Luis Suarez-Isaza

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, May 2006 University of Florida, Gainesville, FL Pursuing certificates in International Relations and Latin American Studies, and a minor in Sociology Financed 100% of educational expenses through scholarships and full time work

WORK EXPERIENCE

Resident Assistant, Housing and Residence Education, University of Florida. August 2004-Present Enforced the University code of conduct in a floor of 53 students, administrative duties, desk duty. Assisted law enforcement officers and paramedics in drug abuse, attempted suicide, and clinical cases.

Orientation Leader, Dean of Students Office, University of Florida. October 2003-October 2004 Served as a role model to 6,700 incoming freshmen and 10,000 parents. Academic advising, presented workshops.

LEADERSHIP (Highlights)

President, Volunteers for International Student Affairs (VISA), Fall 2004-Spring 2005 Allocated $48,000 to 32 cultural student organizations under the VISA umbrella, the largest organization on campus. Planed events for the prestigious VISA International Week and International Month with a budget of $23,000 Directed speaker events, lectures and workshops on racial, ethnic and religious issues such as: “Rwanda: Questioning the Past for Answers to the Future” by Ambassador to Rwanda Zac Nsenga. “The New Age of Racism” by Elaine Brown, “Healthcare for America’s uninsured: A century of Debate” by Dr. Mills and “Towards a united Europe” by Dr. Kreppel.

Executive at Large, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Student Council (CLASSC), Fall 2004-Spring 2005 Served in the curriculum committee to elect the CLAS faculty of the year based on student input. Represented 8 student organizations under the council and assisted them in financial and judicial matters.

Parliamentary, Model United Nations, Fall 2003-Present Founding member, GatorMUN national Model United nations high school conference Assistant Director for Home Government (2003) and Crisis (2004) at GatorMUN. Delegate to France (2004) and Sierra Leone (2003) in DISEC, at NCSC conference, Georgetown University.

President, The German Club, Fall 2003-Spring 2004 Worked hand in hand with faculty and students to organize cultural events relating German-speaking countries United the Russian, Dutch and German club under joint events to reach a wider community and exchange cultures.

President, Sledd Hall, Fall 2003-Spring 2004 Represented the residents of Sledd Hall in the Inter Residence Hall Association Directed events for student awareness such as a workshop on American Sign Language.

Committee Member, Hispanic Student Association, Fall 2003 Served in the PR committee for Hispanic Heritage Month, one of the most renounced nationally.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Peer Mentor, Institute of Hispanic and Latino Cultures, Spring 2003-Present (one student each semester) Mentored Hispanic students to foster a sense of community and to improve minority retention rates. Service Ambassador, Institute of Hispanic and Latino Cultures (IHLC), Spring 2003 Volunteered on a weekly basis at the IHLC in awareness programs for the Hispanic community. Volunteer, VOX: Planned Parenthood, Fall 2003-Present Raised awareness on gender issues and sexual education on campus and in the community. Foreign Language Partner, UF College of Education, Fall 2003 Helped both international and American students to improve their language skills and reduced their culture shock. Translations Translated the Memorandum of Agreement between the University of FL and Instituto de Defensa Legal, Mexico (5 pages from English to Spanish for Ambassador Yett, Dean of the International Center, (October 2004). Translated a Psychology experiment for Dr. Alvarado from German to English (25 pages) (Spring 2004).

LANGUAGES

Fluent in Spanish, German and English. Intermediate French