Meet Marisol Morales

Marisol Morales is the Director of Civic and Community Engagement at the University of La Verne in Southern California. Ms. Morales, a Chicago native, holds a BA in Latin American/Latino Studies and MA/MS in International Public Service Management both from DePaul University.  She has experience in higher education, community activism and electoral politics.

Q+A

What scares you? 

Being stuck - in a relationship, in a job, in life

What expression or saying do you love? 

The expression that I love the most is in Spanish. It is “no tengo pelo en la lengua”; The literal translation in English is “I don’t have hair on my tongue” and the meaning is really about not holding back your thoughts, perceptions, or opinions in other words saying it how it is. I love it because when you think about the literal image of hair on your tongue it is funny, but what it really is about is the idea of it holding back our voice and that to not have “hair on your tongue” or proclaiming that you do not is at the core about having voice and not letting anything stop you from sharing it. That’s empowering.

Who do you admire? 

My grandmother - for her sacrifices, wisdom, motherly care, and insistence that we have a life different than hers because we have an education and choice.

If we came over for dinner what would you prepare for us? 

If you came over for dinner I would prepare you a traditional Puerto Rican meal with arroz con gandules (rice and beans), chuletas (pork chops), maduros (sweet plantains) and finish the meal with a store bought flan and some good strong Puerto Rican coffee. Sabroso!

A little known fact about yourself? 

I was in a beauty contest when I was in high school.

Who is your favorite character?

Storm from X-Men, a Seriously Badass Woman

If you had to change careers what would you want to do? 

It would be a toss up between elected official and interior designer

What’s a motto you live by?  

“Proceed as if success is inevitable”

Want more? Connect with her on LinkedIn