Melanie and Dan, Japan photo collage

As most of you know, we changed our name in September 2024 to broaden our student reach and refine our focus. For Q/A on this change, our focus, and recent DPS decisions, CLICK HERE.

Still Involved and Sharing Their Wisdom.

DCIS Foundation founders Melanie Grant and Dan Lutz helped guide our growth strategy and name change. They believe in us. They meet regularly with Executive Director Theresa Meier Conley to share best practices and future goals for student scholars.

They made a donation. Will you join Melanie, Dan, and Theresa by making a YEAR-END donation? It is quick and easy. CLICK HERE.

They're Back from Japan.

Enjoy a fun photo collage of the 2024 JAPAN IMMERSION TRIP. The DCIS Foundation donated $15,000 to help make this trip possible.

At the airport.

Up, up and away.

Speaking japanese.

Speaking Japanese was very difficult for me, but I got more and more used to it over time, and I also got much better at it while I was there." - James

Eating and Cooking.

At school in Tokyo.

Bonding + friendships.

High-speed train + resting.

Home stay connections..

Cultural sites + learning.

Do you know anyone who has benefited from a DCIS Foundation scholarship or grant, please consider a YEAR-END donation today.Pay it forward so that other students can benefit. CLICK HERE.

Rick Steves on Why We Travel

To get you inspired on the impact of our mission, listen to the legendary travel enthusiast Rick Steves. It is worth your time, promise.

Video (YouTube)

Audio or print (New York Times) subscription required

Donors like you helped make it possible for student scholars to travel to Costa Rica in 2024.

Donors like you helped make it possible for student scholars to travel to the Pacific Rim in 2024.

Donors like you helped make it possible for young students to learn via events and excursions.

Donors like you helped make it possible for student scholars to travel to France in 2023.

Donors like you helped make it possible for student scholars to travel to Guatemala in 2023.

Donors like you helped make it possible for student scholars to travel all over our beautiful world since 1997.

If you donated recently, a sincere thank you.

Donate Today

Learn More about the DCIS Foundation

The DCIS Foundation's mission is to advocate for and financially support immersive K-12 student educational travel, whether local, national, or international. We provide funding for focused activities including language learning, academic exchanges and school visits, peer-to-peer and community engagement, host family connections, as well as cultural learning experiences.

Board of Directors:

Dave Smith, President

Stacy Yauk, VP/Secretary

Robert Bresnahan, Treasurer

Matt Harrison, Past President

Brandon Bohn

Brady Efting

Shea Kauffman

Joy Miller Oliver

Dana Novara

Erin Sorce

Julia Spratt

Matt Weimer

Council of Advisors:

Sally Bishop

Christine Ekman

Claudia Morlan

Alumni Leadership Council:

Piper Backburn

Isabella Berggren

Alba-Leea Campos-Castro

Eduardo Chavez

Mackenzie Christman

Ca’la Connors

Eliza Cummings

Emily Frazer-Abel

Malia Josephine

Davina James

Rebecca Lipman

Justice Miles

Brooke Porter

Freya Quist

Balfe Reynoso

Jack Virnich

Sam Wands

Ex-Officio Board (Active):

Dan Lutz, Ph.D., Founder, and Sr. Advisor

Melanie Grant, Founder, and Sr. Advisor

Cara Goman, Past Board President/Advisor

Nina McGibney, Advisor

In Memory & Honor - Board Member:

Dennis Gallagher

Executive Director | CEO:

Theresa Meier Conley, Ph.D.

Share This Email