Paula Ramirez ’25 | Guayaquil, Ecuador
Majors: Computer Science with a concentration in Data Analytics, Global Studies with a concentration in Development Studies, French

Please tell us about yourself.

I am an international student from Ecuador in my senior year majoring in computer science (data analytics), global studies (development studies), and French. I speak English, Spanish, and French. I consider myself a multifaceted and active learner.

Outside of class, I have been involved with the Sustainability Office, the ITS Solution Center, and the Student Government Association. These experiences have allowed me to develop my analytical and creative problem-solving skills while collaborating with dedicated peers. They have been valuable opportunities to apply my skills and continue learning through action.

How did you hear about Concordia and why did you choose to attend college here?

In 2020, while on a gap year, I connected with fellow applicants to Concordia who encouraged me to apply. Upon exploring the options, I discovered that Concordia provided valuable financial aid, including a full scholarship — meeting my primary requirement for pursuing a college education.

What surprised you about Concordia?

Having lived in the country before as a Davis UWC Scholar in New Mexico, I was familiar with how to manage myself in new spaces, which helped me navigate classes and find my social circle. However, the temperatures here were an entirely new experience for me. I even had a couple of close calls with almost getting frostbite!

What do you enjoy about the Fargo-Moorhead community?

The F-M area’s unique position between two states with distinct legislations and cultures has provided me with exposure to a diverse landscape of individuals. I have encountered a varied community with people holding diverse ideologies, values, and backgrounds. Within them, I’ve connected with numerous people who are enthusiastic about teaching, collaborating, and working toward the improvement of Concordia, the local community, and contributing to global betterment

How did you get involved with sustainability initiatives on campus and what have been your roles?

Upon arriving on campus, my objective was to actively engage in sustainability initiatives. I discussed this goal with an Orientation Leader (OL), who directed me to Dr. Ken Foster, a professor and director of community engagement at that time. In our meeting, I learned that the previous environmental student organization had become inactive due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Dr. Foster informed me about another student, David Kelm, who was interested in restarting the group.

Starting the student organization that year presented challenges, notably a significant decline in student engagement and other obstacles. The initiative was postponed until the following year when I took on the role of data and analytics intern in the Sustainability Office. Under this position, I received guidance from the sustainability coordinator, leading to the first re-establishment of the in Fall 2022.

The place on campus that has given me the greatest opportunity to engage with environmental sustainability is the Sustainability Office, through the various positions I have held, and the Student Government Association in the role of Sustainability Advocate when my work schedules were more flexible. In these roles, I have created guides to promote waste reduction at campus events and helped implement them in several student leader training sessions.

Please share more about your interest in data and your analyst projects for campus sustainability.

For me, gaining insights from data is a challenging and sometimes uncertain process. Collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data to ensure a valid final analysis is often more complex than it seems. Many preliminary models reveal no clear patterns, but the process also requires creativity. It involves applying knowledge to explore statistics, visuals, and relationships while determining which tools can uncover deeper insights.

During my time at Concordia, I have aligned both my data analytics coursework and extracurricular activities with my career goals. Starting with a statistics class in my freshman year, I directed my final project toward the college’s sustainability initiatives. In my sophomore year, as a data and analytics intern, I worked with Concordia’s carbon accounting platform, contributing to tracking emissions sources and their reduction on campus. This experience motivated me to dive deeper into greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions data, which I got the opportunity to do in my DATA 200 and DATA 318 classes, where I predicted state’s GHG emissions, crucial for sustainable development and climate change resilience.

Data science emerged as a practical tool for the work I’m passionate about.

How did you decide on your majors?

For the longest time, I was undecided about what to pursue in my professional career. At this point in time, I’m pretty confident I would like to work for an organization with a strong mission to mitigate the worst effects of climate change through emissions reduction and resiliency strategy. I love being in multicultural environments, so ideally this would be for an international organization doing back-end analytical work and informing creative decision-making through collaboration.

I aim for a career in environmental sustainability development, with a focus on climate resiliency in vulnerable communities. Growing up in Ecuador, especially in Guayaquil, exposed me to numerous instances of environmental degradation and ongoing efforts to prevent, mitigate, and remedy further damage and hazards. The awareness of the environment I’m part of has been ingrained in me since a young age. As I matured, my understanding deepened, and I became more attuned to environmental injustice and its reflection of social disparities, aligning closely with my values. Data science emerged as a practical tool for the work I’m passionate about.

Do you have a favorite data analytics course? If so, why is it your favorite?

Yes, my favorite is Intro to Data Analytics with Dr. Julia Walk. The course structure and rhythm were highly practical, providing useful tools applicable across various classes. I would recommend it to anyone.

What are the benefits of taking classes in the Offutt School of Business?

One notable advantage of taking classes in the Offutt School of Business is the consistent and effective communication among professors, administrators, and students. I appreciate the regular emails from both my professors and Offutt School members, providing valuable information about conferences, campus visitors, and various other opportunities available to students.

What is your favorite Concordia tradition?

While I’m not certain if it officially qualifies as a Concordia tradition, I absolutely adore Pi Day on March 14. The fact that the math department distributes pie to all students who show up was so unexpected and goofy. Plus, I love pie.

What is the best part about being a Cobber?

The best part about being a Cobber, for me, is the unique and light-hearted aspect of our college mascot being corn. Whenever I share this fun fact back home, it never fails to bring a smile and a laugh to someone’s face.

What advice would you give to an international student who is considering Concordia?

Giving advice to international students is difficult since our experiences and motivations vary so much. However, one key lesson, especially for those studying abroad, is to know yourself, advocate for yourself, and be mindful of your capacity. Understand what you want to achieve, and practice communicating your needs and preferences to the right people. Mistakes will happen, but representing yourself confidently can make a significant difference in your experience as a minority in a foreign institution.

Adjusting to a new environment and culture comes with many challenges, so extend grace to yourself and be realistic about how much you can balance at a given time. Prioritizing quality over quantity is important, as overextending yourself doesn’t always lead to positive results and, in my experience, doesn’t feel great either.

What are your career goals?

In mapping out my career trajectory, I aspire to pursue a master’s program in geography with a concentration in GIS. My goal is to contribute meaningfully to environmental sustainability by working with nonprofit organizations or consulting firms that assist institutions and other organizations in designing and achieving their greenhouse gas and adaptation goals.

How has Concordia prepared you for life after college?

Concordia has played an important role in preparing me for the journey ahead. Recognizing the significance of data analytics in the modern professional landscape, I have prioritized relevant classes to equip myself with the necessary tools for effective problem-solving, such as the current courses I’m taking on Geographic Information Systems (BIO 360) and Deep Learning (CSC 380).

My global studies major at Concordia has been instrumental in providing a holistic understanding of the most pressing challenges humanity is facing and their interconnectedness with global affairs. This interdisciplinary approach is key to my belief in addressing environmental issues comprehensively. In essence, Concordia has not only equipped me with the technical skills required for my chosen field but has also fostered a global perspective that I believe is essential for navigating the complexities of climate change mitigation on a broader scale.

Is there anything else you would like to share about your Cobber experience?

I highly recommend a semester abroad to any student looking to challenge themselves and deepen their understanding of the world and their place in it. Spending a semester in Tours, France, was incredibly refreshing and gave me the chance to reconnect with who I am outside of Concordia. While spending years on campus focusing on coursework and local internships is valuable, the world is vast and inspiring. I love taking the time to explore it.

During my time in France, my French improved significantly, and I gained the confidence to speak and engage with francophone media. I also built meaningful connections, including with one of my professors who even invited me to her wedding at the end of the semester. I made some great connections during my time there, which reinforced my belief that I want to work in an international setting.

^{Published April 2025}