Executive Assistant
In 2005, Mariel earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Florida International University with a Certificate in Japanese Studies. Although a native to the beautiful island of Puerto Rico, she has spend most of her life in Miami, FL. She started as a counselor and then taught English as a second language in Kyoto, Japan for one year.
In 2010, she moved to Arkansas and has been working for the state in various administrative support roles, starting at Arkansas Public Employee Retirement System (APERS). In 2013, she began her UAMS career as an Administrative Analyst in the College of Pharmacy’s Pharmaceutical Evaluation and Policy Department. She then accepted a position as a Department Business Coordinator, supporting the the College of Pharmacy’s Alumni & Development Department. That position merged under Institutional Advancement, where she joined Foundation Administration in April 2015. Mariel then started working as a Development Associate, wich transitioned from focusing on WPRCI Cancer Initiatives to Central Advancement.
Currently, she is excited to be the new Executive Assistant to the Division for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. She hopes to use her experiences with diverse backgrounds and travels to increase cultural humility and awareness.
Out of the office, she has a passion for nature and animals. She’s fulfilled that through volunteer work at Friends of the Animal Village, Little Rock Zoo, and Raptor Rehab of Central Arkansas (RRCA). Other hobbies include: Bird watching, crafts, crystal digging, trails, and exploring the beautiful land of Arkansas.
Strength Finders: 1 Context 2 Individualization 3 Connectedness 4 Empathy 5 Discipline
- “Only from the heart can you touch the sky”.—Rumi
- How sad it is that we give up on people who are just like us. —Fred Rogers
- The goal of life is to make your heartbeat match the beat of the universe, to match your nature with Nature.” — Joseph Campbell