Getting to Know You ➡ Maria Zavala

Getting to Know You ➡ Maria Zavala

Maria Zavala is a financial aid coordinator in the Office of Financial Aid.

What do you like about your job?

I work in the Office of Financial Aid, and I’m grateful for the experience of learning about financial aid. We have an amazing team with great leadership. I truly enjoy working with my colleagues; we’ve built a strong team that allows us to help our students effectively. I remember being a student at UIS and struggling to reach someone in the Financial Aid office. Now, I’m in a position to help students and ensure they receive the support they need.

What’s one thing on your bucket list?

In the past few years, I have been visiting national parks. One thing on my bucket list is to visit every single one of the national parks. I have been to five so far.

Have you traveled to any interesting places? Can you tell me about them?

I traveled to Saudi Arabia recently, and it was a wonderful experience. Many things went wrong, but the people were extremely helpful and accommodating. I felt safe as a woman traveling alone; everyone was so kind and giving. It was like nothing I've ever experienced while traveling. One interesting moment occurred while I was in line: there were separate lines for men and women, and I did not realize it until I was in line. A man let me know that the line was not for me, so they moved me to the front of the line.

What’s your favorite season of the year and why?

My favorite season is fall. I love the fall air, the celebrations, and the changing colors of the tree leaves. It is an amazing experience to see the beauty of nature.

Getting to Know You is recurring feature in the Chancellor's Newsletter to highlight our many talented UIS employees.