About

The Pan-American College Fund is committed to Uniting the Americas One Student at a Time.  Our vision is that the U.S. Ambassador, who graduated from the Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, sits across the table from the Brazilian Ambassador, who graduated from the University of Georgia.  These are two people who can understand each other, speak each other’s native language, and work together to solve problems.  We believe education is the most powerful tool we have to develop empathy among all citizens of the Americas.  We work to give students of all ages funding to pursue an academic degree.  Whether an Undergraduate, Graduate, or Doctoral student, if they pursue their degree outside of their home country and in an American State, we provide all the necessary assistance, funding, and mentoring for our students.

We find, fund, and partner with educators and students looking to pursue an academic degree in the Americas, but outside their native country.  Our goal is to instill empathy among all people in the Americas.  Research suggests this can be accomplished when people live, work, study, and learn the native language of a new culture.  When students are selected for our scholarship, we provide full funding for their academic pursuits.  This includes tuition, room, board, and travel expenses to and from the student’s home country during holiday breaks.  Students of all ages are encouraged to apply.

Todd Watkins served as a Helicopter Pilot and Tax Officer for Bravo Company, 7^th Battalion, 101^st Airborne Division. During his time in the military, Todd traveled extensively around the world and had the opportunity to volunteer throughout the Americas. While traveling in Brazil Todd realized an unusual fact.  The country of Brazil was very similar to the United States in size and inhabitants.  Brazil’s natural resources even rivaled those of the United States.  However, the country lagged much of the world in areas such as medical advancements, business, and farming.  Upon further research, Todd discovered that the United States produced more Ph.D. graduates than Brazil produced High School graduates.  The reality is that this large disparity in educational attainment makes it very difficult for the two countries to communicate.  This means Brazil was unable to take advantage of various programs designed to strengthen the relationship between the two countries.  Todd surmised that by increasing the University graduation rates in Brazil, it would assist Brazil in technical advances.  However, education alone would not be a deciding factor in strengthening the bond between the two largest nations in the Americas.  It was important to use education to develop empathy for each other’s culture.  Hence, the birth of The Pan-American College Fund.  An organization with the sole purpose of developing empathy via education.

“Empathy is patiently and sincerely seeing the world through the other person’s eyes.  It is not learned in school; it is cultivated over a lifetime.”

Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein said that empathy can only be achieved by living in another person’s shoes.  Research indicates that empathy can only be achieved by speaking the native tongue and living, working, or studying in another culture for a least one-year.  Earning an education fulfills all these requirements along with an added benefit.  Knowledge makes men equal.

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

Nelson Mandela