A Partnership to Global Impact

Last year, Mount Vernon shared its vision for three distinct Upper School pathways: Inquiry College Prep, Innovation featuring the Innovation Diploma program, and Impact, which includes the newly launched Global Impact Diploma (GiD). Rising Grade 9 students were invited to explore which pathway best aligned with their passions and interests, setting the stage for a more personalized high school experience.

This year, the pathways officially launched, giving students the opportunity to tailor their learning journey in ways that are meaningful to them.

The Global Impact Diploma is designed for students eager to engage in real-world problem solving, cross-cultural collaboration, and purposeful global engagement. Through immersive experiences and professional networks, learners cultivate adaptability, empathy, and global fluency—skills that redefine what it means to be prepared for college and life.

“The Global Impact Diploma is about equipping students to navigate and shape an interconnected world,” said Talisa Slade, Director of Admissions for Mount Vernon School Online and Global Partnerships. “We’re creating opportunities for learners to step into authentic experiences—where innovation, sustainability, and impact aren’t just talked about, but lived.”

Extending the Vision Globally

To bring this vision to life, Mount Vernon is actively building partnerships with organizations and institutions that share its commitment to authentic, career-connected, and globally immersive learning. One of the first to emerge is with Texas Tech University, Costa Rica (TTU CR).

In May 2025, leaders from Mount Vernon visited TTU CR to explore how its distinctive model could expand opportunities for GiD students—both on campus in Atlanta and online across Latin America. What they discovered was a partner whose mission and methods align seamlessly with Mount Vernon’s own.

Why Texas Tech Costa Rica?

At the heart of TTU CR’s story is a bold public-private partnership. A group of Latin American investors, eager to bring high-quality U.S. education closer to home, spent years searching for the right university. They ultimately partnered with Texas Tech, a Tier 1 research university known for its practical, entrepreneurial spirit.

“We make sure that everything has the culture and feeling of Costa Rica with all the high-quality standards of Texas Tech,” said Dr. Ellen Rose, Executive Director of Texas Tech – Costa Rica. “Our students graduate with a resume most others won’t have—and they go to the beach on the weekend,” she added with a smile.

Like Mount Vernon, TTU CR places a premium on experiential learning. Students not only master academic content but also step directly into professional environments. The campus, located in San José—a hub for multinational companies like Intel, EY, and MasterCard—is home to just under 300 students, 40% of whom are international. With majors in STEM, business, and hospitality, learners often begin interning as early as their second semester.

“We’ve signed MOUs with 184 companies,” Dr. Rose shared. “Ninety percent of our students are employed before graduation.”

A Strong Fit for GiD Students

When asked what stood out most about TTU CR, Ms. Slade pointed to the seamless integration of local context into global academic programming.

“TTU CR’s commitment to experiential learning was immediately evident,” she said. “Their approach combines academic rigor with immersive cultural and professional experiences, making it an ideal partner for forward-thinking initiatives like GiD. Even their campus, with open collaborative spaces and learning stairs, felt like home.”

This alignment means Mount Vernon students can expect opportunities that push learning well beyond the classroom. Internships, research experiences, expert-led bootcamps, and cultural immersion programs are just the beginning. Mentorship from TTU CR faculty and industry leaders will expose students to entrepreneurship, sustainability, and emerging technology sectors—all while deepening their global fluency.

“These kinds of real-world, cross-cultural experiences at the high school level are game-changing,” Slade explained. “They build adaptability, empathy, and confidence. They give students access to global pathways typically reserved for university learners.”

Designing the Future Together

students across campuses and continents. Plans include an international internship pipeline, a career readiness bootcamp, and even introducing Mount Vernon School Online to families in Latin America.

“Our students are asking for more. They don’t want to sit in a classroom and talk about global connection—they want to go connect,” said Kristy Lundstrom, Head of School. “We’re designing experiences that are meaningful to self, and consequential to others.”

Building Global Pathways Together

Through the Global Impact Diploma Pathway, first-year students will embark on an immersive learning experience in Costa Rica, hosted in collaboration with TTU CR. Over the course of two and a half weeks, students will extend their classroom learning across five provinces, engaging directly with local communities, ecosystems, and cultural landmarks.

Grounded in Mount Vernon’s pillars of Inquiry, Innovation, and Impact, students will explore Biology, Art, History, and Biodiversity through hands-on research, creative expression, and experiential discovery. Global Impact Diploma transforms the world into their classroom, cultivating curiosity, global awareness, and purposeful leadership that extends far beyond borders.

At its core, the partnership between Mount Vernon and Texas Tech Costa Rica represents a shared belief: students are never too young to start building their networks and turning connection into opportunity.

By linking Mount Vernon’s Global Impact Diploma with TTU CR’s globally immersive, career-centered approach, both institutions are expanding what’s possible for students—on campus, online, and around the world.