Integrating Faith and Culture: Eastern Alumnus’s Path to Global Education Leadership

Integrating Faith and Culture: Eastern Alumnus's Path to Global Education Leadership

When Luis Manuel Ortiz set out to continue his education, he had two goals in mind: to prepare for mission work abroad and to open doors for a career in higher education. He found the perfect fit in Eastern University's Master's in Theological and Cultural Anthropology(MATCA) program.

Today, Luis is pursuing a PhD in Educational Leadership at Drexel University while working at Worthy & True, a nonprofit Christian organization and school in Cambodia. The organization provides high-quality education to children from underserved communities and is equally committed to equipping and empowering local Cambodian teachers through its custom curriculum and training programs.

As the Director of Instructional Design at Worthy & True, Luis develops engaging learning experiences that equip Cambodian adults with industry-relevant skills. He has designed online courses tailored specifically for local teachers, making the content both accessible and culturally relevant while addressing their unique educational needs. His master's degree from Eastern equipped him to "create meaningful and practical content that bridges knowledge and skill gaps, ensuring the learning is applicable to their professional environments."

Looking ahead, Luis is developing and launching an online course for Worthy & True's Teaching Fellows Program, which equips Cambodian educators to inspire and support students, beginning in early childhood education. Worthy & True offered a two-year hybrid program with training in a child-centered, dual-language STEAM curriculum, English proficiency through Off2Class, and ongoing coaching. In the last, it has shifted to an asynchronous model to provide more access to this training for local Cambodians. Fellows also participate in regular assessments using materials aligned with U.S. educational standards to ensure they deliver high-quality, innovative instruction. Luis plans to continue expanding the program by launching additional online courses and enhancing the overall user experience.

Luis credits his master's program at Eastern University for providing hands-on experience in navigating cultural and linguistic differences, an essential foundation for his mission work abroad. "We often can't perceive how God prepares us along the way for work He invites us into in a different season," he reflects. "My coursework and experiences at Eastern have shaped my perspective and opened doors to contribute meaningfully to God's work internationally."