Thinking globally, acting locally

Mica Magtoto (nutritional science) always wanted to make a positive mark on the world by serving others. But she quickly learned that there are a wealth of different ways an individual can choose to make an impact.

Before she was officially an Iowa State student, Mica served as a George Washington Carver Intern on a project connecting her with a researcher studying eye cancer using a zebrafish model. While at Iowa State was active in student organizations such as Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS), encouraging multicultural students to pursue careers in sciences and supporting her campus community. She's also gave back to the the local community through an AmeriCorps project providing youth education in food culture and nutrition at Ames Boys and Girls Club. And her efforts paid off, earning her a spot in the first class of the Principal Community Scholars program where she may earn scholarship funds for work to organize a community garden.

But Mica's interests aren't confined by oceans.  She also studied agricultural economics in Argentina. And - in an interesting twist - was selected as an intern for a different George Washington Carver program offered by the World Food Prize where she provided nutrition resources  and education to families in Peru.

Whether it is through research, internships, student organizations, volunteerism or scholarships, Mica's experience shows that opportunities to change the world come in many different packages. For more on Mica's adventure, check out her profile in the Growing Leaders issue of STORIES.