Andrew Larson is a 2025 Charles B. Rangel Graduate Fellow dedicated to advancing cultural diplomacy, grassroots development, and youth empowerment across the SWANA region. He served three years in the Peace Corps in a small Amazigh town in Morocco, where he co-founded Awal Nouzilal, a youth-led nonprofit organization that empowers indigenous Amazigh communities through sustainable, community-driven initiatives. As Creative Director, he continues to lead projects focused on cultural preservation, leadership development, and storytelling.

Previously, Andrew was an English Lecturer at Nile Valley University in Atbara, Sudan, where he developed English curricula and youth life-skills programs. During the 2021 military takeover, he pivoted to creating safe learning environments, equipping students with tools to navigate uncertainty and foster resilience.

Andrew earned his B.A. in Global Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and studied abroad in Amman, Jordan and Seoul, South Korea, where he tutored North Korean refugees in English as a Gilman Scholar. He is currently pursuing his M.A. in Arab Studies at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, deepening his expertise in cultural diplomacy, identity politics, and China’s influence in the SWANA region.