How a decade-old partnership pairs Taft students with Waterbury Public Schools
Quick Answer for Busy Parents
The Global Leadership and Service Collaborative (formerly the Center for Global Leadership) is a competitive leadership program jointly run by Taft and Waterbury Public Schools, accepting 24 new Global Leadership Institute (GLI) Scholars each year, 12 from Taft and 12 from Waterbury public schools. Scholars enter the program in the winter of sophomore year and complete it in the spring of junior year, meeting with community and global leaders, touring the United Nations, engaging in service work, and completing an in-depth research project with a partner from the other school.
How Taft and Waterbury Built a Real Partnership
The program traces back to a conversation between then-Head of School Willy MacMullen ’78 and Dean of Global and Diversity Education Jamella Lee, prompted by an opportunity through the Edward E. Ford Foundation, which was specifically interested in public-private partnerships involving private schools with a public purpose. Rather than a one-way outreach initiative, Taft built the program as a genuine two-way collaboration, bringing together stakeholders including Waterbury’s then-mayor, the city’s chief academic officer, and Taft service leaders and mentors to design a program that would benefit students at both institutions equally.
Why Structure It as a True Partnership?
Building the program around equal representation, 12 Taft students and 12 Waterbury students each year, rather than a one-directional service or mentorship model, reflects the program’s explicit goal of breaking down barriers and bridging divides between two communities that don’t otherwise interact much despite being neighbors.
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What GLI Scholars Actually Do
Over roughly a year and a half, from winter of sophomore year through spring of junior year, GLI Scholars meet with and hear from community and global leaders, visit environmental clean-up sites, and tour the United Nations. Alongside this exposure, scholars engage directly in service work and, paired with a partner from the other school, conduct in-depth research on a global or “glocal” issue, culminating in a project and community presentation.
| Element | Detail |
| Cohort Size | 24 scholars annually: 12 from Taft, 12 from Waterbury Public Schools |
| Timeline | Winter of sophomore year through spring of junior year |
| Activities | Meetings with leaders, UN tour, environmental site visits, service work |
| Capstone | Paired research project on a global/“glocal” issue, with community presentation |
A Program That’s Grown Over a Decade
The Global Leadership and Service Collaborative recently marked its 10th anniversary, a milestone that reflects real institutional continuity rather than a short-lived initiative. Leadership has transitioned over the years, with founding director Jamella Lee eventually handing the program to Baba Frew, who has continued expanding its reach and impact. The renaming itself, from the Center for Global Leadership to the Global Leadership and Service Collaborative, was a deliberate choice to better reflect the genuine partnership and collaboration between Taft and Waterbury at the program’s core.
A Program With Real Alumni
Notable GLI alumni include Mihir Nayar ’19, a member of the program’s third cohort, illustrating that the collaborative has now produced multiple graduating classes of scholars from both Taft and Waterbury.
Is This Program a Good Fit for Your Child?
The Global Leadership and Service Collaborative is a competitive, decade-plus partnership between The Taft School and Waterbury Public Schools that brings together students for reciprocal learning and service.
Because the program begins in the winter of sophomore year, families should proactively confirm current application timelines. Cardinal Education helps families navigate competitive programs like this, evaluating whether a school’s specific leadership and service opportunities align with your child’s goals.
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