Elizabeth Q. Gray, B.A.’08

Elizabeth Q. Gray, B.A.’08

Age: 29 / Major: philosophy, Honors College / Former employer: University at Albany

Titles: assistant director, Global Institute for Health and Human Rights, and program assistant, International Academic Program (left in May to “explore opportunities in New York; Philadelphia; and Washington, D.C. I look forward to moving to a new city at the end of the summer.”) 

Founder, director and project coordinator, The Wishi Project. Gray raised funds to establish a school in rural Ecuador for children of the indigenous Wishi community. “The kids are advancing steadily, and we have partnered with several organizations to support ongoing initiatives, including further additions to the school building; the development of traditional-dance and soccer programs; and the introduction of storytelling, acting and writing workshops.” 

Co-founder and president, Board of Trustees, Castle Island Bilingual Montessori, “a not-for-profit school in the urban core of Albany.” The school, which serves Capital Region youngsters ages 3 to 6, “strives to meet the needs of its students through an accessible and innovative early-education model designed to foster a love of learning, independence, innovation, and academic excellence in children from diverse backgrounds and learning needs.”

Gray’s UAlbany experience provided her “the confidence and skills to undertake larger projects after graduation. I had the opportunity to take on initiatives I felt were important and to realize them in a supportive environment."