The Professional Fellows Program on Inclusive Civic Engagement
My First Week as a Professional Fellow: Exploring Inclusion in Action
Published: Oct 22, 2025
Country: Kenya
Roselyne Mburu is a 2025 Fellow in the Professional Fellows Program on Inclusive Civic Engagement. This program is sponsored by the US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and is administered by the Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) at the University of Massachusetts Boston in partnership with the African Disability Forum (ADF). The following blog post was written by guest author Roselyne.
On September 9, 2025, I began my Fellowship journey to the United States. My layover at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam was a highlight on its own. After months of only seeing each other online, I finally reunited with Fellows from Uganda and Tanzania. Meeting face-to-face for the first time was such a joyful and unforgettable moment.
Arriving in Boston felt almost unreal (Figure 1). At the airport, Dr. Heike Boeltzig-Brown, the amazing PFP program director, welcomed me warmly. Seeing her reminded me of the hard work she and her team put into making this fellowship possible, and I felt truly grateful.
Boston greeted us with sunshine, well-organized systems, and beautiful infrastructure. Soon after, we explored the city using the “T” train system. The accessibility of Boston’s transport stood out to me from simple ticketing to legal clauses reinforcing priority seating. Such thoughtful detail!
The highlight of our time in Boston was presenting our fellowship project ideas at the PFP Program Orientation event held on September 12 on the UMass Boston campus. In that conference room, professors, students, and Fellows all spoke a shared language of inclusion. Their curiosity and encouragement gave us fresh energy as we prepared to travel to different states, each of us carrying projects aimed at strengthening community support and advancing disability inclusion in our countries.
We also took some time to sightsee Boston and Cambridge. Visiting the Harvard University campus was a bucket-list moment and lunch at Charlie’s introduced me to Boston seafood.
On Sunday, September 14, it was time to part ways. Each Fellow headed to their host state, and for me, that meant heading to Minot, also known as the magic city in North Dakota. My welcome here was nothing short of heartwarming. My host family, Dr. Evan Borisinkoff, embraced me immediately, making the transition smoother.
On the first day of my fellowship, I joined my host for a drive to the state capital, Bismarck, which turned into both a cultural and bonding experience. At the Heritage Center and State Museum, I learned more about North Dakota’s rich history, which gave me a deeper appreciation for the state. Driving through North Dakota, I was struck by how intentional the state is about accessibility. Here, accessibility is not a favor but a recognized right, and that mindset is powerful.
On my second day, I visited the campus at Minot State University (MSU), and it was an exceptional experience. Dr. Borisinkoff introduced me to his colleagues in the Department of Education and Inclusive Services. To my surprise, my arrival was also featured in the university’s weekly e-newsletter. It felt so welcoming to be greeted by people who already knew about my visit.
On the third day, I had the privilege of accompanying Dr. Dan Conn, chair of the Department of Education and Inclusive Services at Minot State University, on a site visit to Belcourt, a small community in north-central North Dakota (Figure 2). It was inspiring to witness community-based schools offering inclusive learning and mentorship programs. What stood out was how these programs address systemic barriers, such as ensuring accessible transport for all students. The strong investment in early Head Start schools was equally remarkable, laying a foundation for inclusion from the very beginning.
This initiative strongly echoes the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly the aim of reducing intergenerational poverty by balancing systems and opportunities. Learning from Dr. Conn has already given me ideas on how to strategize around capacity building and partnerships to strengthen my own project on empowering the voices of persons with Down syndrome in Kenya. The approaches I have seen here, such as peer mentorship, early intervention, and inclusive education systems, will help me design tools that make self-advocacy practical and sustainable.
During this first week, I also visited other impactful organizations (Figure 3). At a Parent Resource Center, Program Director Mistie Boully-Clementich emphasized the importance of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and the need for parents and self-advocates to fully understand them. She also shared her personal journey, which showed the real power of self-advocacy and the independence it can bring. Learning about Pathfinder Services also gave me a fresh perspective. The way they create and share resources that directly support families and schools really resonated with me.
Another highlight was visiting the Minot State University – North Dakota Center for Persons with Disabilities (NDCPD). There I had a meeting with Tracey Olson, director of the ASTEP Project, which supports college access for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Their focus on inclusive classrooms, peer mentorship, and customized employment showed me how inclusion can thrive when it is intentional and practical at every level. These lessons will directly inform how I guide communities and families back home in giving persons with Down syndrome a stronger voice in education and employment spaces.
Of course, there have also been lighter moments. I had my very first McDonald’s breakfast (Figure 4)—something my son has always wanted me to try since we only have KFC back home. His reaction to my photos was priceless: pure excitement mixed with playful jealousy.
Looking back on this first week, I realize that this fellowship is not just about learning best practices, but it is also about shifting perspectives. Whether in Boston or rural North Dakota, I’ve seen how inclusion thrives when it is intentional. With three weeks still ahead, I’m excited to deepen my learning and apply these insights to amplify the voices of persons with Down Syndrome in Kenya.