What is Immersed Global?
Who We Are:
Immersed Global Communication Cooperative is a collective of educators, creatives, and community advocates working together to reimagine global education. We design and deliver language and cultural immersion programs that make learning joyful, accessible, and identity-affirming for children and families—particularly those from under-resourced communities.
As a cooperative, we combine shared expertise and lived experience to develop bilingual learning tools, virtual immersion programs, and international travel opportunities. Through our initiatives, we bring vibrant, culture-centered programming to neighborhoods across the country—meeting families where they are and connecting them to the world.
Meet Our Team
Behind every Immersed Global program is a passionate group of educators, creators, and changemakers committed to reimagining what global education looks like—especially for underserved and marginalized communities.
Founder/CEO
Makeva Armant
Makeva is an educator, global learning advocate, and founder of Immersed Global Communication Cooperative & Madame Armant's Immersion Cities, INC. With certifications in Elementary Education and K–12 French and Spanish, she holds a Master’s in Intercultural Communication from UMBC and a Bachelor’s in Modern Languages from ULM. Her professional experience spans teaching French at the middle, high school, and collegiate levels, as well as high school Spanish —including roles with Teach for America, McKinley Senior High in Baton Rouge, Pikesville High School in Baltimore, MD and as an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Through Immersed Global, she creates culturally responsive programs that make global education joyful, engaging and accessible for families in underserved communities.
A lifelong student of world cultures, Makeva has studied abroad in Belgium through CODOFIL and led student groups on immersive cultural excursions across the U.S. and abroad, including trips to Paris, Versailles, Puerto Rico, and Mexico. Her commitment to creating global learning opportunities for marginalized students has long shaped her public advocacy. Since 2013, she has used her role as a pageant titleholder to champion diversity, inclusion, and access through her platform: Promoting Diversity Through the Study of World Languages and Cultures, now known as #GetImmersed.
Program Coordinator
David Muhammad
David serves as the Program Coordinator for Madame Armant’s Immersion Cities. He began his career in Human Services, working with adjudicated youth through local nonprofits and Maryland’s Job Corps in partnership with the Department of Juvenile Services. His early work focused on helping youth access jobs and support services—experience that built the foundation for his mission-driven approach to workforce development and program coordination.
In his role with Immersion Cities, David brings a blend of logistical expertise, community engagement, and strategic support to ensure the success of youth-focused, culturally immersive programming. From coordinating site logistics to supporting volunteers and families, David helps bring each city experience to life with precision and heart.
Executive Partner
Morgan Smith
Morgan is the Executive Partner of Immersed Global, playing a key role in translating vision into action and supporting the organization’s growth and strategy. A proud native of West Monroe, Louisiana, Morgan has dedicated the past seven years to teaching Spanish and inspiring a love for languages among her students. She earned her degree from the University of Louisiana at Monroe, where she also served on the advisory board for the university’s World Language Festival—an experience that allowed her to extend her impact beyond the classroom and help bring language learning opportunities to high school students throughout the region.
Morgan’s passion for world languages and cultural education continues to shape her personal and professional journey. Through Immersed Global, she is able to expand that mission by helping families and communities access culturally rich, immersive learning experiences. With values that mirror her own, Immersed Global gives Morgan the platform to inspire curiosity and connection through language.
Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, attending concerts, exploring new cultures through food, and spending time with friends—and her two beloved dogs, Delmira and Kahlo.
Executive Assistant
Pat Buslon
As the Executive Assistant at Immersed Global, she plays a vital role in supporting the organization’s mission to foster global communication and cultural understanding. Her work has allowed her to engage with people from a variety of backgrounds, expanding her perspective and strengthening her commitment to equity and inclusion in global education.
Outside of Immersed Global, she finds joy in traveling and exploring new cultures—experiences that continue to inspire her personal and professional journey. Her passion for meaningful connection and curiosity about the world align seamlessly with the values of the organization.
Language Education Program Developer
María del Mar Aranda Gómez-Guillamón
María del Mar (she/her/ella) is a Fulbright scholar from Málaga, Spain, currently pursuing an M.A. in Intercultural Communication at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), along with a TESOL certificate. Her early and diverse intercultural experiences abroad sparked a profound passion for languages and an insatiable curiosity about how culture impacts the way people approach life and connect with others.
She also holds a master’s degree in Secondary Education and has spent the past six years working in various international and educational settings across Spain and abroad. Her professional background includes teaching English and Spanish as second languages, supporting education abroad programs, and facilitating intercultural training for high school students.
María del Mar is a strong advocate for the transformative power of intercultural experiences and language learning, particularly for young people. She believes these experiences are key to developing global and intercultural competence and opening doors to personal, academic, and professional growth. Through her graduate studies and professional work, she is committed to fostering meaningful and inclusive intercultural and language learning opportunities for young learners.
In her current role as Language Education Program Developer at Immersed Global, she contributes to the design and development of culturally immersive, bilingual curriculum and educational materials.
Research Assistant
Sharmitha Yazhini
Sharmitha is a Research Assistant at Immersed Global, where she supports the integration of AI into educational spaces and contributes to data-driven analysis for impactful learning initiatives. She holds a Master’s degree in Applied Data Science and currently works as an AI Software Engineer. As a first-generation graduate and international student, Sharmitha deeply understands the transformative power of language and education. She is passionate about contributing to a mission that leverages AI to expand access to learning and empower communities worldwide.
TikTok Content Manager
Emma Tsogo
Emma is a creative and globally minded high school student passionate about social justice, language, and culture. Born in Ivory Coast to Cameroonian parents and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, she brings a unique multicultural perspective to everything she does. As Immersed Global’s TikTok Manager, Emma plays a key role in shaping the organization’s digital voice. She develops engaging and educational content highlighting the beauty of world languages, cross-cultural experiences, and global immersion. Her work on the platform helps connect young people to opportunities for cultural exploration and sparks interest in language learning through creative storytelling and trends.
Outside of Immersed Global, Emma is involved in activities that reflect her values, including volunteering as a tutor for immigrant children and working with local service organizations. She is fluent in French and conversational in Spanish, and she continues to seek out ways to use her language skills to build bridges between communities.
Emma enjoys hanging out with friends and family, traveling, and reading in her free time. She is excited to be part of this team and is dedicated to using TikTok and social media to make these experiences more accessible to youth everywhere.
Grant Writing + Partnership & Outreach Assistant
Becca Nolder
Becca’s love for languages and international development started when she was a high school student taking Advanced French classes. After graduating from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) with a Bachelors’ in Social Work, Becca joined the Peace Corps as a Rural Community Health Volunteer, implementing maternal and child health programs in her host-site of Tchetti, Benin. Shortly after, Becca decided to pursue a dual degree in Public Health and Social Work with an international development focus, at Washington University in St. Louis. As a graduate student she worked as a Research Assistant with the E3 Nutrition Lab, managing the administrative input and review of multiple nutrition-focused research projects operating from Ecuador and Haiti. Additionally, she was an International Development Intern for the non-profit PSDI (Partners in Sustainable Development International), identifying and reviewing family-foundation grants applicable to the humanitarian sector. Upon completion of her graduate studies, Becca worked as a Program Development Coordinator with CNFA (Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture), assisting with technical desk research, consultant recruitment, invoice management, and coordination of global partnership meetings.
As the Partnerships and Grants Outreach Volunteer with Immersed Global, Becca tracks potential partnership and funding opportunities to enhance Immersed Global’s mission. She is committed to utilizing her skills and experience to provide language learning opportunities for youth and families, while giving back to a city that is close to her heart- Baltimore, Maryland.
Research Assistant
Manasseh Cudjoe
Manasseh brings a strong background in research, education, and community engagement, with a deep commitment to equity in learning. He recently completed his Ph.D. and has experience supporting educators and designing culturally responsive curriculum that reflects the diverse needs of today’s learners.
As a volunteer Research Assistant with Immersed Global, Manasseh is excited to contribute to the advancement of immersive, bilingual education for underserved communities. He looks forward to collaborating on programs that expand meaningful access to global learning opportunities for children and families around the world.
Digital Marketing/Youtube Manager
Shiri Cohen
Shiri has always had a love for languages. She speaks multiple languages, including English and Spanish. Shiri started learning Spanish when she was 9 (technically) but started taking it more seriously in college. After taking an intermediate Spanish course at the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC), Shiri has been recommended by the faculty to become the Supplemental Instructor of the course. Additionally, she participated in the Intercultural Living Exchange (ILE) community at UMBC to promote language learning, and studied abroad in Spain. Shiri has a bachelor’s degree in visual arts (concentration in animation and graphic design) as well as a minor in Spanish. Shiri specializes in video editing and design using software like After Effects, Premiere Pro and InDesign.
As the Digital Marketing Volunteer at Immersed Global, Shiri edits YouTube videos and designs assets to support the organization’s mission. She is dedicated to leveraging her skills and experience to expand language learning opportunities for youth and families.
Partnership & Outreach Assistant
Ntokozo (TK) Anekwe
Ntokozo Anekwe is a dynamic Supply Chain Planning professional with a deep passion for strategy, performance analysis, innovation, and cross-functional collaboration. She has successfully led processes that align Forecasts and operations, always prioritizing effective partnerships and integrated solutions.
Ntokozo is a dedicated advocate for continuous self-development and youth empowerment, especially the ones located in under-resourced communities. She is extremely drawn to initiatives that aim to improve lives, uplift communities, bridge cultural barriers and foster inclusive, global dialogue—values that strongly align with those of Immersed Global. Her deep love for travel and having had the privilege to travel across the African continent and to some international destinations, she soon realised how similar we all are and how language barriers played a role in the community divide. A gap that Immersed Global is trying to close through the language initiative.
In her role as Partnership and Outreach Assistant at Immersed Global, Ntokozo brings a strategic mindset and a relationship-driven approach. She is excited to contribute to building meaningful long term collaborations, supporting research engagement, and amplifying Immersed Global’s efforts to inspire, connect, and impact communities across the globe.
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Language Education Program Developer
Dzmitry (Dima) Zakharau
Dzmitry is an experienced international educator with over six years of teaching and academic coaching across Asia and the Middle East. He specializes in English and Russian language instruction, with a strong focus on intercultural communication and student engagement. Currently, he serves as a lecturer at Hainan College of Foreign Studies in China, where he develops curriculum and organizes language-focused academic events. He has previously taught in Vietnam, Palestine, and Mongolia, delivering instruction in IELTS preparation, science, and interdisciplinary subjects.
Dzmitry holds a Master’s degree with honors in Linguistics from Moscow International Academy and BA in Intercultural Relations from Minsk State Linguistic University. His teaching philosophy emphasizes inquiry-based learning, personalized coaching, and global citizenship. Beyond the classroom, he has contributed to youth leadership camps and educational volunteer programs, including in rural Mongolia and southern China. He is a certified teacher of Russian as a foreign language and a TEFL/TESOL holder. Fluent in six languages, he brings a uniquely global perspective to every learning environment.
Meta Platform Content Lead
Isabella (Izzy) Cuevas
Isabella is a mission-driven development and communications strategist with a strong commitment to equity and social impact. With over five years of experience working across the nonprofit and public health sectors, she has led multimodal fundraising campaigns, crafted compelling donor communications, and built data systems that drive engagement and sustainability.
Isabella holds a Master of Public Health with a focus on social determinants of health, and a bachelor's degree in Gender, Sexuality & Women’s Studies, grounding her work in intersectionality and community-centered practice. She has supported a diverse range of causes, from food justice and educational access to mental health and reproductive rights.
As a Latina changemaker, Isabella is passionate about uplifting underrepresented voices and creating systems that center access, dignity, and justice. Whether she’s managing a development portfolio or designing an outreach campaign, Isabella leads with purpose, empathy, and strategic clarity.
She believes that meaningful connection across borders fosters empathy, understanding, and transformative learning. From studying public health systems abroad to participating in community-based projects, Isabella seeks out opportunities to engage authentically with local cultures, histories, and movements. Her travels continuously inform her worldview and deepen her commitment to equity on a global scale.
Inspiration
“Language is the road map of a culture. It tells you where its people come from and where they are going.” - Rita Mae Brown