Scholarship Alumnus Paul Ronan on Rural Values & Global Impact

Four-time Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship recipient discusses how growing up in Allegany County prepared him to serve communities around the world.

The lessons Paul Ronan learned growing up in Rushford, New York, have carried him thousands of miles from Allegany County to communities across Central Africa.

As a four-time recipient of the Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship (2002–2005), Paul had the chance to study abroad in Uganda during his time at Syracuse University. This study abroad experience became a catalyst for launching his career in international humanitarian work.

In this interview, Paul shares how growing up in Allegany County prepared him to connect with people from cultures around the world.

Today, Paul serves as Director of Policy and Programs at Invisible Children, a non-profit organization that works to protect vulnerable communities, uplift local peacebuilders, and prevent mass atrocities in Central Africa. Throughout his career, he has traveled to Africa nearly 20 times.

Paul shares advice for rural students interested in international service, as well as those looking to make a difference in their own communities. His story is an example of how local philanthropy can have a global impact. 

Watch the full interview on YouTube to hear Paul Ronan's full story and learn how one student's journey from rural New York became a lifetime dedicated to humanitarian service.

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