Melanie Fitzsimmons’ BA ’04 path after North Park University led her to the Dominican Republic, first as a church volunteer, then to her current role as director of Fundación Futuro Lleno de Esperanza, a faith-based foundation. It comprises a school, partnerships with churches in rural communities, and an evangelical seminary for Haitian-Creole-speaking pastors and lay leaders.

“North Park’s intercultural focus, including my mission trips to Guatemala and Mexico, helped me discover the importance of the work I do today,” said Fitzsimmons. She believes her college experiences laid the foundation for her ability to tailor services to the community’s unique needs.

In 2011, Fitzsimmons and partners Hyun Jae Shin and Ji Hye Kang established the foundation’s first project, a school for pre-kindergarten-aged children. In addition to providing early childhood education, the school serves as a community center, hosting extracurricular art, English, and dance classes; collaborating with local volunteer organizations for weekend activities; and running a program for teenage girls called Chicas Poderosas.

North Park faculty also influenced Fitzsimmons’ path of service. She remembers University Dean Liza Ann Acosta mentoring her as a student and later as a fellow educator. “Dr. Acosta left an indelible mark on my journey as an educator. Her workshops on teacher training in the Dominican Republic not only educate but inspire,” she said.

My critical thinking skills, honed at North Park, allow me to navigate complex conversations with students, parents, and fellow educators and contribute to transformation in education.

Education in the Dominican Republic has faced significant challenges, consistently ranking below other Latin American countries. Fitzsimmons has helped transform that with changes she initiated in student, parent, and community education—as well as teacher development—turning the tide in 2018.

“My critical thinking skills, honed at North Park, allow me to navigate complex conversations with students, parents, and fellow educators and contribute to transformation in education,” said Fitzsimmons. Her work illustrates the power of education, faith, and community rooted in interculturalism.