WASHINGTON, D.C., July 21, 2026 – The College of Professional Studies (CPS) at The George Washington University today announced a partnership with the Open Mindset Project, a nonprofit that helps college students and recent graduates develop global competencies needed to succeed in today’s interconnected workforce through structured online learning and personalized mentorship.

Through the program, GW students complete a four-part online curriculum, offered through RevU, GW’s lifelong learning platform, and are matched with accomplished GW alumni selected from Open Mindset Project’s Global Gurus network—professionals with extensive international and industry experience. Together, the coursework and mentorship help students understand how culture, perspective and global systems shape communication, collaboration and decision-making, then apply those insights to academic, professional and everyday settings.

Founded by author, entrepreneur and global leadership expert Stacie Nevadomski Berdan, the Open Mindset Project connects students with experienced professionals who have built careers across industries, cultures and continents, giving them practical guidance that complements the program’s curriculum.

"At the College of Professional Studies, we are committed to preparing students to navigate complexity, collaborate across cultures and lead in an increasingly interconnected world,” said Liesl Riddle, dean of the College of Professional Studies. “This partnership advances that mission by pairing students with accomplished GW alumni whose international careers give them firsthand insight into working across cultures, industries and borders.”

The inaugural cohort includes 23 GW students matched with alumni mentors through Open Mindset’s proprietary matching process. Those alumni are part of a global network representing experience across 110 countries, more than 85 industries and 30 languages, with careers spanning finance, healthcare, aerospace, artificial intelligence, international development and environmental nonprofits. 

“Global competence is no longer a nice-to-have—these skills are fundamental to career success and are difficult to teach at scale in a traditional classroom,” said Nevadomski Berdan, founder, chair and president of the Open Mindset Project. “By combining structured learning with personalized mentorship from accomplished global professionals, this partnership gives GW students practical experience that will serve them throughout their careers.” 

About the College of Professional Studies

The College of Professional Studies at The George Washington University serves a diverse community of learners through innovative undergraduate, graduate, and professional education programs designed to meet the needs of today's workforce. Through academic excellence, industry partnerships, and experiential learning opportunities, CPS prepares students to lead and succeed in a rapidly changing world.

About the Open Mindset Project

The Open Mindset Project is a nonprofit organization established in 2025 that prepares college students and recent graduates for careers that cross cultures and industries. By the end of 2026, approximately 250 participants from more than 20 universities and organizations will have completed the program. Nearly 200 accomplished volunteer mentors make up the network of Global Gurus.