IIE NextGen Service Fellowship connects student design to global impact

Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, wakes early, its streets alive with vendors’ calls, the rumble of blue-and-white minibuses, and the scent of strong coffee drifting from corner cafés. Amid the bustle, Kauner Shacklette, a senior architecture student in the University of Kentucky College of Design, walks toward the city’s YMCA. As an inaugural recipient of the Institute of International Education’s (IIE) NextGen Service Fellowship, he has been tasked with putting his design knowledge into action by reimagining spaces that could help this community hub better serve its people. 

It is no accident that Shacklette was assigned to this project; in fact, it was the result of a complex application and pairing process that began months before. Backed by The Rockefeller Foundation and the Outrider Foundation, IIE launched the NextGen Service Fellowship earlier this year to prepare emerging public service leaders with hands-on experience in international development. The NextGen Service Fellowship covers all travel, living, and placement costs for students working with nonprofit and community-based organizations across Africa, Southeast Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. 

As a Gaines Fellow, Shacklette said he has Associate Director of the Gaines Center for Humanities, Chelsea Brislin, to thank for introducing him to the program and serving as his recommender during the application process. Shacklette went on to be one of 52 undergraduate and graduate students from across the country, and one of the 9 UK students, chosen for this inaugural cohort. Once accepted, Shacklette began the pairing process, first being paired with a country, then with an organization within that host country. 

“Ethiopia was at the top of my list,” Shacklette said. “[IIE’s partnering YMCA] looked through all the applications with areas of improvement in mind, and when they saw my application, they said they needed a design-minded individual to help them develop plans for a new gym and community center.” 

Upon arriving in Addis Ababa, Shacklette knew this pairing was the right fit. His day-to-day was a mixture of working with the YMCA team and local architects on the proposed space, helping with the YMCA’s daily activities, visiting other local nonprofits, and exploring the city with his tour guide and other service fellows. 

“There were a couple of days where we actually got to teach English to local students, filling in for their tutor when he was absent,” Shacklette said. “I loved it. I think I discovered a new passion.” 

Despite finding new interests, Shacklette was eager to continue his original YMCA design project. After discussions with local architects and YMCA stakeholders, he drafted several ideas for improvements to the site, including plans for a soccer field, snack stand, gym and renovated classrooms. The soccer field was a key component of Shacklette’s plan and a unique and unexpected one at that.  

“Soccer is a huge deal in Ethiopia, and it is ingrained in Ethiopian culture,” Shacklette said. “Seeing how much the locals were using the current field, I knew I wanted to focus on how we could turn this deeply loved space into something more accommodating.” 

To accomplish this, Shacklette proposed eliminating existing tin fencing and opening up the athletic space to the public so that people passing by could spectate. He also proposed adding upgraded seating, shaded gathering areas, and improved field surfacing to create a more welcoming and functional community hub. 

“This project was a good opportunity to practice community-rooted design; it allowed me to practice a lesson we’re so often taught in studio: listen to those you’re designing for,” Shacklette said.  

For example, Shacklette learned that the kids who are usually playing on the field would head straight there after school until returning home for dinner. This sparked the idea of a snack stand for the children to grab a quick bite during the long stretch of time between school and dinner.  

“As architects, people are going to be using the spaces we design every day, and it is our job to make sure we prioritize their input, needs and requests to make the space work for —and with—them,” Shacklette said. 

Shacklette wrapped up his fellowship by presenting his design suggestions to the YMCA officials, who are now tasked with choosing which ideas to implement. As required by the fellowship, Shacklette will also be writing a narrative report based on his experience for IIE to share with future fellows, which he hopes will also be design students.  

“If they just see the fellowship name in passing, I’m not sure design students would think to apply,” he said. “I’ve loved this experience. I would encourage anyone who’s eligible to apply, especially design students. It opened my eyes to so many different perspectives that I’ll carry with me in my career. Don’t be afraid to jump at an opportunity, because you may walk away with life-changing lessons.” 

Visit https://www.iie.org/programs/nextgen-service-fellowship/ to learn more about the IIE NextGen Service Fellowship. See the full list of UK students named to the inaugural class of the IIE NextGen Service Fellowship here.