A Career Abroad: MIAP graduate finds success in international humanitarian work
Friday, December 19, 2025
Media Contact: Sophia Fahleson | Digital Communications Specialist | 405-744-7063 | sophia.fahleson@okstate.edu
From rural Iowa to Oklahoma State University, one alumna is using her education to provide humanitarian efforts worldwide.
Brandi Murley, from Rockwell City, Iowa, works as a Country Monitoring and Evaluation, also known as MEAL manager, with Acted, a nongovernmental organization.
From middle school through college, Murley was active in 4-H and FFA, and continues to volunteer with the programs today. A 2012 American FFA Degree recipient, Murley was later inducted into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame in 2022 for her continued dedication to youth in agriculture.
Murley completed her bachelor’s degree in agricultural leadership at South Dakota State University in 2015. While completing her degree, she thought of the idea of joining the Peace Corps.
This led her to OSU’s Masters of International Agriculture Program, she said. Murley said she appreciated the flexibility of MIAP, which allowed her to later complete an experience in the Peace Corps.
MIAP allows students to pursue a variety of careers and opportunities, said Pam Bay, MIAP coordinator.
“The flexibility of MIAP allowed me to do the Peace Corps as I knew I wanted to work in international development and do humanitarian work,” Murley said.
Murley began her journey through MIAP in Fall 2015. During her first year, she built a connection with Craig Edwards, Starkey’s Distinguished Professor of Agricultural Education, when she took his Methods of Technological Change course.
Through this connection, Edwards said he knew Murley wanted to join the Peace Corps to complete humanitarian work while taking his courses.
Murley completed her first year of MIAP and soon was accepted into the Peace Corps.
In 2016, Murley began her service in Uganda with the NGO Mercy Corps. Her first project was working with youth in African villages in northern Uganda, she said.
The main project was getting youth involved in working in agriculture and entrepreneurship, Murley said. She also helped with various activities related to malaria prevention and sanitation in the area, she added.
Alongside the project, Murley helped with a camp for youth with aspirations to run their own businesses. The camp included training on different types of businesses and business-related topics such as budgeting and building a business plan, she said.
Murley’s time at OSU allowed her to make connections with alumni living in Uganda before she even made the trip, she said.
“Once Dr. Edwards found out I was going to Uganda, he connected me with some graduate students from Uganda,” Murley said. “We made connections in Stillwater, and throughout my time in the Peace Corps, we stayed in touch.”
During Murley’s time in Uganda, she received the opportunity to present remotely in one of Edwards’ undergraduate agricultural education courses, where she shared her experience in the Peace Corps.
Most Peace Corps positions last two years. However, Murley extended her time in service to three years.
In 2018, Murley joined the NGO Care International. During her work with Care International, her team provided communities with shelters, latrines, clean and accessible water, mental health support and protection for women against gender-based violence, Murley added.
Following her experience in the Peace Corps, Murley said she knew she wanted to continue working in the humanitarian sector.
“The humanitarian sector is fast paced — no day is the same — and it keeps me busy,” Murley said. “This environment fit well with my personality, and I wanted to continue a career in humanitarian work.”
In January 2020, Murley returned to the U.S. and resumed her studies at OSU, graduating in December 2020. In October 2021, Murley took her first full-time job in Washington, D.C.
While in Washington, D.C., Murley worked for a research-focused government contractor, evaluating the impact of the U.S. Agency for International Development projects to ensure the appropriate services were effectively provided to affected populations. As part of her role, she also regularly communicated with the contractor’s donors, she said.
“Whenever we get money from donors, we tell them exactly what we are doing or what we plan to do with this money,” Murley said. “It is part of my job to make sure we are, in fact, doing this to make our donors happy.”
Murley also worked on evaluating each program’s success — its achievements — and whether it was relevant, useful or made an impact, she said.
A year and a half later, she accepted a position with Acted, where she has been for three years. Acted is a humanitarian and development organization, assisting people around the world, Murley said.
“My first job with them was in South Sudan, and I was based in Juba, the capital city,” Murley said. “I got to go back to what started me in humanitarian work. I started with refugees in northern Uganda and then made it full circle when I was able to go into South Sudan and provide assistance to the people there.”
Murley began in Juba as a MEAL officer and was promoted to country manager after seven months, where she oversaw the country’s monitoring and evaluation activities. Today, she is continuing to work with Acted in other parts of the world.
While Murley was attending OSU, both Edwards and Bay recognized her heart for service and determination, which set her apart from her peers, Bay said. They watched her lean into every opportunity, knowing Murley would one day take those values beyond the classroom, Bay added.
“Everyone knew Brandi would humbly do good things,” Bay said. “She has a servant’s heart, and working with women and children was written into her story.”
Edwards said Murley’s journey is proof of how drive and purpose can turn education into action.
“Brandi is a living example of what a person can do,” Edwards said. “She has the skills she needs to succeed.”
Murley’s life looks different from the one she imagined growing up in rural Iowa.
Returning home only once a year for a few days, the adjustment can be challenging, Murley said. She credits her support system — both in the U.S. and abroad — for keeping her grounded through long stretches away from home and the nature of humanitarian work, she added.
Students hoping to follow in Murley’s footsteps should take an intentional approach to shaping their college and career experiences, Edwards said.
“You have to seek out the experiences you think will best prepare you for your long-term efforts and aspirations,” he said.
For those considering a life or career overseas, Murley offered her own advice, drawn from years of learning, adapting and embracing the unknown.
“Be prepared to have your world changed,” she said. “Step back, humble yourself. Be willing for change to happen and let it come to you.”
Story by: Harrison Wicker | Cowboy Journal