As they rounded the corner toward their first on-site school visit, the three representatives from Mizzou Academy erupted in a collective squeal of delight. There was Truman the Tiger–larger than life on the side of the school building–proudly announcing the Mizzou Academy diploma program in Turkey. 

Pictured (left to right): Business Director, Tami Regan; Director of Curriculum Development & IT, Angela Hammons; host and partner coordinator Sarah Özdemir, and Educational Program Coordinator, Karen Scales pause to appreciate this meaningful symbol of partnership and possibility in global education. 

Dual Diploma Partnership

Dual diploma students in Turkey use Mizzou Academy’s online high school curriculum to complete their U.S. diploma requirements, while also completing the required Turkish National curriculum. This hybrid program allows students to earn a diploma from both Turkey and the United States. Additionally, graduates of the program who meet admissions requirements are offered a direct matriculation pathway as undergraduate students at the University of Missouri.

Tolga and Sarah Özdemir coordinate the Mizzou Academy dual diploma program across three partner schools in Turkey: Altin Eǧỉtỉm Okullari, located in the capital city of Ankara, Pema Koleji in Konya, and Tan Okullari in Bursa. 

The Özdemirs first connected with Mizzou Academy via zoom in 2020. From that first outreach meeting, it was clear that the two programs would be a great match. In reflecting on partnership as a core value at Mizzou Academy, Sarah shares that “it’s amazing how our virtual collaboration has fostered such a deep connection. Even though we [had] only interacted online, it truly feels like I’ve known this incredible team forever. Their genuine passion for student success shines through in every interaction, making it clear that they are not only educators but advocates for our growth as partners.”

Mizzou Academy Executive Director, Dr. Kathryn Fishman Weaver echoes the mutual appreciation: “Whether we’re talking curriculum, technology, programming, professional learning,  or policy, Tolga and Sarah Özdemir have an energy that lights up every conversation. Their passion for student excellence and wellbeing shapes the ways they think about school. Over the years, I have seen firsthand how this leadership and care has guided the ways they have expanded our Mizzou programs in Turkey.”

Student Voices

At each school they visited, the Mizzou Academy ambassadors were warmly welcomed into classrooms and community spaces. Tami Regan shared, “The warm, supportive, family environment fostered by Sarah and Tolga was immediately evident and almost tangible!” 

Angie Hammons recalls that “It felt like coming home when we stepped into Altin Eǧỉtỉm. Everyone from the administrators, teachers, and students made us feel welcome. I absolutely adored the two middle school students [Derin Naz ARAT and Zeynep UÇAR] who gave us a tour of Altin. Their bravery was amazing as they interacted with us.”

For Karen Scales, who also serves as Mizzou Academy’s global high school ELA Division Chair and teaches several English courses in the program, a highlight of the trip was getting to meet some of her students in person for the first time. 

Doğa Levendoğlu is in her final year of the dual diploma program and currently preparing her college applications. Karen shares that “I was thrilled to meet Doğa, who wrote such compelling stories in my Creative Writing course. I am now in the process of writing a glowing letter of recommendation for her, and it was so cool to talk with her about her writing and her plans for the future!” 

Following the visit, Doğa shared, “The fact that [the Mizzou Academy team] took the time to fly across the world to meet with their students face-to-face was incredible to me. I really felt their support and genuine care for each student’s success and well-being. Then again, that’s how being a part of Mizzou is. You feel like you are part of a big family, and everyone in this community knows big dreams are achieved with big families.”

In 2024, Elvin Aydin became the first Mizzou Academy graduate of the dual diploma program in Turkey. She returned to her alma mater to meet her former teachers, and graciously shared her experiences and wisdom with 8th graders considering the program. Translating into English for the Mizzou Academy team, Sarah’s eyes welled with proud tears as she paraphrased Elvin’s message for younger students in Turkey: to explore, to trust in themselves, to value their own ideas and voices, and not to be afraid to discover what might be out there in the world for them. Elvin is currently preparing to attend drama school in the United States.

Nurturing Student-Centered Partnerships 

Mizzou Academy representatives and their host coordinators also were delighted to speak directly with parents, teachers, and building administrators at Altin Eǧỉtỉm, Pema, and Tan. At each school, they shared program updates and answered thoughtful questions from stakeholders about the dual diploma program, accreditation, graduation requirements, how best to prepare their students for college and career, and their shared mission and core values. Reflecting on these conversations, Tolga observed that “In-person visits like this are invaluable. They allow for a deeper connection that virtual meetings simply can’t provide. The opportunity for students and parents to meet Mizzou representatives face-to-face builds a stronger sense of community and trust. For our partner schools, it solidifies the relationship and enhances collaboration, aligning everyone with shared educational goals.” 

On-site school visits like these–marked by warm embraces, deep conversation, and a lot of laughter–affirm Mizzou Academy’s belief that students are leaders not just in the future, but where they are right now; that every student deserves to feel seen and known; and that fundamentally, all learning begins with building relationships.