time being spent with the children that very moment—I am in a bliss; as happy as I could possibly be; I feel productive; I feel as though I am on this earth for a reason—I feel connected; I feel at peace.”
fernanb@JoinGCE.org
Bianny Fernández, born in the Dominican Republic, moved to the United States in 1994 at the age of eleven. Her interest in service became apparent to many as she graduated high school with over 2,000 hours. In 2001, as a freshman in college pursuing a degree in elementary education, Bianny was invited to attend an informational meeting on a service project that took place every spring break in the Dominican Republic. After meeting who then became her mentors, Ingrid Martinez-Rico and Craig Heller, Bianny felt in love with the project and participated five years. In 2006 and while starting her master’s degree at Florida International University (FIU), Bianny began a service project taking groups of over 15 students to the Dominican Republic. Friendship, Exploring My Interests, and Caring for My Health, are a few of the themes her group of students have developed while volunteering. Every year Bianny writes a song, somewhat of a trademark, that is aligned with that year’s theme. This song is then shared and learned by all of the participants and finally taught to the children during the implementation of the project. Bianny says that hearing the children sing with the college students, is a priceless demonstration of how individuals can unite to offer disadvantaged children hope.
“That one week that I am in the Dominican Republic I have no worries, I have no concerns. I am in heaven! It is as though the only important thing is the time being spent with the children that very moment—I am in a bliss; as happy as I could possibly be; I feel productive; I feel as though I am on this earth for a reason—I feel connected; I feel at peace.”
Victor Tejera
vtejera@JoinGCE.org
Born in Miami, Florida to Cuban refugees, Victor has long been aware of the discrepancies existing between the developed and developing worlds. Having been exposed to multicultural engagement activities in France, the Dominican Republic, and Guyana, Victor has long valued the importance of intercultural collaboration. During his undergraduate and graduate studies at Florida Gulf Coast University, under the guidance of Dr. Ingrid Martinez-Rico and Dr. Craig Heller, Victor developed a passion for service learning. This eventually led to the impetus in pursuing his career as a Social Worker. While at Florida Gulf Coast University, Victor was involved in assisting with the development of the international service learning activities a part of Global Community Engagement.
Since graduating with a Master of Social Work; Victor has worked in the areas of service delivery to: migrant communities, children and adults with mental health and psychiatric difficulties, and children with cognitive and physical delays, in the Miami-Dade, Broward, Hendry, Collier, and Lee Counties of Florida. Victor shares an enthusiasm and drive with his peers at GCE, to assure its mission is carried out in a meaningful and compassionate way.
“The Dominican Republic has long provided much of my family with a place of refuge and peace. Having had the opportunity to travel there since a child and with the experiences given to me by GCE, I truly have created a bond with a country so rich in culture and life, which has brought meaning and purpose to my own life. I hope to be able to create such experiences for other individuals throughout the world as well.”
vtejera@JoinGCE.org
Born in Miami, Florida to Cuban refugees, Victor has long been aware of the discrepancies existing between the developed and developing worlds. Having been exposed to multicultural engagement activities in France, the Dominican Republic, and Guyana, Victor has long valued the importance of intercultural collaboration. During his undergraduate and graduate studies at Florida Gulf Coast University, under the guidance of Dr. Ingrid Martinez-Rico and Dr. Craig Heller, Victor developed a passion for service learning. This eventually led to the impetus in pursuing his career as a Social Worker. While at Florida Gulf Coast University, Victor was involved in assisting with the development of the international service learning activities a part of Global Community Engagement.
Since graduating with a Master of Social Work; Victor has worked in the areas of service delivery to: migrant communities, children and adults with mental health and psychiatric difficulties, and children with cognitive and physical delays, in the Miami-Dade, Broward, Hendry, Collier, and Lee Counties of Florida. Victor shares an enthusiasm and drive with his peers at GCE, to assure its mission is carried out in a meaningful and compassionate way.
“The Dominican Republic has long provided much of my family with a place of refuge and peace. Having had the opportunity to travel there since a child and with the experiences given to me by GCE, I truly have created a bond with a country so rich in culture and life, which has brought meaning and purpose to my own life. I hope to be able to create such experiences for other individuals throughout the world as well.”
Marcus Cumbie
Director of Information Technology
mcumbie@joinGCE.org
Marcus is a native of Michigan and in 2003 settled on the east coast of Southern Florida. In September of 2008 he attended his first formal presentation by GCE and has since kept his fingers on the pulse of the organization. After 18 months of helping out where he could he finally made the leap and spent his honeymoon in the Dominican Republic where the children changed the lives of him and his wife. Since this visit, Marcus has help direct initiatives to bring technology and other advances to the children of Santiago and the people that work with them.
Once back in the States from his honeymoon, Marcus focused more on the program and enrolled into a college program to pursue a degree in Computer Science. His biggest dream with this new direction is that he can achieve two goals with his education and experience. First, that he can be an asset to GCE as vocational programming is designed to offer children advanced training opportunities that would never be afforded to them otherwise. Secondly, to help show the children that there is an entire world waiting for them behind the computer screen that they have as much right to influence as more privileged kids do.
“When you've spent time with children that are severely disadvantaged it changes your perspective in dramatic fashion. Surrounded by pop culture, gossip, and what shoes a celebrity is wearing; you become immediately aware of how unimportant these things are and your regard for life skyrockets. I remind my friends and family constantly now that what separates the life they have with that of these children is simply where they were born. It really is a shaking experience”
Director of Information Technology
mcumbie@joinGCE.org
Marcus is a native of Michigan and in 2003 settled on the east coast of Southern Florida. In September of 2008 he attended his first formal presentation by GCE and has since kept his fingers on the pulse of the organization. After 18 months of helping out where he could he finally made the leap and spent his honeymoon in the Dominican Republic where the children changed the lives of him and his wife. Since this visit, Marcus has help direct initiatives to bring technology and other advances to the children of Santiago and the people that work with them.Once back in the States from his honeymoon, Marcus focused more on the program and enrolled into a college program to pursue a degree in Computer Science. His biggest dream with this new direction is that he can achieve two goals with his education and experience. First, that he can be an asset to GCE as vocational programming is designed to offer children advanced training opportunities that would never be afforded to them otherwise. Secondly, to help show the children that there is an entire world waiting for them behind the computer screen that they have as much right to influence as more privileged kids do.
“When you've spent time with children that are severely disadvantaged it changes your perspective in dramatic fashion. Surrounded by pop culture, gossip, and what shoes a celebrity is wearing; you become immediately aware of how unimportant these things are and your regard for life skyrockets. I remind my friends and family constantly now that what separates the life they have with that of these children is simply where they were born. It really is a shaking experience”
