UWCEA/ISM Alumni Bulletin – Issue 2

Dear UWC East Africa/ISM Alumni,

Welcome back to our Alumni Bulletin!

This section of the bulletin is dedicated to you, our newest alumni Class of 2025!.

As you take your next steps, remember you’re now part of a global community rooting for you every step of the way.

To our alumni around the world, we invite you to welcome the Class of 2025 with open arms. May this be the first of many updates, connections, and memories to come. Wherever life takes you, you’ll always have a home with us.

With warmest wishes,

Ingrid Madrigal

Head of Advancement

Congratulations to the Class of 2025!

On May 22nd and 23rd, we gathered on both our Moshi and Arusha campuses to celebrate the graduation of the UWC East Africa Class of 2025. Though we were in two locations, the pride, joy, and sense of accomplishment were shared deeply across our entire community.

It was a beautiful and heartfelt celebration, one that brought together parents, staff, students, and alumni to honour the journey and achievements of our graduating class. The events featured moving speeches, moments of reflection, and individual recognition for each of our 154 new alumni, highlighting the unique stories and impact of this incredible cohort.

We are especially grateful to the dedicated parents and community members who served on the graduation committees—your support and care helped make the events truly memorable.

Experience the joy again—whether you joined us in person or couldn’t make it—by watching the graduation highlights from Moshi and Arusha campuses on our social media and the full recording on our YouTube Channel.

Alumni Spotlight: Ruth Nkya (Class of 2002)

Can you share your journey, achievements and the passions that drive you?

After graduating from ISM, I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science  and Minor in Business Information Systems from St. Cloud State University in Minnesota.  This foundational education opened the door for me to work in the field for about four years, gaining invaluable experience.

I then decided to further my education and pursued a Master’s Degree in Information Systems as well as a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from Northeastern University in Massachusetts. The combination of these degrees helped me to develop a strong understanding of both technical and business aspects of the industry. 

Following my graduation, I explored  various roles that enriched my professional experience. I worked as an IT Business Analyst and Data Management Specialist  for a Financial Company  in Southern California. These roles helped me to hone my skills and gain deeper insights into the financial sector. 

Presently, I hold an Advisory position as a Manager at KPMG, where I specialize in providing advisory services on Oracle Cloud Financial implementation. This role has allowed me to leverage my expertise and contribute to significant projects, helping clients achieve their financial goals through-cutting edge technology.

What do you cherish the most about your ISM/UWCEA experience?

The diversity at ISM/UWC has been instrumental in preparing me for the real world. It provided me with the opportunity to connect with and build lasting friendships with individuals from various cultural backgrounds, which has significantly contributed to my ability to adapt quickly to the diverse work environment I am in today. 

I will always cherish the experiences and opportunities ISM offered, such as OPT and CAS activities, which have had a lasting impact on my personal and professional development.

Recap on the Building of the Legacy events in Dar, Moshi and Arusha

From Dar es Salaam to Moshi and Arusha, our Building on the Legacy events were filled with the same spirit of warmth, reconnection, and joy. It was truly heartwarming to spend time with our dear alumni in Tanzania. Listening to your stories, reliving your memories, and witnessing the deep affection you continue to hold for your time at the school was inspiring for us to continue this great work.

Hearing you speak so fondly about your school experience reminded us of the powerful and lasting impact this community has had. It’s clear that, for many of you, this school wasn’t just an institution; it was a home.

In Dar es Salaam, excitement filled the air as ISMers reunited, reminisced about their school days, and caught up on the school’s growth and direction. There was a palpable sense of pride as alumni heard how this school continues to provide a top-quality education while preserving the sense of belonging that defined their own student years. One of the highlights was seeing current UWC EA students connect instantly with alumni – proof that the school’s spirit truly transcends generations.

In Moshi, we were welcomed by a vibrant group of alumni, many now parents, who still call Moshi home. The event felt more like a joyful reunion of old friends, with parents and alumni gathering to share an evening of connection and conversation. The ease and comfort of the gathering reflected the deep roots our community has in Moshi.

In Arusha, we shared a meaningful evening with parents and teachers from across different generations. It was a beautiful reminder that our UWC community runs deep, as many parents continue to stay involved long after their children have graduated. Between stories and laughter, we celebrated the enduring bonds that unite us.

We are deeply grateful to all of you who came out to support this initiative. Thank you for the time, the stories, and the spirit of reconnection you brought to each event. A special thanks to those of you who have pledged support to our initiatives and committed to contributing to our Endowment Fund. With your continued involvement, we will ensure that future generations benefit from the same transformative education that shaped your lives.

UWC East Africa Endowment Fund 

We are thrilled to share that we are making strong progress in our effort to raise $2 million by December 2025 to establish a sustainable scholarship endowment fund. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, we have already secured over $1.35 million, and more than 300 individuals have donated or pledged their support.

This collective commitment is powerful. It shows how deeply our community believes in our educational model and the life-changing opportunities we are working to provide for talented young people. These are students who would not otherwise have access to this level of education, but who have the potential to thrive, lead, and give back — not only to their families, but to their communities and countries.

While our scholarships are intended for East African students, we are especially proud that our first recipients will be Tanzanian, as part of our commitment to our host community and our vision for local impact.

We also want to demystify the concept of an endowment fund. This is not a high-risk investment vehicle. The money raised is secure, well-managed, and designed to grow steadily over time, ensuring that generations of students will benefit for years to come.

We continue pushing forward with urgency because this is a time-sensitive opportunity. If we reach our $2 million goal by December 2025, a generous donor will match our efforts with an additional $1 million and we cannot let this opportunity pass by.

If you want to learn more, get involved, or make a donation, please book a meeting with us. For additional details, visit our Endowment Fund page on the website.

To make a direct donation, you can visit the donation website and note in the comment box that you would like your gift to go to UWC East Africa.

There is great power in the community, and we are deeply grateful to be surrounded by such an incredible one. Thank you for walking this journey with us.

Outdoor Pursuits: Students Support Coral Restoration in Tanga

OP at UWCEA has evolved into something much richer than its early days of climbing Kilimanjaro or hiking through the Pare Mountains. While those adventures still remain core milestones, OP now embraces a broader vision, one that blends challenge, conservation, and leadership.

A great example of this growth is the Reefs Challenge, part of the Coral Reefs Regeneration Programme. Through this initiative, students travel to Fish Eagle Point in Tanga for a marine conservation experience that’s as immersive as it is impactful. They help restore coral reefs by cleaning underwater nurseries and reattaching healthy coral fragments, contributing directly to regeneration efforts.

The programme is built around three core areas:

• Developing swimming, snorkeling, and diving skills

• Contributing to coral regeneration

• Practicing coral monitoring through data collection and maintenance

But the experience doesn’t stop there. Students rotate through activities like biodiversity monitoring, mangrove snorkeling, beach clean-ups, kayaking, and paddle boarding. They even help develop a fish identification booklet for the school. Older students in the Challenge-level trip also take on mentorship roles, guiding younger peers in the Discovery programme, fostering leadership, collaboration, and a deeper sense of environmental responsibility.

This is OP today: still adventurous, but now with even greater purpose.

Register in Our Alumni Database – Stay Updated & Share Your Story

We’ve created new spaces for alumni to stay connected, share ideas, and keep up with school news. Whether it’s reconnecting on Facebook, getting quick updates through WhatsApp, or building your professional network on LinkedIn, there’s now an easy way to stay part of the alumni community.

Don’t forget to follow our official pages on Instagram,  Facebook, and LinkedIn for the latest updates, alumni spotlights, and more!

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