Dr. Claudia Gonzalez-Vallejo
In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, we are featuring Dr. Claudia Gonzalez-Vallejo ('87), a former International House Program student who is now a Professor of Psychology at Ohio University. She is a Jefferson Science Fellow, awarded by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine in 2019. She has served as Program Director of the Decision, Risk, and Management Sciences Program at the Directorate of Behavioral, Social, and Economic Sciences at the National Science Foundation since 2020.
Q: How and why did you choose to attend Jax State?
A: I received an International House Program (IHP) Scholarship, which was an amazing opportunity that covered two full years of tuition and expenses. It was a great opportunity for expanding my desire to learn English and be immersed in a cultural program while sharing about Chile and learning about other countries and the USA.
Q: Clearly, your time at Jax State was important to you. What do you think makes Jax State unique?
A: Jax State was my home away from home. In particular, the IHP is one-of-a-kind. My life changed forever there when I met my husband, Chris DeMel, a student from Sri Lanka who graduated with a business degree and got his MBA from Jax State.
Jax State's IHP is a unique cultural exchange program that allows students to advance their careers in science, education, humanities, etc. while promoting cultural understanding. In addition, professors were the kind who made you feel part of their lives, as was the case with professors such as the Lovetts, Dr. Gardner in psychology, and Drs. Dempsey and Smith in math. The care and attention given by these professors to their students' well-being and intellectual journeys was precious!
Q: What is your favorite memory or experience from your time on campus?
A: All my days at IHP were precious! The UN Tea Day, the formal IHP dinners, the trips to speak at Rotary, Women of Alabama clubs and the many other community organizations all left lasting impressions.
Q: What groups, clubs and organizations were you involved in during your time on campus?
A: I was a member of the student government association and later a founding member of an international students club that included foreign students outside of IHP.
Q: How did Jax State prepare you for the future?
A: My majors, mathematics and psychology, were rigorous areas of study. In addition, the community engagements and cultural events I participated in through IHP prepared me holistically and enhanced my communication skills. This combination of skills prepared me well to take on new challenges in graduate school and jobs.
Q: What advice would you like to offer for future students?
A: Expand your horizons. I say this as someone who loves and values STEM education but also enjoys playing guitar and singing, loves drawing and painting (I had electives at JSU in art,) and is passionate about international relations and the role diplomacy plays in people's lives. Cultural understanding is key to a better world for all of us, so I encourage students to take classes in geography, languages, and arts and visit the IHP! In practical terms, many jobs want people who are experts in their specific areas of study, but companies and organizations also want individuals with intellectual curiosity and who are always ready to learn new things. Take advantage of everything Jax State has to offer.