Spotlighted Student: Marina Simon '17

Marina Simon '17 attended K-12 Friends’ Central School, so she is familiar with the Quaker philosophy of education. During her senior year of high school, she participated in an exchange program in Spain and lived in Seville for over a month. While there, she went on excursions to religious sites, and attended cultural and political events.

Attending a small liberal arts college with strong academics but a collaborative rather than competitive atmosphere was essential for Marina. Attending Haverford College fit well with her model for a college, with the added benefit of a Quaker philosophy.

Upon entering college, Marina was interested in chemistry and biology but her trajectory changed after taking Introduction to Economics. With its expansive applications to the world at large, the field changed the framework of her thinking in a new and exciting way. Once she declared a major in economics, Marina also declared a concentration in Latin American, Iberian and Latino Studies, and a minor in Spanish. Courses which she has found to be particularly engaging are The Economics of Globalization and Economic Development, both with Bryn Mawr College Professor Camilo Dominguez, and her Junior Research Seminar on International Trade with Professor Saleha Jilani.

The application of economics in social political contexts intrigues Marina. She has explored the interdisciplinary applications of the field, looking at welfare issues, immigration, developmental policies, equality, and domestic and international trade policies. She would like to further study Cuba and how liberalization of trade would affect the country’s welfare.

Her senior thesis will focus on employment opportunities for Mexican-American immigrants. She is interested in exploring whether discriminatory hiring practices are at play, and whether these effects are more poignant in states which border Mexico than in non-border states. She believes that this issue is salient because of the on-going political and social discourse about immigration and the contentious policies which have been suggested.

Exploring career paths during her summers off from school has been enriching. The summer after her junior year she worked for a Bryn Mawr travel agency, Doorways Villa Vacations, arranging and organizing tours to European countries. Last summer she worked for Connecticut based non-profit American Dream Clean, a non-profit that employs adults who haven’t completed their high school education. The organization also provides tutoring to employee’s children, with the hope of providing them with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate and pursue a college degree. Marina was charged with researching and contacting non-profits that could benefit those in need of finding jobs, and continues to work with the organization as a tutor.

During her junior year, Marina worked for the Uncommon Individual Foundation (UIF), “a mentoring organization that helps dreamers of all ages accomplish their goals and achieve personal success”. She helps with the development of small businesses by assisting with website development, financial analysis, marketing, grant applications, and more.

Marina partnered with her college community as a customs person during her sophomore year, serving as a residential advisor on a freshman dorm floor. During her freshmen year she lent a hand as a committee member on the Joint Student-Administration Alcohol Policy Panel (JSAAPP), and she served on the Parking Committee.