Sunni Ryan ’17 Leads Refugee Youth Education Nonprofit
Sunni Ryan, originally from Raleigh, graduated in 2017 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Global Studies and French and a minor in Communication. Today, Sunni is the Executive Director of Refugee Youth Solidarity through Education (RYSE). Read below to learn more about Sunni’s experience with Watauga Global Community and her current role with RYSE.
Tell me about your current role.
I am the Executive Director of Refugee Youth Solidarity through Education (RYSE), a Providence-based nonprofit that fosters literacy, confidence, and community among refugee youth in the form of a free, five-week summer camp. I am responsible for staff management and organizational operations, but also the strategic developments for RYSE’s long-term growth and evolution. It is an absolute privilege; this job is pure joy.
How did your experiences in Watauga shape your professional life?
Watauga cultivated a practice of creative thinking and a depth to relationship-building that has undoubtedly shaped my professional approach. I heavily value the community that surrounds my work – their needs, their ideas, their growth. This perspective has made the product of my work more sustainable and impactful. Watauga also made me brave. Its unconventional nature empowered me to reimagine what my career could look like and encouraged me to forge my own path.
What advice would you give to an incoming Wataugan?
Lean in. Watauga is an opportunity to expand the way that you think, learn, and relate to others. You will get what you give, so show up. Give yourself generously.