Bisk Education and Notre Dame Present Documentary Film Project That Tells The Stories of 25 African Fellows

TAMPA, Fla., July 30, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Bisk Education, one of the world's leading providers of online education technology and facilitation, is pleased to announce the Notre Dame YALI Film Project - a documentary endeavor that features 25 Mandela Washington Fellows at the University of Notre Dame. The Mandela Washington Fellowship is the flagship program of the Obama Administration's Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). The Bisk-sponsored short film will chronicle personal connections made by the African fellows built first online and then continued on campus as they learn critical business, leadership and life skills to take back to their home countries.    

Working with the Mendoza College of Business' Nonprofit Professional Development program, Bisk first became involved with the initiative by providing the fellows, age 25 to 35, with pre-arrival access to relevant Notre Dame online coursework, preparing them for the educational journey that lies ahead.  Soon, the education-for-the-greater-good mission alignment between Bisk, Notre Dame and YALI made it clear that there was a larger story to tell.  As a result, the notion of documenting narratives around the fellows, their plights and their experience at Notre Dame was born. 

"We are honored to present the Notre Dame YALI Film Project," said Michael D. Bisk, President of Bisk Education. "It's exciting to show the incredible journey these young fellows share as they gain valuable skills that will drive change and create prosperity in their local communities throughout Africa."

These remarkable young people from 19 countries are already leaders in their own right, exemplifying passion and persistence in driving business, mission and education.  The YALI Film Project documents their applied learning from the online experience and their subsequent journey to the Notre Dame campus. The fellows spent six weeks participating in professional development, cultural immersion and leadership training, all driven by the Mendoza College of Business.

Nearly 30,000 individuals from across Africa applied for the 2015 Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, commissioned by the U.S. Department of State. Out of these applicants, 500 were given the opportunity to hone their leadership skills at U.S. academic institutions, and the University of Notre Dame is a sponsor institution.

The Notre Dame YALI Film Project presented by Bisk Education will premiere this fall.  For a sneak peek and to follow the fellows' stories, visit www.NotreDameOnline.com/YALI. 

About Bisk EducationFounded in 1971, Bisk Education is one of the country's largest and most respected facilitators of online education. The company's innovative, student-focused technology and support services power the delivery of degree and professional certificate programs from the nation's leading traditional and accredited universities.  Bisk is committed to transforming lives by supporting the lifelong learning goals of adult learners.  For more information go to www.Bisk.com.

About the University of Notre DameFounded in 1842, the University of Notre Dame is an accredited, independent, national university located in Notre Dame, Indiana. Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business was established in 1921 with a mission of fostering academic excellence, professional effectiveness and personal accountability. Both the University of Notre Dame and the Mendoza College of Business have consistently achieved top rankings from Bloomberg Businessweek and U.S. News & World Report.

Video - http://origin-qps.onstreammedia.com/origin/multivu_archive/PRNA/ENR/250794-NDYALIFilmProject-Teaser-Trailer-w-YALI-URL.mp4

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SOURCE Bisk Education