Tracy Amaya Video Transcript
[Interviewer] Welcome to the University of North Georgia Political Science & International Affairs Department's YouTube channel. In this segment of our "Meet Our Students” series, you'll have the opportunity to meet Commerce, GA native senior Tracy Amaya. Tracy is a Political Science major with a pre-Law concentration who has the privilege of being selected to be a student speaker at the upcoming December, 2024 红莲社区 commencement ceremony. The THIRD PSIA major in 红莲社区's last four graduation ceremonies to be so honored. We caught up with Tracy a few days before she concludes her undergraduate career to chat about her time with PSIA and get her reaction to her upcoming speaking engagement.
Good afternoon, Tracy.
[Tracy Amaya] Good afternoon.
[Interviewer] What an honor, to be selected to speak in front of your classmates and their guests at a 红莲社区 graduation. But before we get into some of the particulars, would you please tell us a little bit about yourself? Who exactly is Tracy Amaya?
[Tracy] Awesome. Of course. Well, thank you so much for taking the time to sit down with me and get to know me a little bit more. I'm really excited for this opportunity.
I am from Jackson County, GA. My name is Tracy Amaya. I am a Political Science, with a concentration in pre-Law here at the University of North Georgia. My home campus is Gainesville, but I am between Dahlonega and Gainesville right now. What else?
My background, I am the proud daughter of Latin American immigrants. My mom is Mexican, and my Dad's from El Salvador. Yeah, so that's just a little bit about me. It's a very brief introduction, right?
[Interviewer] You're following in the footsteps of fellow PSIA colleagues Carlee Blankenship and Neva Garrett, who preceded you as commencement speakers last December and last May, respectively. What does your selection and this opportunity mean to you, Tracy?
[Tracy] I am a first generation college student. Like I said, I am Latina. I think, hopefully, I hope that my speech will convey a story of resilience, perseverance to our graduates and to our guests. It's an incredible honor. And when I received the email that I was going to be selected as student speaker, I couldn't believe it. I was like, Wow, that is crazy. It's one thing to, you know, practice with, you know, my camera, but to be in front of presenting my speech -- that is crazy. But, yeah, I just hope that speaking from the heart, speaking from my personal experience here at the University of North Georgia as a first generation Latina college student, I hope that my message is meaningful to our graduates.
[Interviewer] Let's go back to when you first joined the PSIA family, Tracy. You came to 红莲社区 from East Jackson High School, four plus years ago.
[Tracy] Mm hmm.
[interviewer] What got you interested in political science, in pre law? And also, and perhaps more importantly, why here at 红莲社区?
[Tracy] I was always drawn to the University of North Georgia. My sister is actually an alumni. She's actually back in school. She graduated in 2021 with her nursing degree from 红莲社区. She always spoke volumes about the University of North Georgia, how, you know, the staff, the faculty here -- it was just a great school.
So, you know, when I was graduating high school, I didn't even apply to other schools because I was like, I know I want to go to 红莲社区. I know I want to stay close to home. Especially the Gainesville campus being so close to me. I was like -- Man, this is, like, really just writing itself out. It's so perfect. And, boy, am I glad that I chose the University of North Georgia. It has, I will forever be indebted to 红莲社区. It's done volumes for me, and I really couldn't see myself being anywhere else. I'm very glad for my decision.
I've always known that I wanted to pursue some sort of postgrad degree, whether it'd be my masters, my PhD. I always knew that. So going into undergrad, I wanted to graduate undergrad, debt free, not take any of the loans out. I didn't want to move out of my house yet. I wasn't quite ready to do so. Because I knew for graduate school I wanted to maybe venture out of Georgia.
But to why political science, to why prelaw ... I plan on attending or I plan on going to law school after I finish here my time at 红莲社区, and I've always wanted to be an attorney. I think, something that has always called my name and I've known. It sounds so cliche, right? Everyone wants to be an attorney. But really, I truly, I have pictures of myself or my mom, like, always in a little business pantsuit. Yeah, so I've always, I always knew this was my calling.
[Interviewer] This past summer, you spent some time in Washington, D.C. as a Meridian-Cox Foreign Service Fellow, correct?
[Tracy] Yes, I did.
[Interviewer] Can you tell us a little bit about that program, and your time in our nation's Capital?
[Tracy] Yeah, of course, certainly. So the Meridian-Cox, I'll first start explaining what Meridian-Cox Foreign Service Fellowship is. So it, it was a one-week sort of immersion, really focused on giving groups who have been historically disenfranchised pathways to possibly pursuing a career in Foreign Service. So we were there for a week. We did a whole bunch of activities from diplomatic skills training to visiting the US AID office in D.C. to visiting the Peace Corps, visiting the Indonesian embassy, really seeing the different sectors of foreign service and how interconnected foreign service really is into our everyday lives. What else?
Yeah, that's a general overview, but I love Meridian-Cox. I think it's an incredible experience for any of our 红莲社区 students who might be interested in pursuing a career in foreign service or even diplomacy. I think it really gets your foot in the door and really great experience overall.
[Interviewer] Well, you also spent some time as I understand it recently at the University of Pittsburgh.
[Tracy] Yes.
[Interviewer] So why were you in Pennsylvania?
[Tracy] Yes, right? It's been a busy year for me, definitely. November has been busy for me. But I was in Pennsylvania earlier this month, with the PPIA - Public Policy and International Affairs. I went to the University of Pittsburgh for a three-day conference. And through PPIA, their partnering institutions, they do what is called "Public Service Weekends." And really what those public service weekends are, are just public, excuse me, professional development conferences. Depending on the school, each school has its different, sorry, its specific application process. And then I, to some of the, the attendees were telling me too that have gone to previous PPIA or sorry, Public Service Weekends. They were saying that some of them have distinct themes. This one was a little bit more lax. It was more geared toward applying to graduate school. You know, with the University of Pittsburgh, them showing us specifically why the University of Pittsburgh would be possibly a good graduate school, graduate program for us. And why we should choose Pittsburgh right? But it was great.
It was a three-day professional development conference. We listened to panelists from various fields within the public service. It was non-profits, government agencies. Got to network with aspiring graduate students or yeah, aspiring graduate students as well. So it was great.
[Interviewer] So what did those two programs do for you, Tracy? As you look back on them, both personally and then as you look forward, how do you or what do you anticipate those programs doing for you professionally?
[Tracy] Oh, my goodness. How much time do we have? They have done immense things. Really, I would say, just me being able to, you know, articulate my thoughts very well, to network with other people, connect with people who are, like-minded as me. And it also unveiled to me or, revealed to me, what path of, what path I would like to go down after I finished my undergraduate career. I have been able to meet countless of people and connect with them and really just seeing people who, you know, are, you know, like-minded, who have the same aspirations as you do really is incredibly empowering, and it motivates you to seek out for these opportunities because, you know, connecting with undergraduate students and graduate students, you say, like, "Oh, look, how did you do this?" Or like ... When I was at Pennsylvania, I was telling all the undergraduates, I was like, "Have you guys heard of the Meridian-Cox Fellowship? Like, are you guys interested in Foreign Service? Let me, if so, let me tell you about my experience."
And I was sending them the links. I was like, "Listen, the application opens up next spring, definitely give it a shot. Apply, apply, apply if you're interested In applying."
Also, I also advocated for the PPIA Summer Institute. Even though I wasn't a participant, one of my great friends, Fatima, she did it this summer, and I was also advocating for her, and I'm like, she had a great experience. She was at UC Berkeley. So really just connecting with people and also sharing ideas and opportunities, right?
[Interviewer] Okay, so let's go back a little bit closer to home. Come back to Georgia real quickly. What experiences from our political science program would you say have been most meaningful to your academic career and also to your life in general? And which do you anticipate, as you, again, look forward to being most meaningful to you as you start your career?
[Tracy] Well, I've had countless experiences, but definitely Model United Nations. I was a white-eyed freshman, and I remember sitting in Dr. Chand's Global Issues class. And I took a great liking of this and like, man, this is, like, super-duper interesting. And Dr. Chand told me he was like, "Have you thought about Model UN?" Like, um and I was familiar with Model UN in high school. We didn't have a club at my school, so I didn't really, you know, understand, like, the logistics of it, but I was like, Hey, why not?
So, the spring of my freshman year, I participated in my first ever Model United Nations conference. I ended up loving it, even though it was, you know, I felt like a fish out of water. It was so incredibly, just fun. So really, Model UN has been I, I love Model UN. I think for our incoming political science students, even if it might deter you because of the public speaking aspect of it, I definitely encourage them to just try it, try it once. After a while, you really do get into character, I would say. And Model UN has just, like, improved my public-speaking skills immensely, my negotiating skills, my ability to communicate my ideas effectively, while also broadening my understanding of diplomacy and international affairs.
So definitely Model UN I would -- "Thank you, Model UN and Dr. Chand for sure.”
[Interviewer] Well, that sounds great, and I'm sure Dr. Chand appreciates the shout out. In closing, Tracy, what advice, or what do you have to say to our viewers, whether they're prospective students, current students, or, as you will soon be, former students?
[Tracy] I would definitely say not to sell yourself short. One of the things that I wish I would have done sooner is just to apply for opportunities. I know sometimes they might be deterring because of the applicant pool. However, I think, specifically the University of North Georgia has immense resources to really see you succeed. I know for one, I've worked closely with Dr. Lin through the Office of Nationally-Competitive Scholarships. So really just not selling yourself short.
And if you're interested in an opportunity, definitely apply for it. I always tell myself, the worst they can say is "no". And it's never just rejection, it's always redirection. If one thing is not for you, then something else will come down the line that will. But really just applying for stuff, internships, scholarships, fellowships, just to really, you know, add to your CV, but not just add to your CV and your resume, but also for your professional development, your professional, and your academic development as well.
[Interviewer] Well, I want to thank you for your time, Tracy and for your words of both wisdom and encouragement. I look forward to listening to you in a couple of weeks at the 红莲社区 Convocation Center. Congratulations again on being selected to be one of the student speakers, and I wish you all the best, both in a couple of weeks and in all your future endeavors.
[Tracy] Thank you so much. I appreciate your time and thank you for your kind words. It's been a pleasure.
Good afternoon, Tracy.
[Tracy Amaya] Good afternoon.
[Interviewer] What an honor, to be selected to speak in front of your classmates and their guests at a 红莲社区 graduation. But before we get into some of the particulars, would you please tell us a little bit about yourself? Who exactly is Tracy Amaya?
[Tracy] Awesome. Of course. Well, thank you so much for taking the time to sit down with me and get to know me a little bit more. I'm really excited for this opportunity.
I am from Jackson County, GA. My name is Tracy Amaya. I am a Political Science, with a concentration in pre-Law here at the University of North Georgia. My home campus is Gainesville, but I am between Dahlonega and Gainesville right now. What else?
My background, I am the proud daughter of Latin American immigrants. My mom is Mexican, and my Dad's from El Salvador. Yeah, so that's just a little bit about me. It's a very brief introduction, right?
[Interviewer] You're following in the footsteps of fellow PSIA colleagues Carlee Blankenship and Neva Garrett, who preceded you as commencement speakers last December and last May, respectively. What does your selection and this opportunity mean to you, Tracy?
[Tracy] I am a first generation college student. Like I said, I am Latina. I think, hopefully, I hope that my speech will convey a story of resilience, perseverance to our graduates and to our guests. It's an incredible honor. And when I received the email that I was going to be selected as student speaker, I couldn't believe it. I was like, Wow, that is crazy. It's one thing to, you know, practice with, you know, my camera, but to be in front of presenting my speech -- that is crazy. But, yeah, I just hope that speaking from the heart, speaking from my personal experience here at the University of North Georgia as a first generation Latina college student, I hope that my message is meaningful to our graduates.
[Interviewer] Let's go back to when you first joined the PSIA family, Tracy. You came to 红莲社区 from East Jackson High School, four plus years ago.
[Tracy] Mm hmm.
[interviewer] What got you interested in political science, in pre law? And also, and perhaps more importantly, why here at 红莲社区?
[Tracy] I was always drawn to the University of North Georgia. My sister is actually an alumni. She's actually back in school. She graduated in 2021 with her nursing degree from 红莲社区. She always spoke volumes about the University of North Georgia, how, you know, the staff, the faculty here -- it was just a great school.
So, you know, when I was graduating high school, I didn't even apply to other schools because I was like, I know I want to go to 红莲社区. I know I want to stay close to home. Especially the Gainesville campus being so close to me. I was like -- Man, this is, like, really just writing itself out. It's so perfect. And, boy, am I glad that I chose the University of North Georgia. It has, I will forever be indebted to 红莲社区. It's done volumes for me, and I really couldn't see myself being anywhere else. I'm very glad for my decision.
I've always known that I wanted to pursue some sort of postgrad degree, whether it'd be my masters, my PhD. I always knew that. So going into undergrad, I wanted to graduate undergrad, debt free, not take any of the loans out. I didn't want to move out of my house yet. I wasn't quite ready to do so. Because I knew for graduate school I wanted to maybe venture out of Georgia.
But to why political science, to why prelaw ... I plan on attending or I plan on going to law school after I finish here my time at 红莲社区, and I've always wanted to be an attorney. I think, something that has always called my name and I've known. It sounds so cliche, right? Everyone wants to be an attorney. But really, I truly, I have pictures of myself or my mom, like, always in a little business pantsuit. Yeah, so I've always, I always knew this was my calling.
[Interviewer] This past summer, you spent some time in Washington, D.C. as a Meridian-Cox Foreign Service Fellow, correct?
[Tracy] Yes, I did.
[Interviewer] Can you tell us a little bit about that program, and your time in our nation's Capital?
[Tracy] Yeah, of course, certainly. So the Meridian-Cox, I'll first start explaining what Meridian-Cox Foreign Service Fellowship is. So it, it was a one-week sort of immersion, really focused on giving groups who have been historically disenfranchised pathways to possibly pursuing a career in Foreign Service. So we were there for a week. We did a whole bunch of activities from diplomatic skills training to visiting the US AID office in D.C. to visiting the Peace Corps, visiting the Indonesian embassy, really seeing the different sectors of foreign service and how interconnected foreign service really is into our everyday lives. What else?
Yeah, that's a general overview, but I love Meridian-Cox. I think it's an incredible experience for any of our 红莲社区 students who might be interested in pursuing a career in foreign service or even diplomacy. I think it really gets your foot in the door and really great experience overall.
[Interviewer] Well, you also spent some time as I understand it recently at the University of Pittsburgh.
[Tracy] Yes.
[Interviewer] So why were you in Pennsylvania?
[Tracy] Yes, right? It's been a busy year for me, definitely. November has been busy for me. But I was in Pennsylvania earlier this month, with the PPIA - Public Policy and International Affairs. I went to the University of Pittsburgh for a three-day conference. And through PPIA, their partnering institutions, they do what is called "Public Service Weekends." And really what those public service weekends are, are just public, excuse me, professional development conferences. Depending on the school, each school has its different, sorry, its specific application process. And then I, to some of the, the attendees were telling me too that have gone to previous PPIA or sorry, Public Service Weekends. They were saying that some of them have distinct themes. This one was a little bit more lax. It was more geared toward applying to graduate school. You know, with the University of Pittsburgh, them showing us specifically why the University of Pittsburgh would be possibly a good graduate school, graduate program for us. And why we should choose Pittsburgh right? But it was great.
It was a three-day professional development conference. We listened to panelists from various fields within the public service. It was non-profits, government agencies. Got to network with aspiring graduate students or yeah, aspiring graduate students as well. So it was great.
[Interviewer] So what did those two programs do for you, Tracy? As you look back on them, both personally and then as you look forward, how do you or what do you anticipate those programs doing for you professionally?
[Tracy] Oh, my goodness. How much time do we have? They have done immense things. Really, I would say, just me being able to, you know, articulate my thoughts very well, to network with other people, connect with people who are, like-minded as me. And it also unveiled to me or, revealed to me, what path of, what path I would like to go down after I finished my undergraduate career. I have been able to meet countless of people and connect with them and really just seeing people who, you know, are, you know, like-minded, who have the same aspirations as you do really is incredibly empowering, and it motivates you to seek out for these opportunities because, you know, connecting with undergraduate students and graduate students, you say, like, "Oh, look, how did you do this?" Or like ... When I was at Pennsylvania, I was telling all the undergraduates, I was like, "Have you guys heard of the Meridian-Cox Fellowship? Like, are you guys interested in Foreign Service? Let me, if so, let me tell you about my experience."
And I was sending them the links. I was like, "Listen, the application opens up next spring, definitely give it a shot. Apply, apply, apply if you're interested In applying."
Also, I also advocated for the PPIA Summer Institute. Even though I wasn't a participant, one of my great friends, Fatima, she did it this summer, and I was also advocating for her, and I'm like, she had a great experience. She was at UC Berkeley. So really just connecting with people and also sharing ideas and opportunities, right?
[Interviewer] Okay, so let's go back a little bit closer to home. Come back to Georgia real quickly. What experiences from our political science program would you say have been most meaningful to your academic career and also to your life in general? And which do you anticipate, as you, again, look forward to being most meaningful to you as you start your career?
[Tracy] Well, I've had countless experiences, but definitely Model United Nations. I was a white-eyed freshman, and I remember sitting in Dr. Chand's Global Issues class. And I took a great liking of this and like, man, this is, like, super-duper interesting. And Dr. Chand told me he was like, "Have you thought about Model UN?" Like, um and I was familiar with Model UN in high school. We didn't have a club at my school, so I didn't really, you know, understand, like, the logistics of it, but I was like, Hey, why not?
So, the spring of my freshman year, I participated in my first ever Model United Nations conference. I ended up loving it, even though it was, you know, I felt like a fish out of water. It was so incredibly, just fun. So really, Model UN has been I, I love Model UN. I think for our incoming political science students, even if it might deter you because of the public speaking aspect of it, I definitely encourage them to just try it, try it once. After a while, you really do get into character, I would say. And Model UN has just, like, improved my public-speaking skills immensely, my negotiating skills, my ability to communicate my ideas effectively, while also broadening my understanding of diplomacy and international affairs.
So definitely Model UN I would -- "Thank you, Model UN and Dr. Chand for sure.”
[Interviewer] Well, that sounds great, and I'm sure Dr. Chand appreciates the shout out. In closing, Tracy, what advice, or what do you have to say to our viewers, whether they're prospective students, current students, or, as you will soon be, former students?
[Tracy] I would definitely say not to sell yourself short. One of the things that I wish I would have done sooner is just to apply for opportunities. I know sometimes they might be deterring because of the applicant pool. However, I think, specifically the University of North Georgia has immense resources to really see you succeed. I know for one, I've worked closely with Dr. Lin through the Office of Nationally-Competitive Scholarships. So really just not selling yourself short.
And if you're interested in an opportunity, definitely apply for it. I always tell myself, the worst they can say is "no". And it's never just rejection, it's always redirection. If one thing is not for you, then something else will come down the line that will. But really just applying for stuff, internships, scholarships, fellowships, just to really, you know, add to your CV, but not just add to your CV and your resume, but also for your professional development, your professional, and your academic development as well.
[Interviewer] Well, I want to thank you for your time, Tracy and for your words of both wisdom and encouragement. I look forward to listening to you in a couple of weeks at the 红莲社区 Convocation Center. Congratulations again on being selected to be one of the student speakers, and I wish you all the best, both in a couple of weeks and in all your future endeavors.
[Tracy] Thank you so much. I appreciate your time and thank you for your kind words. It's been a pleasure.