Lia Matias Matos
Quick Fact
B.A., summa cum laude, Business Administration, Management, 2023
“Being an Alfie scholar means that I have decided that civility is important, needed, and teachable. It means that I am willing to address issues around the world with the open-mindedness, respect, and kindness they deserve. Being an Alfie is an opportunity to grow and foster civility in social issues that need it.”
Service & Work:
Conference Assistant Lead, Seattle University Conference and Event Services
Crew Shift Lead, Seattle University Conference and Event Services
Research Assistant for Seattle University Management Department
Student Representative, President’s Advisory Group, South Puget Sound Community College, October 2020–May 2021
S&A Committee Member, South Puget Sound Community College, January–February 2021
International Peer Mentor, International Student Services, South Puget Sound Community College, August 2020–June 2021
Awards & Honors:
Ignatian Leader
President’s List
Dean’s List
Member, Alpha Sigma Nu Jesuit Honor Society
Member, Tau Sigma National Honor Society
Member, National Honor Society of Leadership and Success
Vice President of Public Relations, Seattle University International Student Association
Global Ambassador, Seattle University International Student Center
Member, Seattle University Undergraduate Leadership Program
Alfie Scholars, Cohort 6, 2021–2023
Academic Achievement Scholarship
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society
President’s List, South Puget Sound Community College
Outstanding Service Award as Peer Mentor, International Student Services, South Puget Sound Community College, 2021
Lia’s Story
My family is born and raised in the Dominican Republic. From the moment I could first think, I knew I wanted to leave my island and see what the world had in store for me. This decision came with its many challenges, but I wouldn’t change anything about it because it has led to me to growth within myself, to be more understanding and aware of the different people around me. This path has led me to be an international student at Seattle University to study Management.
All throughout my life I had planned to study abroad, but only the ones that are financially secure get to achieve this goal in my country. I was determined to find a way either through scholarships or cheaper universities, but it was never enough. I decided to take a path that no one around me was taking, which was go to community college. At first, I thought like many others, that community college did not offer the same opportunities or experiences a four-year university did. One day as I was telling my concerns to one of my friends in the bathroom of my high school, one of my English teachers, Ms. Kristhyna came out of a stall told me that community college is the best decision I could make. It turns out she was right; community college did not offer the same opportunities but better ones for me at that moment. I got to receive more attention from professors in small class scenarios, join 2 clubs, work for international student services and meet amazing fellow international and domestic students, as well as staff and faculty. As started my visa journey for Seattle University I traveled back home and booked the two appointments I needed to renew it. Behind me in the line of my first appointment was Ms. Kristhyna. I got to tell her that I did what she told me, but I don’t think she knows how much it meant to see her that day. To me this was a sign that I was and am heading in the right direction.
While being an international student hasn’t been easy, I would say to someone in high school like me looking to study abroad to prepare for many trials but also prepare for the unique experience to get to know yourself and where you come from. I would also say prepare to meet people that will greatly impact your life and make it better. For those high school and community college students that feel like not putting the effort because it might not work, I would say that though it may feel unreachable, you are only a few steps away from university. Lastly, I advise anyone to always do what feels right in their gut, and if they truly want to attend university there will be a way to achieve that goal.
Goals:
As an international student from the Dominican Republic, I have been exposed to the challenges of unemployment through my family members. I want to create job opportunities in my country so nobody gets to feel like they are not contributing their unique talents to society. By pursuing Management as a major at Seattle University, I can accomplish my goal of helping others by creating opportunities. Through my education at Seattle University, I can learn how to be able to give seats at the table to others who have never had the chance before. I want to join companies with a mission to create growing, innovative and kind work environments and help them accomplish those goals. I also want to be part of organizations that help build career goals and purpose for others. My goal is to open a path where others can feel like they have choices and opportunities.
On Civility:
Civility to me is understanding that everyone has a purpose and that they are valuable and should be treated as such. This means that individuals should be open-minded to understand that we all have different experiences that lead us to thinking differently and yet we all bring important values and opinions to the table. Civility matters because it helps our adversaries and ourselves view that we are all humans, and we should expect and deliver a level of respect and kindness to one another. Fostering civility does not mean being polite so others are polite to you; it means creating a foundation where we are all worthy, where we recognize that we belong to a greater community and where we insert all voices into important conversations.
