Maria Moreno Major: Anthropology Minor: Concentration in Latino Studies Year of graduation: 2006

Where do you live and work?

I reside in Boston and I’m working at UMass Boston, for the Institute for Learning and Teaching, a job that I started a couple of months before graduating. I work a lot with the TAG and ALERTA programs, pre-collegiate mentoring programs for hundreds of local Latino and other inner-city youth, that bring young people to campus during the year and in summer for classes and other educational and social activities. Working at this institute has provided me with the opportunity of giving back to my community what I have learned. I am not only fulfilling my duties as Office Manager but I also serve as a Mentor for High School students that attend our programs and also help organize and coordinate projects geared to the enrichment of minority students who are here in Boston.

What are some events, courses or people that stand out from your time as a student at UMass Boston?

During my years at UMass Boston many events stand out, especially being involved in various organizations on campus, such as the Student Senate, Casa Latina, and the Latino Leadership Opportunity Program. These all gave me the opportunity to take full advantage of what UMass has to offer -- a great quality, social and academic education.

Studying Anthropology has been the best decision I’ve made in my life. I have gained a complete framework of what an undergraduate education is designed to do; its density and broad perspective has given me the opportunity to view life from a different perspective not only academically but personally as well. Its faculty offered great support and guidance, and I would really encourage anyone at UMB to at least experience this program once through one of its classes, and if you do I guarantee it will change your life.