Behind the Center for Service and Global Citizenship (CSGC) Office

COURTESY OF THE CSGC OFFICE

Three pillars define the Center for Service and Global Citizenship: global studies, sustainability, and service, according to Jordan Brown, Director of Summer Programs and Assistant Director of the CSGC.

CSGC programming—from trips to summer grant opportunities—allows students to gain “three p’s,” Associate Director of the CSGC Office Beatrix Giraldo explained. “Place, perspectives, and participation … I like those lenses,” she said. 

The office’s trip offerings for the 2025-2026 school year include previous destinations such as Spain, Germany, and France, as well as new ones such as the Galapagos Islands. Mr. Brown said that the trips give students an opportunity “they couldn't otherwise experience on their own.” Ms. Giraldo added, “It's learning. It's hard work.” 

Two to three teachers usually lead each trip. “They go beyond their role in caring for the students, and in caring about the learning experience, they put in so much time. We couldn't do it without them,” Ms. Giraldo explained.

Deerfield developed strong relationships with other institutions and organizations through communication, trust, and mutual interactions. For example, the trip to the Bahamas is hosted by the Island School in the Bahamas and their research center, Cape Eleuthera Institute. “Thanks to the partnership, we are able to connect with the scientists and to expose students to real field research while visiting the school,” Ms. Giraldo said. 

Another example is the trip to the Dominican Republic. Math Teacher Sheryl Koyama not only led the trip for years but also served on the board of a local Dominican organization partnering with Deerfield, Cambiando Vidas. Ms. Giraldo emphasized the program’s focus on local, authentic, and direct interactions through the community-based and local economy beneficial activities across all trips. 

During the trip preparation process, the leaders aim to find partnering programs with deep local knowledge. When they’re choosing hotels, they make sure those are locally owned so the trips contribute to the local economy. “That’s what we want our students to experience, a very direct contact with the culture and the language,” Ms. Giraldo said.

The Academy’s partnerships with organizations shape the trip experience, but the students also contribute, encouraging their younger peers to be active and involved. According to Mr. Brown, this sense of community and willingness to support other Deerfield students continues even after graduation. “[This spirit is] the reason a lot of people choose to come to Deerfield,” he said. 

Graduates pause and support the current peers; current students look forward and help the community. This process of finding ways to help the people around is challenging yet rewarding, Mr. Brown described. “It's important that we're all continuing to push ourselves outside of our comfort zone, learn new things, and make new connections,” he said.

Associate Editor for the Scroll Rory Hartblay ’26 extended his interest in food security through the CSGC grant program. Partnering with a local farm in California this past summer, he helped make and distribute locally grown food. 

Reflecting on the impact the program had on him, Hartblay expressed his appreciation for the meals Deerfield dining hall prepares. He noted that many areas across the country lack access to three meals a day. “I got a better understanding of why it’s important to think about gratitude and why we’re so thankful to have access to food ourselves,” Hartblay said. 

For students thinking about their own involvement in the summer grant program, Hartblay suggested, “[Do] a bit of investigation into your own community and see what’s lacking.”