Change is an inevitable part of any journey, and today, we write with bittersweet news.

After over a decade of dedicated service, Rachel Anderholder will be stepping down as Carpe Mundi’s Executive Director on July 3, 2025.

We've also had a change in board leadership, as Dr. Delia Grenville has assumed the Board Chair role this winter. Former Board Chair Rick Thomas has transitioned to an advisory role, continuing to support Carpe Mundi in a more focused capacity.

Please read on to learn more about these transitions and the contributions of both Rachel and Rick. Stay tuned in the coming weeks for more updates regarding hiring a new Executive Director to lead Carpe Mundi to its next chapter, as well as plans for celebrating both Rachel and Rick.

If you have any questions, comments, or curiosities regarding these announcements, please reach out to our new chair, Delia Grenville, at Delia@carpemundi.org.

Rachel has been more than a great leader.

She has been a mentor, an advocate, and a steadfast champion for low-income and first-generation college students. Under her leadership, Carpe Mundi has expanded its reach, deepened its impact, and strengthened key partnerships, ensuring that even more students can access life-changing international learning experiences.

Her tenure has been marked by remarkable achievements, including:

Expanding Opportunities for Students
Rachel established Carpe Mundi’s partnership with Where There Be Dragons, opening new travel opportunities for students and creating the Dragons Fund, an additional program managed by Carpe Mundi. She also oversaw our first long-term program evaluation, defining our organizational impacts to ensure our programs continue to serve students effectively.

Strengthening Financial Sustainability
When financial aid access to our programming was lost, Rachel worked closely with the Board to secure anchor funding, ensuring those costs were not passed on to students. Additionally, she reimagined our annual fundraiser, shifting from a traditional gala to an un-gala that better engages our community—doubling the amount raised annually at that event.

Building a Resilient and Inclusive Organization
Under Rachel’s leadership, Carpe Mundi staff grew to a team of three, increasing our capacity to serve students. She also championed alumni representation on the Board, ensuring that former students have had a voice in shaping the organization ever since.

Navigating Challenges with Innovation
During the pandemic, Rachel adapted our programming to best support students when international travel wasn’t an option, keeping Carpe Mundi’s mission at the forefront despite global uncertainty.

Her ability to cultivate meaningful relationships—whether with students, staff, board members, or our incredible partners—has been instrumental in shaping Carpe Mundi into the thriving, mission-driven organization it is today. Rachel has not only led with vision but with heart, reminding us that education is about more than just opportunity; it’s about belonging, confidence, and transformation.

Our students have already heard this news, and we are planning ways for them and the broader community to honor Rachel and her contributions before her departure. More details to come.

As we prepare for this transition, the Board is committed to finding a leader who will continue Rachel’s legacy and build upon the strong foundation she has created. In the coming weeks, we will share more about our next steps, and as always, we welcome your support and insights.

Rachel’s impact is woven into the fabric of Carpe Mundi, and her leadership has set the stage for the next chapter of our work. While transitions can be difficult, they are also moments to reflect, celebrate, and embrace what comes next. We invite you to join us in thanking Rachel—not just for what she has done, but for who she has been to this community.

Carpe Mundi is also excited to announce the appointment of Dr. Delia Grenville as its new Board Chair. Dr. Grenville succeeds Rick Thomas, who will transition to an advisory role on the board, ensuring continuity and strategic guidance for the organization’s growth.

As the new Board Chair, Dr. Grenville will champion Carpe Mundi's mission, bringing innovative strategies to expand its impact. “Carpe Mundi’s approach is truly one-of-a-kind, and I am honored to help guide the organization as we create life-changing opportunities for students,” said Dr. Grenville.

Rick, reflecting on his tenure, remarked, “It has been a privilege to serve as Board Chair. Carpe Mundi’s model sets the gold standard for equity and student success, and I am confident that under Dr. Grenville’s leadership, we will achieve even greater heights.”

We are incredibly grateful for the decade of leadership Rick has provided on Carpe Mundi's board, including two separate stints as Board Chair.

These leadership transitions mark a new chapter in Carpe Mundi's history, reinforcing its commitment to breaking barriers in higher education.

On behalf of Delia, Rick, Rachel, and the Carpe Mundi Staff and Board, thank you for reading and for all of your support of Carpe Mundi's students and mission, including during this time of transition. Your belief in the transformational power of international experiences means the world.