soaring
seahawk
While most college students agree that the idea of graduate school can be intimidating, Amanda Gonzalez-Moreno ’09M welcomed the challenge to pursue a master’s degree -- in a foreign country with a different culture, first language and a new editing style. An international student from Guadalajara, Mexico, Gonzalez-Moreno is on her way to earning a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies from UNCW to add to her master’s degree in documentary film.
Gonzalez-Moreno, who studied previously in her home town of Guadalajara, came to the University of North Carolina Wilmington with her husband who is studying marine biology. “We were lucky to find such a great school that offered exemplary programs for both of us,” Amanda has said.
Fluent in both English and Spanish, Gonzalez-Moreno previously worked as a translator and an editor in Mexico. Gonzalez-Moreno hopes to further her education and research skills to better reach others as a writer in the United States. Her writing goals are exactly why she chose to pursue a degree in liberal studies at UNCW. Gonzalez-Moreno knows this degree will help her better understand the work of others in the editorial world, and help her be more successful as a writer and editor.
She is quick to express her gratitude for the opportunity to study at Wilmington: “Without receiving tuition remission and my assistantship, studying at UNCW would not have been possible. I will be forever grateful for this opportunity.”
The first assistantship Amanda received was through the UNCW Center for Multiculturalism & Pre-College Programs. Her current assistantship with the Graduate Student Life Program enables her to mentor graduate students and help plan events to improve their learning experience. Gonzalez-Moreno knows that her current duties as a graduate assistant, which include developing the graduate school newsletter, is a great way to gain practice for future endeavors in journalism. “I want the newsletter to be funny and interesting. My peers are reading it,” she said.
Gonzalez-Moreno’s dedication and tenacity are prevalent not only in her assistantships and studies, but also in her pursuit of her own dreams. “My experience at UNCW helps me find inaugural ways to be a better writer and editor,” she noted.
As an international student, Gonzalez-Moreno is also thankful for the support of the UNCW community. She noted, “It was very scary at first. Even the mundane tasks, like paying taxes and getting a driver’s license were challenging.”
”As for school, I had to relearn how to do research papers and cite sources. But I am very lucky and happy to be here. The support has been tremendous, along with great resources for students.”
Gonzalez-Moreno credits her success to Amy Hector, assistant dean of students, for her help throughout her assistantship, Kimberley Cheatham, director of the Pre-College Program and Herbert Berg, director of Graduate Liberal Studies, for their unwavering support.
Cheatham said the admiration is mutual: “Amanda is a dynamic, multi-talented individual who approaches tasks with zeal, creativity and a genuine desire to positively impact others.” Wherever she travels, and whatever language or medium she uses to communicate, it is clear that Gonzalez-Moreno will inspire others to fearlessly act on their dreams.
