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Explore DC Coordinators

Explore DC Service Coordinators work as a team throughout the summer to design, plan and implement Explore DC, a multi-day experience for incoming first-year and transfer students. They identify and negotiate service placements (schools and nonprofit groups), design the opening session and evening programs, place incoming students in various nonprofit locations and neighborhoods throughout the DC metropolitan area, prepare leaders to work with their groups and sites, and oversee the actual program.

The three coordinators each have their own role in putting together the Explore DC program. These roles are:

  • Publicity and Media
  • Community Partners - Immersive Sites
  • Community Partners - Service Sites
  • Logistics and Organization

Check out the profiles of our 2021 Explore DC Coordinator team!

Giancarlo Castro, SIS/ BA '23

I’m Giancarlo (he/him/his/el), from Scotch Plains, New Jersey, and a Junior at the School of International Service with a minor in French. I’m passionate about education equity and justice along with immigrant rights, two areas of social justice that I’ve dedicated a lot of work to in the past. Aside from school, work and activism, I spend a lot of my time listening to music, reading, and cooking new foods!  I also love exploring this city and finding new hidden gems I didn’t know about before, sense there is so much to explore.

Zoe David-Lang, CAS/BA '23

I'm Zoe (she/her/hers), I'm from Brooklyn, New York. I am a rising junior double majoring in History through the College or Arts and Sciences and Justice and Law with a concentration in Criminal Justice through the School of Public Affairs. I am passionate about criminal justice reform and racial justice issues. In my free time I love spending time with my friends, watching lots of TV and trying new places to eat. I did Explore DC as an incoming freshman and am really excited to help plan Explore DC this year!

Karla Santillan

Karla Santillan, SIS/BS '22

I’m Karla (she/her/hers), and I am a rising senior at the School of International Service. I grew up in Reading, Pennsylvania, but was raised by Ecuadorian immigrants. I am extremely passionate about immigration and migrants rights—specifically facilitating pathways to naturalization. In my free time,  I volunteer with local non-profits that focus on naturalization services, as well as conduct independent projects about the naturalization process. Outside of immigration advocacy,  I love to explore new food places, water my plants, and see local bands in the D.C. area. 

Interested in being an Explore DC Leader?

This is a great opportunity for leaders who want to bring the world to AU and AU to the world! Explore DC Leaders are returning participants ready to take a step forward in working with and learning about their DC community. They use passion, skills, and knowledge learned from their time in the program to lead a group of incoming students. An Explore DC Leader has a strong interest in DC, social justice issues, and nonprofit organizations. Leaders are comfortable being in charge of a group. They are usually the first role models incoming students encounter; thus, our Explore DC Leaders are positive and enthusiastic about American University as a whole, excited to venture into DC for service, exploration, and dedicated to orienting a new group of AU students to life at American. Learn more about how to become a leader in May of 2022.