Rita Sogoti ‘26 CLAS Awarded Prestigious Frederick Douglass-Daniel O’Connell Global Internship

Villanova, Pa. (January 15, 2025)-Villanova University junior Rita Sogoti '26, a Criminology major in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, has been selected by The Council on International Educational Exchange and the African American Irish Diaspora Network for the 2025 Frederick Douglass-Daniel O'Connell Global Internship. Sogoti will join a diverse cohort of 12 high-achieving students who will participate in an eight-week international internship program in Dublin, Ireland.

The Douglass-O'Connell Global Internship in Ireland is a collaboration between Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs, the African American Irish Diaspora Network (AAIDN) and the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE). The program honors Douglass and O'Connell-two leaders who worked their entire lives in Ireland, the United States, and around the world to advance civil rights, social justice and economic mobility for all.

"Building cultural competency and understanding is a critical component of the learning experience in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Our multidisciplinary curriculum exposes students to diverse perspectives and engages their critical thinking, so they may succeed in a global society," says Adele Lindenmeyr, PhD, William and Julia Moulden Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. "This internship is an excellent opportunity for Rita to apply her academic knowledge to a real-world setting, and we, in the College, are excited for her to benefit from this enriching experience."

Sogoti was chosen for this prestigious internship in recognition of her academic excellence, entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to fostering positive change. Her strong desire to gain real-world experience in Ireland, coupled with her deep appreciation for Irish history and culture, highlights her admiration for the social justice legacy of Douglass and O'Connell.

"Like Douglass, I have experienced how education and the help of others can transform lives," Sogoti said in her application. "Through this global internship opportunity, I hope to gain new perspectives and skills to help my goal of becoming an immigration lawyer."

As part of the program, students will intern at an Ireland-based company, attend lectures on Irish history and culture, and participate in extracurricular and networking activities in Dublin, Cork and Belfast. Participants will choose from dozens of internship placement opportunities, such as writing, editing and publishing articles for one of Ireland's leading media companies; analyzing data trends to optimize urban transportation for a cutting-edge tech startup; or advocating for the human rights of those living in chronic poverty. Each student is provided an internship placement, academic lectures, housing, airfare and a living stipend.

For more about CIEE's Frederick Douglass-Daniel O'Connell Global Internship in Ireland, visit ciee.org/fddo.

About CIEE: Since 1947, CIEE has built bridges between different people, different countries, and different cultures through study abroad and international exchange programs that advance peace in our world. We change lives, our alumni change the world. Learn more at ciee.org.

About AAIDN: Since 2020, the African American Irish Diaspora Network has fostered relationships between African Americans, Ireland, and the Irish Diaspora. AAIDN promotes programs in education, the arts, entrepreneurship, and culture that unite African American and Irish communities. AAIDN's mission is supported by both Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs and the government of Northern Ireland. Learn more at aaidnet.org.

About Villanova University: Since 1842, Villanova University's Augustinian Catholic intellectual tradition has been the cornerstone of an academic community in which students learn to think critically, act compassionately and succeed while serving others. There are more than 10,000 undergraduate, graduate and law students in the University's six colleges-the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Villanova School of Business, the College of Engineering, the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, the College of Professional Studies and the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law. Ranked among the nation's top universities, Villanova supports its students' intellectual growth and prepares them to become ethical leaders who create positive change everywhere life takes them. For more, visit www.villanova.edu.