GML Scholars Past and Present

Current Scholars

The Garland School of Social Work currently is home to six Global Mission Leadership scholars from countries all over the world. The rich heritage and culture they bring to our Baylor Community is immeasurable. Meet them below.

2025: Moyosore Adebanjo

Moyosore Adebanjo, 2025 GML Scholar from Nigeria, is a passionate advocate for healthcare accessibility. Since graduating from Redeemer’s University in Akoda, Moyosore has worked as a project technician with the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), supporting fieldwork and data collection on endemic diseases and public health challenges faced by communities in Nigeria. Through this work, Moyosore has seen how preventable diseases like schistosomiasis and malaria disproportionately affect children, often due to limited access to basic health education and resources. As a result, Moyosore is committed to deepening his understanding of interventions that target preventable diseases among children, with a broader goal of shaping policies that make quality healthcare and education more accessible in underserved communities. In addition, in his volunteer role with Shades of Us, a non-profit organization utilizing storytelling to address the socio-economic needs affecting Nigeria and the larger continent of Africa, Moyosore has led initiatives to promote quality education and gender equality. He comes to the Garland School specifically aspiring to, “bridge the gap between research and policy, ensuring that evidence-based solutions translate into meaningful societal impacts,” and hopes to work across both governmental and non-profit sectors to advocate for community health and education initiatives that uplift the most vulnerable communities in Nigeria.

2025: Ejiro Akpotabor

Ejiro Akpotabor, 2025 GML Scholar from Nigeria, is a passionate advocate for community development with a strong commitment to implementing community programs that address social injustices and disparities within marginalized communities across Nigeria. A graduate of Delta State University in Abraka, Ejiro has worked for the past five years as a researcher with Do Take Action, a non-profit organization dedicated to sustainable economic development, global health, and quality education. In this role, she has helped lead public health initiatives that educate and empower young women and children on the importance of medical screenings for HIV, cancer, and diabetes. Ejiro is currently interested in mental health research as well as social policy initiatives that support the empowerment of women and children affected by war, abuse, and violence. She is also interested in programs and initiatives that empower incarcerated youth. Ejiro believes Nigeria’s greatest strength lies in its cultural diversity, resilience, and unique ability to express identity through art, music, food, and dance, and she dreams of returning to Nigeria to become the director of her own non-profit, hoping to facilitate partnerships between governmental and community-based organizations to build more effective support systems for Nigerian youth.

2025: Olaitan Olowe

Olaitan Olowe, 2025 GML Scholar from Nigeria and graduate of the University of Ilorin, is deeply committed to advocating for systemic change and implementing solutions to address the root causes of poverty and social exclusion. After earning her bachelor’s in Economics, Olaitan became the social coordinator for All Christian Evangelistic Ministry, an organization dedicated to supporting rural Nigerians who lack access to clean water, education, and electricity. In her role, Olaitan led community service initiatives focused on supporting children in underserved rural communities, organized after school tutoring programs, and conducted workshops on trauma and violence. Having witnessed firsthand the impact of poverty on children and young adults, Olaitan is interested in scalable solutions that address the root causes of poverty and educational disparities among children and adolescents. She is also interested in exploring the ways technology and the use of AI can be utilized to address social challenges. Olaitan sees Nigeria’s greatest strength, “in the resiliency of its people and the way Nigerians are able to adapt and thrive in adversity,” and hopes to leverage those strengths to influence and advocate for policies in Nigeria that promote equity and justice. She sees herself working collaboratively with policymakers, community leaders, and advocacy groups to ensure that children receive the resources and support they need to flourish. Guided by faith, Olaitan is determined to leave a lasting impact in the field of social work, uplifting lives through education, advocacy, and direct service.

2025: Joseph Twumasi-Ankrah

Joseph Twumasi-Ankrah, 2025 GML Scholar from Ghana, has a deep passion for serving and empowering Ghanian children and youth. Since graduating from the University of Cape Coast he has worked as a teacher and administrator in a variety of educational settings, developing and implementing a peer-assisted learning program to foster student empowerment and inclusion through interactive storytelling, acting, and art. Joseph also volunteers as a Peer Educator at his current school, counseling students on wellness and organizing health promotion programs for the school community. Joseph envisions himself as an advocate for student wellbeing, supporting both their academic and personal development and hopes to explore opportunities to engage in research and advocacy work focused on improving social welfare policies. His passion to serve others also led him to Global Brigades Ghana, a nonprofit organization focused on public health education and initiatives that combat illness and disease in his region. Joseph describes Ghana as “a vibrant West African nation known for its rich cultural heritage, warm hospitality, and commitment to peace,” attributes Joseph clearly embodies. He looks forward to his graduate journey and for the opportunity to use his education and faith-driven passion to influence social welfare policies, strengthen communities, and promote justice both in Ghana and around the world.

2024: Tomas Chapman

Tomas Chapman, 2024 GML Scholar, lives in Mexico City, Mexico and is the son of Australian missionaries. Tomas graduated from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) specializing in Translation for International Relations, with a passion to use his linguistic skills to bring people together. Since graduating, he has worked in student ministry with Compañerismo Estudiantil in Mexico, supported the persecuted church with Voice of the Martyrs Mexico, and spent a semester supporting women in trafficking and prostitution with El Pozo de Vida. His learning interests include community transformation, cross cultural and intercultural communication, and working against social injustices. He describes his beloved Mexico as an incredibly diverse country where daily life differs drastically from big cities to small towns and from one culture and ethnicity to another, making it a difficult place to define simply. He particularly values the Mexican people’s, “sense of hospitality, solidarity, tight-knit community, and willingness to come together for a common cause.”

2024: Laury Hidalgo

Laury Hidalgo, 2024 GML Scholar, is from the Dominican Republic. Though Laury has a background in education, she has always had a passion for community development. In her 7 years with Re-Vision, she had opportunities to plan health clinics, job and leadership trainings, and vocational fairs. She also volunteered with Compassion International Missions Medical Outreach and Love Serves International, gaining valuable insights into how generational poverty affects the vulnerable in the Dominican Republic. She is interested in establishing systems where local churches can serve as catalysts for change, in touch with their community’s needs while ensuring continued dignity. Laury is deeply committed to continuous learning and growth, eager to contribute meaningfully to better the lives of vulnerable people trapped in generational poverty. Laury describes the Dominican Republic as a tiny, diverse island with deserts, sandy beaches, beautiful mountains, cold rivers, and vibrant cities. “Nevertheless, our best asset is our people,” she says, coming in all shapes, colors, and sizes, each full of joy and humor. “When Merengue plays, Dominicans can’t sit still!” Laury is excited to embark on new challenges and is committed to serving her people with, “everything God has put in my hands.”

Meet some of our GML Alumni serving all over the world

Brooke Abuya, MSW ‘14 • Nairobi, Kenya

Passionate about the needs of vulnerable individuals, Brooke works as a caseworker at the Church World Service, Africa conducting refugee prescreens throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. As he works, he envisions an app bringing together communities across Kenya to support children in crisis.

Read about Brooke's experience in child welfare and his hope to bring Kenyan communities together using a smart phone application

Dhiana “Dyen” Anggraeni, MSW ‘17 • Papua, Indonesia

Dyen is a highly accomplished and experienced child rights practitioner and advocate working as a Child Protection Officer for UNICEF Indonesia, specifically in communities in Papua, a rural and secluded island of Indonesia. Currently, Dyen sees a gap in support between formal government institutions, faith-based services, and more informal grassroots organizations. She dreams of a more integrated network of support for vulnerable children connecting all social services across the many islands.

Shade Atanda, MSW '21 • Sokoto, Nigeria

Shade Atanda is a missionary, lawyer and Social Worker, currently working in community development projects with Zion World Prayer, Zether Al-Umm Foundation, and Global Hope Network International. She is applying a Transformational Community Development Approach where she identifies and coaches community leaders, develops project champions, and helps vision cast with key stakeholders. 

Mukupa and Chad Harrod, MSW '15 • Ndola, Zambia

Mukupa Musonda Harrod (GML Scholarship Recipient) and her husband, Chad, met during their MSW studies in the Diana R. Garland School of Social work. After relocating to Zambia and starting work at a Christian University, the began to notice a chronic population of “street boys” on their commute. After meeting the boys willing to talk and finding out more about the persistent challenged facing these young men, Mukupa and Chad are currently exploring how to bring relief to this aching population.

Belinda Onyango, MSW ‘19 • Nairobi, Kenya

Belinda is currently the Program Manager for adoptions at Buckner International and is passionate about a “Prepare to Care” training curriculum for families going through the adoption process. In her role, she has finalized 42 adoptions with Kenyan families in 2020 and co-authored a user-friendly booklet for Kenyan families interested in adopting.

Rose Wasike, MSW '15 • Kitale, Kenya

Rose Wasike worked with vulnerable children and families for over 10 years before traveling to the United States to earn her MSW at Baylor University. Upon graduating and returning to Kitale, Rose was able to apply the Family Hope Center Model in many Kenyan communities, a model she developed. Currently, the model is implemented across five family centers working in foster, kinship and residential programs.

To read about more GML Alumni visit our Map of GML Alumni around the World.