On April 12, 2024, The American College of Thessaloniki (ACT) - Division of Humanities and Social Sciences hosted a one-day conference titled "Navigating Global Opportunities: Exploring Diverse Career Paths in the Social Sciences" at the Bissell Library from 12:00 to 15:00.

Dr. Stamos Karamouzis, ACT Provost

The well-attended conference comprised two panels. The first focused on career paths in diplomacy and the wider public sector. It featured speakers such as Mr. Isaac Hansen-Joseph, Economic Counselor and Consul at the U.S. Consulate General in Thessaloniki, Ms. Jasmina Milačić, Consul General of the Republic of Serbia, Ms. Katerina Tsapikidou, Director of International Relations Service at the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Dr. Thanos Papaioannou, President of the Greek Supreme Council for Civil Personnel Selection (ASEP). A short Q&A session followed this panel. The diplomats discussed the skills necessary for their professional field, while the President of ASEP presented professional opportunities in the Greek public sector. 

Isaac Hansen-Joseph, Ms. Katerina Tsapikidou, Jasmina Milačić, Dr. Thanos Papaioannou

Dr. Thanos Papaioannou

The conference continued with the second panel, which explored the career paths of ACT alumni/ae and opportunities in the private sector. Speakers included Mr. Antonios Platias, Brigadier General (ret.) from the Foreign Affairs Institute, Dr. Maya Davidovic, a Lecturer at Cardiff University, Dr. Sotiris Themistokleous, Director of Institutional Development at the Center for Social Innovation in Cyprus, and Ms. Karina Iskandarova, Founder of Charisma Works. Mr. Platias spoke primarily about think tanks and civil society, while the ACT graduates focused on their paths to professional development.

Karina Iskandarova

Dr. Maya Davidovic, Dr. Sotiris Themistokleous 

Dr. Stamos Karamouzis, ACT Provost, Dr. Maria Kyriakidou, Chair, Division of Humanities and Social Sciences, Karina Iskandarova, Antonios Platias

In April 2024, ACT Associate Professor Christos Aliprantis (Division of Humanities and Social Sciences) provided mentorship services to Greek high school students by conducting 17 online sessions at public high schools, mainly in remote mountainous and island areas. The sessions focused on introducing high schoolers to the current job market, emphasizing soft skills, and outlining career prospects. This mentoring initiative became possible through a partnership of the Onassis Foundation’s Scholars Association (where Aliprantis is a member, having held Onassis graduate scholarships) and The Tipping Point, an NGO that allows professionals to mentor Greek high school pupils.

Elijah Greene, a junior at Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana, embodies the essence of a modern-day explorer. His passion for languages, culture, and global connectivity has propelled him to be awarded the Gilman Scholarship, which is funded by the United States government. Elijah also received a Federal Pell Grant to support his study-abroad experiences in Greece and the ACT.

Studying abroad has been Elijah's dream since high school. He chose Greece for his study abroad experience, as he felt culturally and religiously connected to Greece, and he desired to understand the heritage of Greek people. One of Elijah's big goals was to learn the Greek language, as he has been studying ancient Greek for two and a half years. "My love of language has rekindled since coming here, and I've enjoyed learning as much Greek as I can.", he says. Moreover, Elijah aspires to pursue a Fulbright Critical Language Enhancement award in the future to cultivate language proficiency in a language at risk of disappearing. 

I think Greece held a lot of surprises that I wasn't expecting, especially in terms of the people that I was going to college with.  I don't think I realized how many people from other countries come to ACT to study… I've met people from Greece, Albania, Bulgaria, Russia, Ukraine, and people from the group I am supposed to be part of (USA), making long-lasting friendships that, hopefully, we will carry back across the Atlantic

Elijah's award extends beyond financial assistance; it encompasses opportunities for networking, personal growth, introspection, and global engagement. Funded by the US government, Elijah joined a study tour to Brussels, Belgium, which helped him understand how the European Union operates and the current relationship between the EU and the US. It also fostered his sense of global community.

"I'm grateful that I was able to come to Greece and have the opportunity to explore and visit some countries that I may not get to visit again for a while. It has been an invaluable time in my life," he says.

Elijah desires to continue immersing himself in different cultures: "I would say that I want to be a lifelong traveler. I want to know how other people live outside of where I'm from. I think that's valuable; it makes you more empathetic and just well-rounded as a person. Understanding different cultures and political ideologies, and seeing how other people live, expands your worldview and gives you more information to work with."

Outside of his academic pursuits, Elijah works as a photo editor and event photographer for Wabash College. His love for cinema, literature, and chess enriches his leisure time. Looking ahead, Elijah plans to intern at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center in Maryland, Washington DC, working on marine biology research. He also envisions a future shaped by his passion for traveling and photojournalism. 

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The West Hall Wellness Room has officially been unveiled to the ACT Community by Anatolia College President Dr. Panos Vlachos and ACT Provost Dr. Stamos Karamouzis.

To mark this momentous occasion the Student Activities Office hosted a Grand Opening which took place on Thursday, April 18th. Students and staff alike were finally able to take a glimpse at the manifestation of what once started as an idea being turned into a reality to be enjoyed by all those who share an identity of being a Sparrowhawk.

Located in the basement of West Hall, this room was built and furnished to allow for the overall physical wellness of every member of the ACT to be a priority.

 The Wellness Room is open and accessible during the West Hall operation hours, so feel free to stop by and indulge in what the Wellness Room has to offer.

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