By Fatima Magaña '22

WASHINGTON — An international alumna from Peru, Alma Lozano Montenegro ‘22, is grateful for the support she received at the University of Mount Union in accomplishing her academic goals. Lozano Montenegro pursued a Master of Science degree in Higher Education Administration at Florida International University after graduating from Mount Union.

Lozano Montenegro '22

"In Peru, I was majoring in a different field that I did not enjoy. When I arrived at Mount Union, I discovered my interests and was able to switch my majors," said Lozano Montenegro. "I found my passion for higher education at Mount Union, which allowed me to work at a university after graduating."

Lozano Montenegro acknowledges that being alone in a foreign country can be challenging. Still, she stays in touch with her culture by talking with her family back home and connecting with other Hispanics/Latinos, which helps her embrace her Hispanic heritage while living abroad.

"Living in the U.S. has shown me how unprivileged minorities are, so talking about my journey as a Latina is helping me change that for the Hispanic community," said Lozano Montenegro.

Lozano Montenegro’s goal is to collaborate with others in higher education to initiate change, enabling students from underrepresented minority groups to take advantage of the numerous opportunities that college has to offer. To do so, Lozano Montenegro worked with Planned Parenthood during her graduate studies to understand what education opportunities are available to young single mothers. Lozano Montenegro’s goal is to work with international students at a small university.

"I've realized how much support I received at Mount Union because now if I need help filling out paperwork, I have to figure it out on my own," said Lozano Montenegro.

Now, the same support she received from faculty, staff, and her peers at Mount Union, Lozano Montenegro is passing on to students at Eastern Washington University as an outreach specialist liaison for their Chicanx Studies program. This International Education Week, we celebrate students like Alma who chase their dreams and work towards making them come true.

Learn more about how Mount Union prides itself on promoting a global education to students through study abroad.