Roxana Monroy has done more than excel while at Stillman.  In fact, she has exceeded her own expectations.

Monroy recalled making her decision to join the Stillman family. She was first introduced to Stillman while participating in the Mi Futuro program her sophomore year in high school. Mi Futuro helps Latinos in high school to dream of and achieve a college education. One of the first buildings she toured on her first visit to campus, she came to live in, was Wynn Hall. “The counselors made a difference in my choice to attend Stillman. They were so kind and informative,” said Monroy.

Monroy mentioned having a close relationship with her JROTC teacher, Col. Walker from Austin High School in Decatur, Alabama. With the help of Col. Walker, she was introduced to George Lee, Dean of Admissions. “He probably got tired of all of our phone calls,” said Monroy.  We called Mr. Lee every week until I got notification that I had received a full scholarship to attend Stillman. By maintaining a high level of academic success, Monroy was able to maintain this scholarship throughout her entire matriculation at Stillman.

Monroy explained, “I found myself here at Stillman. I was able to explore my talents through one on one relationships with professors who always made time for all of us.” 

When she reflected on her time at Stillman, Monroy said, “I have made lifetime friends here at Stillman; especially the English department. Students that I entered the program with are my best friends today.”

When asked how she had grown while at Stillman, Monroy said, “I have become more affirmative about how I want to give back to the Hispanic community back home. My work ethic has also improved. I have learned how to plan out my life’s mission.” Consequently, Monroy’s senior thesis was entitled How Aspects of the American Society Changed the Perspective of Hispanic Americans on Domesticity as Seen in “The House on Mango Street” written by Sandra Cisneros.

Monroy was quite involved while at Stillman. Some of these involvements include: organizing the first Stillman International Week, serving as vice president of the Campus Queens Association, being a Stillman Ambassador, having an internship with the Journal of Intercultural Disciplines, serving as Residential Assistant, serving as Secretary for the Stillman Historical Association, being a member of the Christian Student Association (CSA), being a speaker at the National Association of Hispanic American Studies Conference in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, being a member of Sigma Tau Delta English Honor Society, being a speaker at Hispanic Youth Conference, being a member of the Modeling Troupe, and being on the Tigerette Dance Line.

Monroy also received numerous accolades while at Stillman. These honors and awards include: receiving the Presidential Scholar Award, being named the highest-ranking student her freshman year all the way through until her senior year.                                                                                                                            

Monroy noted the highlights of her time at Stillman as helping to organize International Week hosted at Stillman. She worked with professors and staff to organize events that shared international cultures with the local community.

She is also quite proud to have achieved highest-ranking senior status. Monroy stated, “When I got to Stillman, I decided to start from the beginning of my time here and take the opportunity to do better. I made a lot of sacrifices and made it a point to work hard. It has paid off.”