Mariana Cruz-Martinez graduated from the University of Oregon in 2023 with a B.A. in Global Studies (Tourism, Latin American and the Caribbean) and Anthropology (Cultural), in addition to two minors in Spanish and Latinx Studies. She was a Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship recipient and studied abroad in South Korea at Yonsei University in 2022. She also graduated with Dean’s List and Phi Beta Kappa honors. She is currently taking a gap year before applying for graduate school to pursue an M.A. in Education/Student Affairs. She currently works with 1st/2nd graders at an International School as a Teacher Assistant.