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Since 1998, MCID’s Washington, DC office has worked with the US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs to design and implement the International Visitor (IV) Program. The IV program emphasizes increased mutual understanding through communication at the personal and professional levels and annually brings to the United States approximately 5,000 foreign nationals from all over the world to experience America firsthand. The visitors, who are current or potential leaders in government, politics, the media, education, labor relations, the arts, business and other fields are selected by American Officials overseas. More than 200 current and former Heads of State, 1,500 cabinet-level ministers, and many other distinguished world leaders in government and the private sector have participated.

MCID works closely with the member organizations of National Council for International Visitors (NCIV) to capture the essence of communities across the United States through professional programming, tours that highlight regional history and geography, and hospitality hosted by local families.

About MCID

The Mississippi Consortium for International Development (MCID), established in 1989 and headquartered in Jackson, Mississippi, represents a collaborative endeavor of four historically Black institutions of higher learning in Mississippi: Alcorn State University; Jackson State University; Mississippi Valley State University; and Tougaloo College. Since its inception, the Consortium has rapidly gained an outstanding reputation in the management and implementation of international exchange and development training projects. Consortium objectives have been carried out through academic and technical training, technical assistance, leadership development, collaborative research, and social and cultural exchanges.

MCID has had extensive experience in project development and management through more than 500 international development and exchange projects involving countries in Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Newly Independent States (NIS), and the Middle East. MCID has offices in Luanda, Angola; and Abuja, Nigeria; and representatives in South Africa, Russia, and Romania.

Program Mission

To develop leaders, strengthen institutions, engage citizens, establish community linkages, and foster global partnerships that include government, business, and civil society in order to enhance the understanding of international affairs, strengthen democratic values, promote international cooperation and advance human achievement.

Individual projects explore in-depth issues of pressing international concern through informal dialogue with American counterparts and hands-on practical experience aimed at fostering a rich understanding of global matters.

Recent/Upcoming Programs

November 2003

Emergency Management for Sweden
U.S.-Spanish Counter Terrorism for Spain

October 2003

Administration of Justice for Ecuador
Judicial Systems for Egypt
Women in Journalism for Shanghai

September 2003

Quality Control of Exported Goods for Gaza
Appellate Court Judges for Brazil
Museum Administration and Management for United Arab Emirates
Print Journalism for Syria
Print Media Management for Czech Republic

August 2003

Television Broadcasting for countries in the Eastern Caribbean
Terrorism Prevention for Ireland
University Administration for Bangladesh
Information Technology Management for Okinawa

MCID Team

Crystal Kelch, Director of MCID Washington (e-mail link: crkelch@mcidwashington.org) – Ms. Kelch earned a Master’s of Business Administration from American University with a sub specialty in International Management. She completed her undergraduate work at Boston University concentrating on International Affairs and Economics. Before becoming involved in the International Visitor Program, Crystal’s professional experience included working with a public-private partnership building business linkages between American and foreign companies and with a nationally recognized investment management firm helping investors make informed decisions about their portfolios. But in the last decade, the International Visitor Program has formed a pinpoint focus of Crystal’s career. During her involvement with the program she has trained staff, supervised the work of her fellow program officers, and created insightful programs for many distinguished visitors from around the globe. In January 2003, she assumed the position of Director of MCID Washington.

Wanda Raiford, Senior Program Officer (e-mail link: wanda@mcidwashington.org) – Ms. Raiford joined MCID in 2001 as Program Officer and was promoted to Senior Program Officer in January 2003. Before joining MCID, Ms. Raiford practiced law in civil and criminal appeals. She has worked as a Senior Attorney with the Florida Attorney General’s and as an Assistant County Attorney for Palm Beach County, Florida. She also represented clients at a boutique criminal defense firm. She is admitted to practice law in Florida and New York. In addition to her work as a lawyer, Ms. Raiford was a legislative staffer with Senator Bob Graham (D-Fla.), a lexicographer, a librarian and pastry cook. She earned her JD from University of Miami School of Law and a BA from Brown University.

Debbie Dabrowski, Program Officer (e-mail link: ddabrowski@mcidwashington.org) – Ms. Dabrowski joined MCID in January 2003 as Program Officer. She comes to MCID from a career in public relations, with extensive experience in events planning, project management, strategic planning and budgeting, media relations, and publication design. She previously worked at two top-10 global public relations agencies, a corporation, and a nonprofit organization. Ms. Dabrowski will earn a master’s degree in International Education from George Washington University in December 2003 in which her studies have focused on conflict resolution, intercultural communication and international exchange programs. She earned her BA in journalism from the University of Maryland at College Park.

Julius Bass, Director of Finance (e-mail link: DIRFNMC@aol.com) – Mr. Bass serves as MCID’s Director of Finance. A graduate of Jackson State University, Mr. Bass has worked with the organization since its inception.

Links

Mississippi Consortium for International Development Headquarters 

U.S. Department of State International Visitor Program 

National Council for International Visitors 
Alcorn State University

Jackson State University

Mississippi Valley State University

Tougaloo College

Contact Us

By mail:
1012 14th Street, NW
Suite 1101
Washington, DC 20005-3406

Telephone: 202-737-2153 or 800-413-9845
Facsimile: 202-737-3434

E-mail: programs@mcidwashington.org

MCID Jackson can be reached at:

1225 Robinson Street
Jackson, Mississippi 39203

Telephone: 601-979-8648
Facsimile: 601-979-8657

E-mail: amack35781@aol.com

Internships

Are you enthusiastic, dedicated and looking for a way to get substantive international relations, education and multicultural communications experience on your resume? The Mississippi Consortium for International Development (MCID) is seeking interns to work 15-20 hours per week. The internship is unpaid or for college credit.

As an intern, you will work with MCID Program Officers to design programs for visitors from around the world. Responsibilities would include:

• Researching topic areas and helping develop program itineraries 
• Compiling program materials for visitors and meeting participants
• Coordinating meetings between international visitors and relevant DC-based experts in specific fields
• Working with U.S. State Department Program Officers and Councils of International Visitors around the country to implement programming

To apply, please send your resume and cover letter to Debbie Dabrowski by e-mail at ddabrowski@mcidwashington.org or by fax at 202-737-3434.