UW Alum Founds Nonprofit to Expand Global Education Access

Devin Walker, a member of the first cohort of Scholars to attend the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 2003, credits his Posse experience with shaping both his personal growth and professional mission. Today, he is the founder of World Walker, a nonprofit dedicated to expanding international education access for underrepresented students.

At UW–Madison, Walker majored in sociology and history, fields that sharpened his awareness of social issues and systemic inequities. He studied abroad three times during his undergraduate years, often as the only Black student in his programs. The absence of spaces to reflect on identity and belonging during those trips later inspired his career focus: creating study abroad opportunities where Black and Latino students could connect, learn and discuss their experiences.

While pursuing graduate studies at the University of Texas at Austin, Walker was tasked with “revolutionizing study abroad.” He responded by designing programs centered on the experiences of students of color. Over the next decade, those programs sent more than 650 students abroad, with over 85 percent identifying as students of color and 60 percent as Black.

In 2023, after new legislation in Texas ended diversity, equity and inclusion programs in higher education, Walker launched World Walker to continue this work independently. In its first year, the organization partnered with institutions including the University of Washington and UT Austin to lead trips to Ghana and Japan. For 2025, World Walker will expand to include trips to Japan and the United Arab Emirates, with more than 150 students applying from six Texas institutions. The nonprofit also plans to introduce short-term global exposure trips and a two-month internship program in West Africa.

Walker views study abroad not only as academic enrichment but also as a transformative tool for social impact. His goal is for students to return with broader perspectives and a deeper commitment to leadership both locally and globally. Through World Walker, and with the influence of Posse still guiding his work, Walker continues to build pathways for the next generation of changemakers.