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.
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
Jane Stine, JD, M.Ed.
Managing Director
[email protected]
Addam Stine
Director of Operations
[email protected]
Mary Beth Glass
Director of Admissions
[email protected]
Jamal Andrewin-Bohn
SUNY-Cortland Internship Coordinator
Anna Hoare
Belize City Coordinator
C.E.L.A. FACULTY ASSOCIATES
Dr. Edwardo Tesecum, DVM
Veterinarian
Dr. Sarah Reich, DVM
Wildlife Veterinarian
Elisabeth Gleckler
Public Health
Dr. Eva Restis, DVM
Wildlife Veterinarian
Dr. Sonia Gulati
Global Health
Dr. Andrew Hatala
Medical Anthropologist
Vanessa Kilburn
Conservation Biology
Dr. Kenneth Mattes
Marine Biology
Dr. Timothy Mesh
Cultural Anthropology
Dr. Lauren Miller-Griffith
Sociology & Anthropology
Pablo Mis
Indigenous Governance
Judge Antoinette Moore
Supreme Court Judge
Dr. Colin Young
Environmental Science
Dr. Wayne Roberts
Anthropology
Dr. Jaimie Awe
Archaeologist
Dr. Ashley Runey, DVM
Wildlife Veterinarian
Dr. Lori Stahlbrand
Anthropology
Cameron Griffith
Archaeology
Dr. Marisa Tellez
Founder, Crocodile Research Coalition
C.E.L.A. COMMUNITY ASSOCIATES
Joe Awe
CEO, Nine
San Ignacio
Reynold Cal
Foundation for Wildlife Conservation
Cristina Coc
Toledo Program Coordinator
Rafael Guerra
Archaeologist
Sarah Mann
Founder, Belize Raptor Center
Rafael Manzaero
Friends of Conservation & Development
Ricky Manzanero
Bullet Tree Falls
Ted McKoy
Hopkins Chairman
Ruben Tesecum
Veterinary Assistant
San Ignacio
Humberto Wohlers
The Belize Zoo
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.
The 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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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
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
The Zoo provides a home for a wild animals that were previously orphaned or rehabilitated. It was started in 1983.