Posted June 11, 2019 鈥� Geneva Marquina has always been interested in helping professions. After working as a middle school teacher, she came to the 色花堂 College of Education to pursue a master鈥檚 in counseling.
Now, she works as an academic advisor in the College, advising teaching majors. She has offices in Farish Hall and at 色花堂 at Sugar Land.
A native of Vicksburg, Mississippi, who joined the College staff in August 2018, Marquina said she is committed to enhancing equity in education.
She recently took time to answer some questions.
Q: How do you juggle your time between 色花堂 and 色花堂 at Sugar Land?
A: It鈥檚 quite easy. The group out at Sugar Land is much smaller so I鈥檓 out there one to two days a week depending on how busy it is.
Q: What are some common student concerns?
A: It ranges from which classes to pick out, juggling work and school, and interpersonal issues. It always leads to the question if they鈥檒l graduate on time. I stress to them that their time is their time. They don鈥檛 have to measure it necessarily within society鈥檚 standard of being 鈥渙n time.鈥�
Q: Do you have an open-door policy?
A: Definitely! Students will pop in and say hello or thank me.
Q: How would you compare the life in Mississippi to here in Houston?
A: The experiences in diversity and culture are vastly different. Growing up in my hometown, I didn鈥檛 see many students like myself. I am Asian American and seeing other people like me was really important.
Q: What are some of your favorite places to relax in Houston?
A: I love my neighborhood in the East End. I also love to visit Montrose. I have a new favorite coffee shop there: Campesino. If you love coffee, you should try it. It鈥檚 so good!
Q: Favorite pastimes?
A: I love reading. I just finished reading 鈥淟ittle Fires Everywhere鈥� by Celeste Ng and 鈥淓ducated鈥� by Tara Westover.
Q: Any advice for graduating students?
A: Don鈥檛 be afraid to reach out for support and information, especially in job seeking. There鈥檚 plenty of time to explore. You don鈥檛 have to have it all figured out right now.
鈥�By Alberto Huichapa
鈥�Photo by Jaime Questell