University of Rochester • Wilson Leader of Change Scholar

Bridging Humanitarian Action, Global Policy & Visual Storytelling.

I am an International Relations scholar and certified disaster response specialist dedicated to community resilience, refugee reunification, and data-informed crisis interventions.

Profile Highlights
Scholarship & Service
12+
Disaster & Leadership Certifications
3
Languages (Swahili, Bembe, English)
Joseph C. Wilson Leader of Change Scholar
David T. Kearns Scholar & Kearns/SSS TRIO Scholar
American Red Cross Certified Case Maintainer
National Model UN Delegate (Represented Mongolia)
Personal Journey

A Journey of Purpose & Service

Connecting lived experience with strategic diplomacy, community advocacy, and emergency relief.

My path is defined by a deep-seated belief that sustainable change begins on the ground. Starting in East Africa, I collaborated with REFUNITE in Nairobi, Kenya, mobilizing communities and directly assisting displaced refugee families in reconnecting with missing loved ones through innovative mobile tracing technologies.

That frontline commitment evolved into comprehensive crisis response in the United States. As a Disaster Cycle Services Intern with the American Red Cross Greater Rochester Chapter, I serve as a certified Case Maintainer and Transportation Specialist, helping families overcome the acute trauma of residential fires and natural disasters through direct client care and financial relief.

Concurrently, at the University of Rochester, my academic research in International Relations focuses on comparative governance, political institutionalism, and sustainable development. Whether negotiating resolutions as a Model United Nations delegate or directing creative vision at Simba Photography, I strive to elevate human stories with dignity and precision.

"True leadership is not measured by authority, but by our capacity to stand beside vulnerable communities in moments of sudden disruption and guide them toward recovery."
Billy Simba
International Relations Scholar & Disaster Responder
Academic Milestones

Education & Fellowships

Grounding practical humanitarian experience in rigorous political analysis and global leadership frameworks.

Expected May 2028

University of Rochester

Bachelor of Arts in International Relations (Politics, Policy & Development)
Rochester, New York
  • Joseph C. Wilson Leader of Change Scholar: Awarded for transformative community civic leadership and demonstrated scholarly promise.
  • David T. Kearns Scholar & SSS TRIO Scholar: Recognizing academic excellence, resilience, and STEM/policy leadership.
  • Global Studies & Fieldwork: Upcoming IES Abroad Madrid (Business, Economics & Social Sciences, Spring 2027) & Ancient Rome in Context (Rome, Italy, Spring 2026).
  • Medallion Leadership Program: Completed Levels 1 & 2 in organizational ethics, cross-cultural competence, and civic decision-making.
Aug 2023 – May 2025

Monroe Community College (SUNY)

Associate of Arts and Sciences in General Studies
Rochester, New York
  • President's Award for Civic Engagement (2024): Conferred for exceptional campus stewardship and public policy dialogue.
  • MCC Association, Inc. Board of Directors: Appointed to Executive and Operations Committees overseeing multi-million dollar institutional budgets.
  • Student Relations Senator (SGA): Primary legislative liaison advocating for student welfare, cultural programming, and conflict resolution panels.
  • SUNY Student Assembly Recognition: Contributed to Student Government of the Year distinction across the state university system.
Verified Qualifications

Certifications & Credentials

Official certifications across disaster cycle services, humanitarian client care, emergency logistics, and information systems.

Professional Track Record

Leadership in Action

Bridging emergency operations, global multilateral simulations, and regional sustainability programs.

Disaster Cycle Services & Client Care Intern

April 2026 – Present
American Red Cross • Greater Rochester Chapter

Manage regional disaster recovery cases as a certified Case Maintainer within the RC Care platform. Coordinate with first responders, conduct client intake interviews, and deploy vital financial and shelter assistance. Certified Transportation Specialist managing emergency logistics across Western New York.

Delegate Representing Mongolia

Dec 2023 – April 2024
National Model United Nations • New York, NY

Negotiated multilateral policy frameworks on global sustainability, poverty alleviation, and eco-tourism. Partnered with diverse international delegations to draft, debate, and pass three comprehensive UN committee resolutions.

Outreach Specialist Volunteer Sub-Contractor

Feb 2016 – July 2016
REFUNITE • Nairobi, Kenya

Conducted community mobilization and field registration across East Africa for the REFUNITE family reconnection platform. Tested localization and multilingual usability, ensuring accessible tracing tools for displaced refugee communities.

Sustainability Initiatives Student Worker

Feb 2025 – July 2025
AmeriCorps (Empire State Service Corps) • Rochester, NY

Advanced regional environmental compliance and supported the SUNY Climate and Sustainability Action Plan. Conducted campus ecological inventories, researched state grant programs, and spearheaded educational community workshops.

Founder & Principal Creative Director

2018 – Present
Simba Photography LLC • Rochester, NY

Founded a multidisciplinary commercial and portrait photography studio. Managed creative direction, digital asset workflows, client relations, and digital community patronage suites.

Capabilities & Languages

Core Competencies

Linguistic Mastery

Cross-cultural fluency bridging diplomacy, humanitarian triage, and international cooperation.

Swahili (Native) Bembe (Native) English (Bilingual / C2)

Technical Systems

Systems administration, geospatial mapping, and enterprise customer relationship management.

GIS Mapping RC Care (Disaster Ops) Active Directory Cherwell ITSM Blackboard / Brightspace CompTIA ITF+

Crisis Operations

Trauma-informed casework, volunteer mobilization, and emergency relief distribution.

Disaster Client Intake Emergency Logistics First Aid / CPR / AED DEI Humanitarian Outreach EPA 608 Universal
Connect & Collaborate

Get in Touch

Open to humanitarian partnerships, policy research collaborations, and professional opportunities.

Billy Simba

University of Rochester • Rochester, NY

bsimba@u.rochester.edu