Maribel Magallanes will be stepping down from her role as Director of Student Leadership and Intercultural Programs in the Office of Intercultural Programs (OIP). Her last day is Nov. 2.
While the OIP carefully considers a long-term solution, Nate Chu temporarily fills Magallanes' role with administrative support from part-time worker Sierra Twig.
Magallanes has served at Taylor for approximately six years and said her time with the university was life-giving and rich. Her job included working with minority students and providing cultural programs for campus. Magallanes prized this opportunity to form relationships with OIP students.
She stressed the life-giving qualities of watching students transform through the joys, pain and tears of life. Magallanes said she will miss walking alongside her students.
When her time at Taylor officially comes to an end, she hopes to still be present for her students since she lives nearby, she said.
“Sometimes students just need to step away from campus and have a home-cooked meal with a family, and I hope that my family can continue to be that for students,” Magallanes said.
She will be working off campus until her last day.
While Magallanes is unsure what the specifics of her future entail, she said she is full of peace and joy from God.
“I am looking forward to having more time with my kids,” Magallanes said. "Hearing my daughter tell me, ‘Mommy, you're gonna get to spend more time with us; you'll actually be able to go with us to places now.’ That really makes me excited.”
Nate Chu, director of international student programs, has started to fill the role.
Magallanes is confident in Chu’s success, she said. The two have worked together for over three years.
“I think he has the ability to carry a lot on his shoulders and is able to do that well in a professional way,” Magallanes said.
Chu is continuing the OIP’s vision to be a refuge for minority students and a resource to celebrate culture. He shares the OIP’s vision to expand and integrate international presence at Taylor, he said.
The director of international student programs envisions a study body with 25-30 percent diverse students. The OIP hopes to increase Taylor’s global presence and connections, he said.
Chu said he will miss Magallanes and is thankful for her work. He hopes others appreciate her dedication, he said.
“The most important thing for people to know about Maribel is how deeply she cared for and loved the students here and that she did incredible work in supporting them and in promoting the different cultures that they came from,” he said.
The OIP also recruited Sierra Twig, 2023 Taylor graduate, as part-time administrative support. Twig will be on campus Fridays, working remotely a few days throughout the week. Chu said Twig’s role will aid the OIP as they transition.
“We’re using these next couple months to really evaluate,” Chu said. "What might be the best model? How do we best meet both the needs of students, their development, their transition, their adjustments but also the university?"
As they transition, the OIP leadership will prioritize transparency.
They also emphasize listening as their students adjust to the development. Three meetings took place allowing the OIP students to voice their thoughts on the leadership transition.
“Mari has been a mentor, a friend and a mother,” senior Brenda Antigua, youth ministry major, said. “She always encouraged me and reminded me of the gifts that the Lord has put in my life and helped me to put myself in situations where I'm gonna be able to grow as a leader, grow as a person, and grow in my abilities.”
While Antigua said she misses Magallanes, she’s happy for her. Magallanes may not work on campus, but she will forever remain a friend, mentor and trustworthy voice pointing out God’s faithfulness in her life, Antigua said.
Junior Samuel Jones, majoring in global studies, agreed.
“I would just say that I cannot express my gratitude and words for who she is and how she has walked alongside not only me but many other Taylor students throughout her team with patience and kindness,” Jones said. “She went above and beyond, not only in a work way but also in a relational way.”
