Global Leadership Academy

Global Leadership Academy students gain expertise in leadership and community service all while acknowledging our distinct and unique backgrounds.

Our GLA members come from many parts of the world: Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Colombia, Cuba, Venezuela, El Salvador, The United States and Nicaragua. We are a Global Community.

Our members develop essential leadership skills, including effective communication, decisive decision making, organization, strategic action planning, and critical thinking. These competencies not only foster
their personal growth but also enable them to become resilient collaborators, adept team members, and inspiring leaders who lead by example.

The Global Leadership Academy began in 2020-2021 as an idea designed to empower and support high school newcomer students. The work was
focused on educating students and families about opportunities afforded them in our schools but it became a labor of love and personal dedication in 2021-2022 after Dr. Zelaya visited Odessa High School classrooms and spent time with our recent immigrants. The passion and energy shared by the OHS EB students set the groundwork for ECISD’s first emergent bilingual student organization; the Odessa High School Global Leadership Academy was born. Students worked hard and held each other to high expectations recognizing diverse cultures and unifying student experiences. They were recognized by the state during the 2023 Mexican American School Board Association (MASBA) annual conference as an “Outstanding English Language Learner Initiative”

-The work continues

Engaging in community service offers GLA students a multifaceted learning experience. It broadens their perspective by exposing them to diverse social, economic, and cultural realities beyond their immediate surroundings. This firsthand exposure cultivates empathy as students gain a deeper understanding of others’ struggles and needs.