EDUCATION                        University of St. Thomas                                                                        Houston, TX

                                                    B.A. in International Studies, GPA: 3.8                                                      May 2009

                                                    Honors / Spanish Minor / Latin American & Latino Studies Minor

HONORS & AWARDS                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               2009 Student Commencement Speaker – Selected through competitive application process that included speech submission,                                                     delivery to committee, and interview.

                                                    Dr. Robert H. Jackson Leadership Award – Awarded by the North American Educational Initiatives Foundation to an                                                            individual or organization which exemplifies the ideals of education and service.

                                                    Presidential Leadership Award - Awarded annually to one senior or junior who has demonstrated strong leadership and                                                            contributed to the univ. community; Spring 2008.

                                                    Emerging Leader Award - Awarded to freshman or sophomore student who has shown promise as a U.S.T. leader; Spring 2005.

                                                    Sigma Iota Rho - National Honor Society for International Studies.

                                                    Sigma Delta Pi - National Spanish Honor Society.

                                                    Aquinas Honor Society - Awarded to UST graduates who show consistent academic excellence.

 

LEADERSHIP                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Rotary Foundation – District 5890                                                Buenos Aires, Argentina

                                                     Ambassadorial Scholar                                                                                March-Dec. 2010

                                                    - $24,000 scholarship to study abroad for one academic year, serving as cultural ambassador for Houston area to Buenos Aires                                                     district 4890, and giving a total of 30 presentations.

 

                                                    U.S.T. MicroCredit Program                                                            Houston, TX

                                                  Co-founder & President                                                                               Aug. 2008-May 2009

                                                    - Founding board member of student-run registered non-profit for microcredit lending.

                                                    - Established partnerships with various non-profits and facilitated development of internship opportunity in importation of                                                            honey created by loan recipients in Mexico.

                                                    - Participated in week-long Mexico trip that included socio-economic study.

 

                                                    U.S.T. Student Government Association (SGA)                          Houston, TX

                                                    Vice President                                                                                                   Apr. 2007-May 2008

                                                    - Assisted SGA President with planning and execution of weekly Senate meetings.

                                                    - Encouraged and facilitated communication between senators and their constituents.

 

                                                    U.S.T. Residence Life                                                                                Houston, TX

                                                    Resident Assistant                                                                                            Aug. 2007-May 2009

                                                    - Served as one of two RAs in inaugural year of new residence hall for upperclassmen and graduate students, and implemented                                                     new policies to customize the upperclassmen living experience.

 

                                                    U.S.T. Student Organization of Latinos (SOL)                              Houston, TX

                                                    Co-founder & President                                                                                   Feb. 2006-May 2007

                                                    - Received U.S.T. “Outstanding Club or Organization of the Year” in 2007 awards banquet.

 

EXPERIENCE                       
                                                    NLV International - Energy Business Consultants                      Houston, TX

                                                    Intern                                                                                                                    March-June 2009

                                                    - Conducted energy research, particularly renewable with a focus on biofuel production.

 

                                                    Ford CHLI Leadership Program                                                            Washington, D.C.

                                                    Intern                                                                                                                       June-July 2007

                                                    - Met with various congressmen and women, along with other leaders in both the private and public sector, including the IADB,                                                     Univisión, IMF, U.S. Treasury, and various embassies.

                                                    - Worked for non-profits Ford Fund and Hispanic Assoc. on Corporate Responsibility.

 

                                                    US-Brazil Energy Forum                                                                             Houston, TX

                                                     Intern                                                                                                                       Dec. 2006-May 2007

                                                    - Assisted energy businessman in academic and professional research project related to Brazilian Energy Sector, focusing on                                                     the involvement of American energy companies.