ALL ABOUT US

We love showing students the wonders of Belize while also providing educational services. We are delighted to witness students’ awe as they gain firsthand knowledge through fieldwork and community service. CELA Belize pushes students to step outside of their comfort zones. When our students do things they never thought they could or have never tried before, they achieve amazing results. We feel CELA has accomplished something worthwhile when we see a student grow personally with a new perspective on the world.

CELA is about more than just a few of us who founded it. It is about the people who live, work, and teach in Belize and provide services to our students. Student fees help to develop Belize by donating to local organizations, donating to communities for service learning projects, and employing Belizeans.

“This opportunity provided students a chance to learn and experience the distinct cultures of Belize, including Creole, Garifuna, Mayan, and Mestizos. Students learned both in lectures from world-class experts and by visiting important sites and locations.”Iowa Wesleyan University Provost DeWayne Frazier (May 26, 2022)

C.E.L.A. HISTORY

CELA was born in 2010 when a group of friends and co-workers decided Belize had so much to offer students and professionals in unique learning experiences that we formed a company to assist those who wanted to visit, study, and learn about Belize. Since then, we have continued to provide field courses in Belize, facilitate faculty-led groups across a wide array of academic disciplines, provide internships throughout the country, and strengthen our relationships with and support local conservation, culture, and development projects. 

THE PEOPLE AT C.E.L.A.

We are proud to host Belizean and international faculty who will make your learning experience unforgettable.

C.E.L.A. MANAGEMENT & STAFF

Filiberto

Dr. Filiberto Penados
Founding Advisor

Jane Stine, JD, M.Ed.
Managing Director
[email protected]

Addam Stine
Director of Operations
[email protected]

Emeli Noble
Business and Financial Officer

Rhonda Castillo
Logistics & Operations Manager

Deneva Penados
Programming Manager

Roger "Raj" Hyde
Programming Manager

Lisbeth "Aide" Sanchez
Community Health Worker & Logistics Support

Mary Beth Glass
Director of Admissions
[email protected]

Maureen Buckley, JD
Academic Development Director

Jamal with the jaguar inside the cage

Jamal Andrewin-Bohn
SUNY-Cortland Internship Coordinator

Anna

Anna Hoare
Belize City Coordinator

C.E.L.A. FACULTY ASSOCIATES

Dr. Edwardo Tesecum, DVM
Veterinarian

Sarah

Dr. Sarah Reich, DVM
Wildlife Veterinarian

Elisabeth

Elisabeth Gleckler
Public Health

Eva

Dr. Eva Restis, DVM
Wildlife Veterinarian

Sonia

Dr. Sonia Gulati
Global Health

Andrew

Dr. Andrew Hatala
Medical Anthropologist

Vanessa

Vanessa Kilburn
Conservation Biology

Ken

Dr. Kenneth Mattes
Marine Biology

Tmesh

Dr. Timothy Mesh
Cultural Anthropology

Lauren

Dr. Lauren Miller-Griffith
Sociology & Anthropology

Pablo

Pablo Mis
Indigenous Governance

Antoinette

Judge Antoinette Moore
Supreme Court Judge

Colin

Dr. Colin Young
Environmental Science

Wayne

Dr. Wayne Roberts
Anthropology

Jaimie

Dr. Jaimie Awe
Archaeologist

Ashley

Dr. Ashley Runey, DVM
Wildlife Veterinarian

Lori

Dr. Lori Stahlbrand
Anthropology

Cameron

Cameron Griffith
Archaeology

Marissa

Dr. Marisa Tellez
Founder, Crocodile Research Coalition

C.E.L.A. COMMUNITY ASSOCIATES

Joe

Joe Awe
CEO, Nine San Ignacio

Reynold

Reynold Cal
Foundation for Wildlife Conservation

Cristina

Cristina Coc
Toledo Program Coordinator

Rafael

Rafael Guerra
Archaeologist

Sarah

Sarah Mann
Founder, Belize Raptor Center

Rafael

Rafael Manzaero
Friends of Conservation & Development

Ricky

Ricky Manzanero
Bullet Tree Falls

Ted

Ted McKoy
Hopkins Chairman

Ruben

Ruben Tesecum
Veterinary Assistant San Ignacio

Humberto

Humberto Wohlers
The Belize Zoo

Conway

Conway Young
Community Baboon Sanctuary

OUR MISSION

An innovative and socially responsible education institution committed to engaged scholarship and academically challenging and transformative learning experiences in Belize.

OUR VISION

A recognized center of excellence for study abroad, engaged scholarship and experiential learning

OUR CORE VALUES

Sustainability: We are committed to building a better understanding of Belize’s rich cultures and biodiversity whilst ensuring our business activities have a beneficial and sustaining impact.

Respect: We treat everyone with dignity, equality, kindness and trust regardless of ethnicity, lifestyle, gender and beliefs.

Teamwork: We work together through cooperation, dedication, respect and open communication.

Collaboration: We actively pursue and value cooperative relationships in pursuit of our mission and vision.

C.E.L.A. Belize staffThe Center for Engaged Learning Abroad (CELA) seeks to make our unique study abroad and internship opportunities available to a diverse group of students, especially those who have been traditionally underrepresented in international education programs. We strive to ensure that all students feel welcome and that we engage in practices that break down barriers to participation in study abroad.

We value the contributions of each individual and support a diverse community of students, staff, and faculty. We seek to provide every student with equity of access to the full resources of each of our academic travel programs. We provide resources and training for staff and faculty so that they can adequately support and validate student experiences or connect students with the resources that they need to feel supported.

We understand that because of preexisting advantages and barriers, not everyone has the same access to international experiential education. We strive to ensure that each individual, regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, religion, economic status, sexual orientation, ability, or the intersection of these identities, is provided with the same opportunity to participate and thrive in our study abroad and internship programs.

As part of CELA’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion we 

  • Provide transparent, fair, and ethical selection to promote equity and accessibility throughout the application process.
  • Adequately prepare students for the challenges of studying abroad with pre-departure resources and on-site orientation upon arrival.
  • Commit to the use of gender-neutral and bias-free language.
  • Provide resources and trained staff to assist students who have concerns or need assistance. 
  • Periodically train staff on how to make every student feel prepared, supported, and empowered throughout their study abroad experience. 
  • Welcome students to list their pronouns in their paperwork and write in their gender on their application.

We are committed to social responsibility and ensuring that our business activities benefit the culture and biodiversity of our program countries. We partner with local organizations, cultural institutions, and businesses to ensure our program fees support the local community.  We seek the input of local experts and collaboratively work with them to develop programming. By creating programs that are based within the local culture with the input of local experts, tour guides, and staff, we work to ensure that program perspectives are not America-centric. By following a study abroad model instead of a voluntourism model, we strive to create meaningful knowledge exchange across cultures.

We assess each program at its end and identify any challenges that were faced by program participants, faculty, staff, or the local community. If corrective action is required, we adjust our programming, develop additional program resources, create online content, or add staff or student coaching or training. 

OUR PARTNERS

At CELA Belize, we are fortunate to work with great organizations across the country when bringing you the educational experience of a lifetime. These connections enrich each program and support our partner’s efforts as well. Our valued partners include:

Community baboon

Community Baboon Sanctuary

The Community Baboon Sanctuary (CBS) is a pioneering project in grassroots conservation whose goal is to sustain the habitat of the Black Howler Monkey (“baboon” in the local Creole dialect) while promoting economic development in local communities.

PACT logo

Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT)

PACT is a strategic partner in the funding management and sustainable development of Belize’s natural and cultural resources for the benefit of Belizeans and the global community.

Belize Forest Department

Forest Department - Gov of Belize

The Forest Department is a leading modern and committed government agency with a well trained, accountable and professional staff efficiently coordinating resources for the sustainable management of Belize Natural Resources.

Tumul logo

Tumul K'in Center of Learning

Tumul K’in Center of Learning is a registered non-governmental Maya Organization that responds to the challenges of poverty and marginalization in rural Toledo by promoting a sustainable development with identity through intercultural education, training and research fusing modern and Maya values, knowledge and philosophy.

FCD logo

Friends of Conservation and Development

FCD is a respected organization whose role in the national conservation agenda is fully recognized by both the Government and the general public. It continues to build its networking capabilities both locally and internationally, while capitalizing on its strengths as a reputable community-based conservation organization.

Institute of Archaeology

National Institue of Culture and Heritage (NICH)

NICH encourages Belizeans and persons interested in Belize to better understand Belizean’s historical and ethnic roots and instill pride about the country’s unique cultural heritage and shared national identity. The Institute of Archaeology focuses on the Protection, Preservation and Promotion of Belize’s rich cultural heritage.

Belize Bird Rescue

Belize Bird Rescue

Belize Bird Rescue started “rescuing” birds in April 2004 and continues to offer care for sick and injured birds on their private reserve in Cayo District of Belize.

Belize Botanic Gardens

Belize Botanic Gardens

With 45 acres of native plants in their garden and arboretum, the Botanic Gardens sits between the Maya Mountain foothills and the Macal River.

The Belize zoo logo

The Belize Zoo

The Zoo provides a home for a wild animals that were previously orphaned or rehabilitated. It was started in 1983.