Maria believes in the real power of human potential.

Responsible global citizenship became a guiding principle for Maria after she met Daniel, a “Lost Boy of Sudan" while studying at PSU. Daniel’s story and friendship formed Maria’s conviction to join the conversation about opportunity and achievement gaps worldwide. In pursuit of this value, Maria taught English in Spain and Italy and completed graduate coursework in Public and Corporate Communication at the University of Milan. Prior to jumping the pond, Maria worked as the Donor Relations Coordinator for a 501-(c)(3) non-profit organization, as a literacy interventionist and as a mental health technician.

Maria enjoys practicing her Spanish while salsa dancing and keeps her Italian skills fresh over pasta and pesto. As a learning addict and seeker of ideas, Maria likes to chat about how social media, online learning and education can be tools for opening the “self’ to the “other” in cross-cultural communication.