What if one scholarship stopped could change the future of a multilingual student - and their entire community ?
As Ad Astra celebrates its anniversary, we're shining a spotlight on what matters most: Education.
In this special episode of Connected Conversations, host Elena Petrova speaks with Joe Callahan, Executive Director of the Education Foundation of Anne Arundel County Public Schools, about a powerful new initiative supporting students from multilingual households.
Starting in Spring 2026, the Foundation will award up to two $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors who grew up in homes where a language other than English—spoken or signed—was used. Whether heading to college, trade school, or the military, these students deserve equitable access to post-secondary opportunities.
🟢 Key Themes:
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The vision and mission behind the new scholarship fund.
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Barriers that multilingual students face in their education journeys.
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Why investing in language diversity strengthens our communities.
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How YOU can support this initiative today.
About the Education Foundation of Anne Arundel County:
Founded in 1997, the Education Foundation of Anne Arundel County (formerly known as the 21st Century Education Foundation) is a 501(c)(3) organization created to support the students and teachers of the Anne Arundel County Public School System (AACPS). We are dedicated to helping prepare leaders to shape the future of a rapidly changing world. Working together with business and community leaders, the Foundation promotes collaborative efforts to match the needs of Anne Arundel County Public Schools and the resources of the surrounding businesses, industries, and communities.
About Joe Callahan:
In early June, the Education Foundation of Anne Arundel County Public Schools welcomed Joe Callahan as our new Executive Director. A seasoned non-profit professional, Joe has nearly 20 years of experience in marketing, fundraising, nonprofit management, and youth development.
From 2016 – 2024, Joe worked first as the Senior Director of Development and Communications and later as the Chief of Staff, at the award-winning E.L. Haynes Public Charter School in Washington, DC. While at E.L. Haynes, Joe designed and executed a comprehensive fundraising and communications plan that led to a significant increase in philanthropic support for the school. In 2019, Joe led a re-branding effort, that included a new logo, branding collateral, launching a new website, and releasing a music video, Bring Yourself to Haynes.
Prior to E.L. Haynes, Joe served as the founding Executive Director of 826DC from 2010-2016, where he significantly expanded the organization to serve more than 5,000 DC public and charter school students per year, increased their annual budget more than 800%, and won the 2014 DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities’ Mayor’s Art Award for Outstanding Contribution to Arts Education.
Before 826DC, Joe taught writing at American University and The George Washington University, and worked in development for a transatlantic public policy organization and a renowned art museum.
Joe received his BA from The George Washington University’s Elliot School of International Affairs, his MA in Writing from Johns Hopkins University, and a Masters in Leadership from Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business.
In addition to these professional accomplishments, Joe is a proud AACPS parent. He lives in Arnold, MD, with wife, two children, and their puppy, Rosie.
You can watch/listen to this episode here:
🟢 Spotify: https://shorturl.at/cZcrp
⚫ Apple Podcast: https://shorturl.at/ShC0I
🔵 Amazon Music: https://shorturl.at/zSVgY
