University of St. Thomas

Marta Pereira Vindas, Class of 2005

I am from Costa Rica and I have lived in the United States for five years. I received my Bachelor of Arts degree at UST in 2005 and have continued my studies at the Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity, where I am only one class shy of completing the coursework for a master’s degree in theology.

When I first came to Minnesota in 2002 I knew right away that the University of Saint Thomas was where I wanted to study. My poor English, limited financial means and my challenges as a new wife and mother-to-be did not deter me from enrolling in the Catholic Studies and Theology programs in 2003. With the generous financial help of the Latino Leadership Scholarship and the Aquinas Fellowship, my dream of being a Tommie came true.

Getting this far in my studies has been quite an achievement for me as an international student for whom English is not the first language. In addition to these challenges, I also managed a part-time job, volunteer work and parish work with the Hispanic Ministry, as well as my responsibilities as a wife and mother. My first son was born during my second year of studies, and I was pregnant with my second son during my last semester.

To be an international student, wife and new mother during my undergraduate years presented great challenges. My gratitude goes to those persons in the institution who believed in me and challenged me to achieve. In particular, I am thankful to Dr. William Cavanaugh, who was not only the Latino student advisor but also a mentor during my years of studies, and to Dr. Deborah Organ, who has been an inspiration, supporter, and friend. I also thank all those who understood my particular challenges—the professors who put up with me constantly eating crackers and drinking ginger ale during class because of my morning sickness and those who allowed me to bring my three-week-old baby to class when I did not have childcare. I truly appreciate the welcoming attitude of professors, staff and fellow classmates that made things easier for me.

As a recent immigrant, St. Thomas was the first place where I experienced the new culture I was about to engage. Now I look back fondly at those years and value my experiences as a student and the solid education that I received. I was always challenged to give my very best in everything I did. I also discovered that I was capable of overcoming any obstacles that I encountered on the way and that as a Tommie I would always find the support I needed to do so. I found people who valued what I had to bring as a Hispanic immigrant woman and who helped me grow in leadership to give back to the community.

If I had a wish for future women at UST it would be to appreciate the opportunity Saint Thomas offers to grow not only academically but also integrally, recognizing all the potential and talent that one possesses as a woman. At Saint Thomas I discovered that, more than a profession, my career is a vocation, a call to fulfill what God calls me to be, a way of identifying my gifts and how to employ them in service to others. I wish that every woman at Saint Thomas could discover just that—that she is unique and that she has much to give to society and the world.