Institute for Training and Development

08/11/2026

An inspiring visit to the Organization of American States!

Participants in ITD and Ohio State University’s Student Leader Program—40 incredible young leaders representing 14 countries across Latin America and the Caribbean—recently visited the OAS headquarters in Washington, D.C.

During their visit, the cohort explored the mission, structure, and key initiatives of the OAS, while engaging in meaningful discussions around education, professional development, and expanding opportunities for youth across the Americas.

A huge thank you to the OAS for welcoming these emerging leaders and offering such a valuable space for learning, dialogue, and connection!

Check out original photos and coverage from OAS Development: https://x.com/OAS_Development/status/2085517297217683828



---

¡Una visita inspiradora a la Organización de los Estados Americanos!

Los participantes del programa de líderes universitarios de ITD y Ohio State University—40 jóvenes líderes excepcionales de 14 países de América Latina y el Caribe— visitaron recientemente la sede de la OEA en Washington, D. C.

Durante la visita, el grupo conoció más sobre la misión, la estructura y las principales iniciativas de la OEA, y participó en valiosas conversaciones sobre educación, desarrollo profesional y la ampliación de oportunidades para la juventud en las Américas.

¡Muchísimas gracias a la OEA por recibir a estos líderes emergentes y brindarles un espacio tan valioso para el aprendizaje, el diálogo y la creación de conexiones!

Consulta las fotos originales y la cobertura de la OEA "Development"
https://x.com/OAS_Development/status/2085517297217683828

06/12/2026

Our Founder, Linda Abrams

It is with a heavy heart that the Institute for Training and Development (ITD) shares the news of the passing of our co-founder and former President, Linda Abrams.

When Linda and Dan Moulton co-founded ITD in 1985, they envisioned a trailblazing organization dedicated to international development and experiential education. To keep their mission vibrant and relevant, they thought to strategically engage graduate students from the University of Massachusetts’ Center for International Education as trainers and facilitators. This approach established ITD as a pioneer in immersive, participatory education, empowering participants to drive lasting change in their home communities.

Under her visionary leadership as President from 1985 to 1997, and later through her continued stewardship as a member of the Board of Directors (1997 to 2004), ITD grew into an organization capable of changing lives across the globe.

John Comings, a CIE alum and one of ITD’s original board members who worked alongside Linda during her time at CIE, recalls the profound impact she made from the very beginning:

"As a member of the CIE faculty, she was a breath of fresh air. She had no personal agendas; she just wanted to help students succeed and enjoy learning."

Linda touched countless lives throughout her long, dedicated association with ITD. She was a brilliant educator, a compassionate mentor, and an unyielding pillar of support for our staff, partners, and participants.

The Institute for Training and Development remains deeply dedicated to honoring Linda's legacy. We will continue to keep her passionate vision for a more just, equitable, and connected world alive in everything we do. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with her family, friends, and the global community she so beautifully shaped.

https://itdamherst.org/blog/itd-news/linda-abrams-death

02/19/2026

Community service is at the heart of the ITD experience. This week, we received glowing feedback from a Western Massachusetts organization about the major impact our student leaders made in just one day!

For us, service isn't a fragment—it's a complete cycle of action. By preparing meals in local kitchens, our students move from "observing" to "doing," creating concrete change in the communities they are visiting.

Huge thanks to our incredible partners: Not Bread Alone, Amherst; Lorraine's Soup Kitchen & Pantry, Chicopee

06/20/2025

In Guatemala’s highlands, ITD alumni have been leading the way in building economic alternatives to forced migration. ITD continues to build on the work completed through the Rural Economic Dynamics for Prosperity (DERP) initiative, managed by its long-time Guatemalan partner based in Quetzaltenango, the Agricultural and Microenterprise Development Association (ADAM - Asociación de Desarrollo Agrícola y Microempresarial.). The initiative's goal is to develop and support women’s agricultural cooperatives, helping turn small food initiatives into sustainable enterprises.

We're proud to work alongside Indigenous Maya Mam and Maya K’iche’ communities, which are facing poverty, malnutrition, and the impacts of climate change.

https://itdamherst.org/work/guatemala/

05/09/2025

As ITD turns 40, we’re grateful for the incredible global network of educators and changemakers who have been part of our story. Thanks to those who have already supported our fundraising efforts—your generosity is making a difference. We are meeting regularly to plan the necessary restructuring and adjustments to our programming and operations to ensure ITD's continued success.

Despite the recent cuts, ITD is grateful to be able to carry out much of its regular summer programming. This includes implementation of its 22nd Teachers’ Summer Institute and 16th Student Leaders from the Western Hemisphere program. We are honored to be able to continue our work with emerging leaders who are making a difference by bringing fresh ideas and practical strategies to their home communities.

Additional support from others is critical to sustaining our work. Your contribution helps maintain the ITD house, fund new programs, and ensure future participants’ experience the transformative learning that defines ITD. These programs don’t just change lives while they’re happening—they ripple outward, strengthening communities around the world. Donate today. Share your story (by May 15th). Or partner with us to design a new program that meets emerging global needs.

Donate: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/itdappealspring2024
Share: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GQNRL9S
Partner: [email protected]



Con motivo del 40.º aniversario de ITD, agradecemos la increíble red global de educadores y creadores de cambios que han formado parte de nuestra historia. Gracias a quienes ya han apoyado nuestras iniciativas de recaudación de fondos: su generosidad está marcando la diferencia. Nos reunimos periódicamente para planificar la reestructuración y los ajustes necesarios en nuestra programación y operaciones para garantizar el éxito continuo de ITD.

A pesar de los recientes recortes, ITD agradece poder llevar a cabo gran parte de su programación regular de verano. Esto incluye la implementación de su 22.º Instituto de Verano para Educadores y el 16.º programa de Líderes Universitarios del Hemisferio Occidental. Nos honra poder continuar trabajando con líderes emergentes que están marcando la diferencia al aportar ideas innovadoras y estrategias prácticas a sus comunidades.

El apoyo adicional de otros es fundamental para sostener nuestra labor. Su contribución nos ayuda a mantener la sede de ITD, financiar nuevos programas y garantizar que los futuros participantes experimenten el aprendizaje transformador que define a ITD. Estos programas no solo cambian vidas mientras se llevan a cabo, sino que también tienen un efecto multiplicador, fortaleciendo comunidades de todo el mundo. Dona hoy. Comparte tu historia (antes del 15 de mayo). O colabora con nosotros para diseñar un nuevo programa que satisfaga las necesidades globales emergentes.

Para Donar: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/itdappealspring2024
Para Compartir: https://es.surveymonkey.com/r/C9T5Y5T
Colaborar: [email protected]

02/06/2025

Celebrate 40 Years of Impact with ITD! A Message from our Executive Director:

Dear ITD Alumni,

We're thrilled to announce that the Institute for Training and Development (ITD) is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2025!

For four decades, ITD has inspired leaders worldwide through meaningful exchanges. Your participation and the difference you have made in your own country has been integral to this success story.

To be part of this milestone, we invite you to 1) Watch our special anniversary video and 2) Complete the corresponding short survey: https://itdamherst.org/itd40/form/ If you have already received this survey from an email please use that link to fill it out and not this one; please do not fill out both!

Your participation will help us shape our celebration on November 6, 2025 and over the course of the year and ensure that we stay connected with our vibrant alumni network.

Let's celebrate together!

Please share this invitation with other alumni you know.

Warmly,

The ITD Team

01/19/2025

It has been a week since 40 dynamic student leaders arrived in the U.S. from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay. This marks the 16th consecutive year that ITD has implemented the five-week Study of the U.S. Institute for student leaders from the Western Hemisphere, in partnership with the Center for Latin American Studies at the University of Arizona.

While in the U.S., students actively engage in leadership development, volunteerism, and community building. Additionally, the 20 students based in Amherst, MA, are exploring social entrepreneurship, while the 20 based in Tucson, AZ, are focusing on leadership for Indigenous and Afro-Latina women leaders.

The program is part of the U.S. Department of State’s Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSI) for student leaders, and is sponsored by U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

Ha pasado una semana desde que 40 líderes estudiantiles dinámicos llegaron a los EE. UU. de Argentina, Bolivia, Brasil, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Perú y Uruguay. Esto marca el decimosexto año consecutivo en que ITD implementa el Estudio de los Institutos EE. UU. (SUSI) de cinco semanas para estudiantes líderes del hemisferio occidental, en asociación con el Centro de Estudios Latinoamericanos de la Universidad de Arizona.

Mientras están en los EE. UU., los estudiantes participan activamente en el desarrollo del liderazgo, el voluntariado y el fortalecimiento comunitario. Además, los 20 estudiantes con sede en Amherst, MA, están explorando el emprendedurismo social, mientras que los 20 con sede en Tucson, AZ, se están enfocando en el liderazgo para mujeres líderes indígenas y afrolatinas.

El programa SUSI para líderes universitarios es parte del Departamento de Estado y está patrocinado por la Oficina de Asuntos Educativos y Culturales del Departamento de Estado de los EE. UU.


Exchange Programs - U.S. Department of State
SUSI for Student Leaders from Latin America - Arizona

08/16/2024

🏛️📈🌍 Exciting News! ITD Amherst is thrilled to welcome scholars from around the world for a six-week journey into the Study of U.S. Institute (SUSI) on Economics and Sustainable Development! This year’s SUSI for Scholars is exploring fascinating questions about how financial institutions and consumers drive innovation, as well as the impact of global events like climate change and the pandemic on the American economy. They’ll explore other topics including sustainable and inclusive economies, corporate social responsibility and the impact of legal regulatory systems.

This immersive program implemented by ITD is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs administered by the University of Montana. Get a front-row seat to their discoveries and reflections by following their blogs here:

https://itdamherst.org/blogs/susi/

The Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSIs) are academic programs sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). Since it began in 2008, ITD has hosted thousands of student and academic leaders through the program. SUSIs are five- to six-week academic progr...

08/16/2024

Huge shout-out to our dynamic student leaders from Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras for completing their program Study of the U.S. Institute on civic engagement! They were deeply engaged in leadership development, volunteerism, community building, complemented by classroom seminars led by renowned professors and grassroots activism experts from the Five Colleges of the Pioneer Valley.

Funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the program emphasizes building leadership skills through immersive activities such as a low ropes teambuilding course, as well as a visit to the U.S./Mexican border in Arizona to gain firsthand knowledge about many of the challenges.  As part of their program, student leaders are invited to compete for small grants in order to put their newly acquired knowledge and skills into practice by implementing community action projects in their own countries.

07/19/2024

Our civic engagement student leaders volunteered at Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen & Pantry in Chicopee and Amherst's Not Bread Alone.

The twenty undergraduates are at ITD Amherst focusing on themes like civil rights, grassroots student activism, volunteerism, political leadership, citizen advocacy, and minority political engagement. They hail from Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras.

This is a program of the US Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and administered by the Institute for Training and Development.