ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Mario Amaya
What is your current occupation?
I currently work as the Coordinator of Study Abroad at GVSU’s Barbara and
Stuart Padnos International Center. Before this, I served in the U.S. Peace
Corps as a TEFL volunteer in a rural community in Rwanda (East Africa).
What city do you currently reside in?
I currently live in my hometown of Grand Rapids, MI.
What was your major while at GVSU?
I consider myself very fortunate to have been part of the Education Support
Program (ESP) from 2010 through 2013 as an undergraduate student! I
graduated from GVSU with a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations.
Did you receive any Scholarships while at GVSU?
Some of my accomplishments at GVSU include being part of the Frederik
Meijer Honors College, where I completed a senior project that was
nominated for “Outstanding Senior Thesis.” As part of my study abroad
experiences, I was awarded the Angela Andrews Ryan Perugia Sister Cities
Scholarship, the Mark A. & Elizabeth C. Murray International Scholarship, and the Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship. I
was also inducted into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi.
Did you study abroad while at GVSU?
In my freshman and sophomore years, I was involved in Il Geranio, the Italian club, as a member and later the president.
Later, in my junior year, I found a home at the Padnos International Center and was part of the GVSU Study Abroad
Alumni Association. My study abroad experiences were some of the most formative parts of my college experience! I
studied in Italy through a 7-month partnership program, in Jordan through a month-long faculty-led program, and in
Kenya through a 4-month non-GVSU program.
What is your favorite ESP/TRiO memory?
It’s difficult to isolate some of my favorite memories about ESP. However, I absolutely loved my meetings with Vicki
Powers and Marnie Parris-Bingle, my awesome mentors at ESP! I also fondly remember traveling to Kalamazoo with
Marnie for a scholarship ceremony.
In what ways do you feel ESP/TRiO SSS helped you as a student? As a professional?
The support I received from my ESP mentors really helped give me the confidence I needed to succeed at GVSU. They
were a tremendous resource for staying motivated and keeping my vision and goals in laser-focus. I’m also profoundly
grateful to Melissa Selby-Theut, who directed ESP at the time and later worked with me as the project advisor for my
honors senior project.
Can you give some advice to current TRiO SSS students?
I would advise current TRiO SSS students to take full advantage of the opportunities and resources at their disposal
through TRiO. As Cesar Chavez famously stated, “You are never strong enough that you don’t need help.” Humbling
yourself by accepting help from and serving others is an important part of becoming a professional of integrity.
If you could give advice to Administrators on supporting TRiO programs, what would that advice be?
To the GVSU community (and its administrators in particular): I hope we never lose sight of how critical student support
services are for the success of disadvantaged student populations and that we remember to celebrate the staff members
who take active roles in ensuring our students’ successes.
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