Liv Ungurean ’16, a recent public relations graduate, set off for a May cross-cultural trip to Scandinavia immediately after Commencement.
During the trip, she learned about the region’s policies and practices for gender roles, women in the workplace and work-life balance. The advancement of women—and the doors that an education can open for them—is a passionate topic of hers. The youngest of 10, Ungurean has grown up knowing her parents emigrated from Romania decades ago in search of a better life.
“They have seen how hard it is to start from scratch. They value education and opportunity,” said Ungurean.
She also credits her advisor Kate Simcox, associate professor of communication, with helping her learn to respect her roots while looking toward the future as a woman with a career. “In my culture, women aren’t really emphasized as people of high influence,” explained Ungurean. “She has opened my eyes to show me we’re worth a lot more than society
tells us.”
Since graduation, Ungurean has been applying for jobs in her field. “Throughout the courses and the people who have influenced me, even though I don’t know what I’m doing quite yet, God has taken care of me up till now,” she said. “God made a way, he provided. I don’t lack a pinch of faith that he won’t provide for me in the future.”
—Anna Seip