DEAC Outstanding Alumnus Awards 2025
Join us in congratulating Scott Bessenecker & Kumar Aryal!
On April 8, 2025 two WCIU Alumni were recognized at the DEAC annual conference in Tucson, Arizona. This year’s theme was “Navigating Challenges: Charting the Way Forward,” we are proud to say these innovative alumni are doing just that in their respective fields.
Scott Bessenecker
2000 Alumnus, MA in International Development
Scott Bessenecker
Developing holistic mission immersions in marginalized communities.
Graduated in 2000 with a MA in International Development with a concentration in Global Civilizations
Current Location: Madison, Wisconsin
Scott Bessenecker is Director of Global Engagement & Justice for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. He began working for InterVarsity in 1986 shortly after gaining a degree in Business Administration from Iowa State University.
Scott oversees InterVarsity’s work of sending college students to marginalized communities domestically and abroad where they encounter Christ and to learn how to participate in holistic mission. His team runs InterVarsity’s Global Programs, Justice Programs and Study Abroad. "Those on societies margins and those in the center need to be in relationship," Scott says. "The insulation between communities is suffocating us and preventing us from learning from and contributing to one another." To that end he created the Global Urban Trek - a summer immersion program for students to sojourn with those living in slum communities of the developing world.
Scott is author or editor of five books, most of which explore issues of global poverty. He received his Master’s degree in International Development from William Carey International University and hosts a blog and occasional podcasts on his website https://www.overturningtables.com/ He lives in Madison, WI with his wife Janine who is a watercolor artist and has three adult children, Hannah, Philip and Laura.
As part of the Master’s Capstone project at William Carey International University, Scott designed the Global Urban Trek. This program continues to transform the lives of participants as they gain new insights through sharing life with people in vulnerable communities throughout the world.
Kumar Aryal, PhD
2018 Alumnus, PhD in International Development
Kumar Aryal, PhD
Our purpose in life is more important than the place we live in.
Graduated in 2018 with a PhD in International Development
Current Location: Kathmandu, Nepal
Kumar has a Ph.D. in International Development from William Carey International University and currently serves as the executive director of the Himalayan Hope Foundation. He was a professor of intercultural studies at the International Graduate School of Leadership (IGSL) in Manila, Philippines, for nine years.
Kumar Aryal is the founder and currently serves as executive director of Himalayan Hope Foundation, member of the advisory board at Lausanne Global Analysis (LGA), member of the advisory board at Asia Graduate School of Theology-Nepal (AGSTNP), and PhD coordinator for South Asia at Asian School of Development and Cross-Cultural Studies (ASDECS).
He served as the Director of Life Mentoring at International Graduate School of Leadership from 2016 to 2018. And at the same time, he was also on the Executive Leadership Team of International Graduate School of Leadership.
Kumar received the President’s Award at the International Graduate School of Leadership in 2012. The award was given for best embodying the IGSL distinctives. President’s award is the highest IGSL award given each year to graduates who embody the balance between the head, heart and hands.
Kumar’s research interests include poverty and development, migration, holistic development, and social justice. He has written a book entitled, Poverty and Development: Evangelical Christian Response to Poverty in the Philippines. He has also published several articles on poverty and development, migration and mission, and integral mission. He is married to Kathryn, and they have three boys: Kevin, Kyle, and Kurt.
"My PhD studies at WCIU equipped me to become a scholar-practitioner in the area of International Development. Today, I continue to read, write, publish, teach, speak, as well as lead a non-profit organization to alleviate poverty." Kumar Aryal PhD