About Dr. Denise R. Ames
Denise, Shanghai, China
“Wherever you go becomes a part of you somehow” – Anita Desai
Dr. Denise R. Ames’ varied life experiences—teaching, scholarly research, personal experiences, extensive travels, and reflections—have contributed to her balanced views, global perspectives, cultural insights, and holistic approach. She took her bachelor’s degree in history education from Southern Illinois University, and master’s degree and doctorate in history education with a focus in world history from Illinois State University. She is a veteran educator—secondary schools, community college, universities, adult education, and professional development. Her academic subjects include U.S. and world history, geography, global issues, and various global awareness topics.
In 2003, Dr. Ames founded the educational non-profit, Center for Global Awareness and continues to serve as its president. She has presented many classes, workshops, and lectures on various topics locally, nationally, and internationally; has developed numerous educational resources; and has worked on various global educational projects in nine different countries. She has authored eleven books that range from a holistic world history, the global economy, human rights, worldviews, and her latest on global awareness for travelers.
She launched her latest program in 2023: Global Awareness for Travelers (GATE), an informational non-profit organization for culturally-curious travelers. She has integrated two of her passions—travel and global awareness—into her travel service. She currently resides in sunny Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA.
More…Dr. Denise R. Ames
Dr. Denise R. Ames’ varied life experiences—teaching, scholarly research, personal experiences, extensive travels, and reflections—have contributed to her balanced views, global perspectives, cultural insights, and holistic approach. She took her bachelor’s degree in history education from Southern Illinois University, and master’s degree and doctorate in history education with a focus in world history from Illinois State University. She is a veteran educator—secondary schools, community college, universities, adult education, and professional development. Her teaching topics range from academic subjects such as world history, global issues, United States history, Western Civilization, world humanities, cultural studies, and global business issues, to secondary social studies pedagogy and global awareness.
In 2003, Dr. Ames founded the educational non-profit, Center for Global Awareness (CGA) and continues to serve as its president. The purpose of CGA is to infuse a holistic approach and global perspectives into its books and teaching for educators and students grade 9-university. She has presented many classes, workshops, and lectures on various topics locally, nationally, and internationally; has developed numerous educational resources; and has worked on various global educational projects in nine different countries.
Denise at the Gyeongbkgung Palace, Seoul, South Korea
Dr. Ames has created three programs for CGA: Global Awareness for Educators is a program for educators and students grade 9-university; GATHER (Global Awareness Through Engaged Reflection) is a conversation-based study program connecting small groups of concerned and curious lifelong learners where each self-organizing group gathers together to study and talk about pressing global and cultural concerns with the goal of seeing issues from different perspectives; and her latest program, Global Awareness for Travelers (GATE).
She has authored eleven books, ranging from a holistic world history, the global economy, human rights, worldviews, and her latest on global awareness for travelers. The titles include Waves of Global Change: A Holistic World History (two editions), Waves of Global Change: An Educator’s Handbook for Teaching a Holistic World History, The Global Economy: Connecting the Roots of a Holistic System, Connecting the Roots of a Global Economy: A Brief Edition, Financial Literacy: Wall Street and How it Works, Human Rights: Towards a Global Values System, Divided: Five Colliding Worldviews and How to Navigate Them, Five Worldviews: How We See the World (two editions), and Travel with New Eyes: Global Awareness for Travelers. She continues to blog regularly.
Dr. Ames launched her latest program in 2023: Global Awareness for Travelers (GATE), an informational non-profit organization encouraging culturally-curious travelers to practice global awareness for a deep and wide-reaching travel experience. The purpose of GATE is to inspire engaged travelers to heighten senses, broaden perspectives, and enhance relationships for rich and expansive travel experiences. She has integrated two of her passions—travel and global awareness—into her travel organization.
Denise with family in Beirut, Lebanon
World cultures and history have been Dr. Ames’ life-long interest and study. Her extensive travels, personal experiences, reflections, and scholarly research have all contributed to her common-sense approach to the often-overwhelming subjects she teaches.
Along with her personal travels, she has traveled for educational organizations in varying capacities. Her travels have taken her all 50 states in the United States and to over 50 countries: Sweden, Finland, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Denmark, Russia, Germany (2017); Spain, France, Italy, Croatia, Greece, Slovenia, Bosnia, (2016), Mexico, Belize, Nicaragua, Guatemala (2016), Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Qatar (2015), South Korea (2014), Germany (2014), France, Germany (2013), China (2011), Turkey (2011), Iran (2007), Mexico (2007), Singapore, Malaysia (2006), Spain, France, Monaco, Vatican, Italy (2006), Syria, Lebanon (2005), Costa Rica (2005, 2001), United Kingdom (2000), Israel, Palestine, Belgium (1999), Galapagos Islands, Ecuador (1999), St. John’s Island (1998), Russia (1998), Slovenia (1996), British Virgin Islands (1996), Canada (1993), China, Hong Kong (1991), Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, former East Germany (1990), Soviet Union (Russia, Ukraine, Moldova) (1989), Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay (1988), Netherlands, Belgium, Germany (1983). Most of her travel experiences focus on historical, economic and cultural developments in a particular country or region of the United States. Her travels serve as research for her many books, blogs, articles, and resources.
Along with her professional interests and travels, Dr. Ames family includes two adult children, their spouses, three adorable grandchildren, and her partner Jim. She particularly enjoys traveling, hiking, yoga, reading, playing with her grandchildren, writing, and visiting with family and friends. She currently resides near the campus of the University of New Mexico in sunny Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA.
“Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world”
– Gustave Flaubert
Denise in Tortolla, British Virgin Islands