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Martha: I'm an International Affairs / Economics double major. I was born in Los Angeles, California but my country of origin and roots descended from Eritrea. The philosophy I hold dearly is that if you do not know where you come from, how will you know where you're going? For as an individual of a globalized world today, it is not optional, but rather crucial to know culture, origin and history of the past in order for the possibility of progress to transpire. I am currently in the McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program in collaboration with faculty mentor David Brown pursuing economic research in the relation of war to migrant remittances, specifically in the Horn of Africa. I will be traveling to Eritrea this summer, utilizing the data I receive in order to fulfill my McNair research project. When I am not learning in the classroom or doing research I enjoy reading novels, spending time with family and friends, playing soccer, volunteering, and learning about new cultures. I am currently a CU Spanish volunteer at University Hill Elementary School's first grade class in order to assist with children's reading and mathematics skills while also improving my Spanish speaking ability. I hope to do study abroad in the spring semester of the 2012-2013 in order to satisfy a desire for cultural immersion and to better understand issues facing the Latin/South American region.
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Sandy: I am a junior majoring in Integrated Physiology. I was born in Vietnam but have lived in Colorado almost my whole life. I love working with kids and would love to work with them when I'm older as a Physician Assistant. In my free time I like to relax and spend time with friends and family. My dream is to travel the world and live in different places. My paper for my SASC writing class, Multicultural Topics, was accepted for presentation at the Program for Writing and Rhetoric's 3rd Annual Diversity Conference. |
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Federico: I am originally from Guanajuato, Mexico. I grew up in a tiny pueblo with maybe 80 people. I am studying Mathematics, Education and Spanish. I won a $20,000 Noyce Scholarship, which goes to math and science students who want to become teachers. I am soon to be student teaching in the Denver metro area. I am a 3rd year student, but before I decided to come to CU I was undecided on what to do with my life. I thought about being a first generation student, about being a Mexican-American, that English was my second language, and other things that if I keep going down the list one will never finish. My family is my biggest support because they know I have the potential to be successful. I love to meet new people so if you want to hang out and get advice from me I will be more than happy to do so. One piece of advice to everyone out there: dreams do come true. Like my mom would say, "Un dia mijo" (one day son). |
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Toniya: As a native Coloradoan, I could not wait to go to college out of state. I attended Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, AL. There I studied architecture in their 5 year accredited program, a dream come true. I was highly involved in college life, singing in the renowned Golden Voices Choir and playing on the University Tennis Team. Up to that date it was the greatest time of my life. This was also when I started seeking to know God on a deeper level. Little did I know, this seeking would take me places I had never imagined. One of those places was out of architecture school and back home to Denver, Colorado! There I attended the Metropolitan State College of Denver (Metro) and Emily Griffith Opportunity School. Another place this seeking brought me was into a fully premeditated and wonderful relationship with God, as a disciple of Jesus. But once again in pursuit of an architecture degree, I moved south. It was in Atlanta, Georgia that I met my now husband, Michel, but it would take another dramatic move back to Colorado before I would finally secure that degree that I started so long ago (13 years to be exact). Although I have navigated a non-traditional route to my bachelors degree, I have tried to see the positive influence that some of my other experiences have played in helping me reach this goal. Because of my uncanny relationship with the West and the South, it should not surprise you that I am once again headed South, to Atlanta, to live and work. As a part of the Teach for America 2011 Corps, I will be striving to close the achievement gap in this country. Teaching secondary mathematics to children in an underserved community, and I think I am in for the experience of a lifetime. |
