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Spotlights » Liz Tompkins,
By the time she graduated from Grand Valley with a degree in social work, Liz Tompkins, 10 had mentored international students with Best Buddies, spent one year as a member of the Student Environmental Coalition, and had studied abroad, twice. Two years later and almost 9,000 feet higher in altitude, she is working with the Peace Corps in Carhuaz, Ancash, Peru.
Located between the Black and the White Mountain ranges in the Andes, Carhuaz has a population of only 6,000 five times as many as the population of her hometown of Maple City, Michigan. Her days begin at 6:30 a.m. when she wakes up for breakfast with her host family: Mañuka, a retired nurse; Veronica, a kindergarten teacher; and Juan Pablo, her 7-year-old host nephew. After breakfast, its off to a full day of meetings, research, and curriculum building. Currently, Tompkins is responsible for creating a curriculum for a 5-week vocational orientation class for high school seniors. This curriculum needs to prepare students for an upcoming vocational fair and must be presented to and approved by the schools directors before it is implemented.
In addition, Tompkins also tutors her host nephew, and volunteers with the local volleyball team where she helps coordinate events with the municipal youth director. While she jokes that her greatest accomplishment of the day is avoiding culture missteps, Tompkins said she was well-prepared for this adventure and has her Grand Valley mentors to thank.
"I feel well-rounded coming out of Grand Valley, " she said. " I have never doubted my own abilities in the field and have relied on my contacts and mentors at Grand Valley for advice and support. "
Her passion for encouraging others to succeed began early in life. She has always been motivated by bringing out the potential in others and recognizing the potential that others see in her. Before joining the Peace Corps, Tompkins worked for Eagle Village, a residential addiction? Treatment center near Big Rapids. For two years, she counseled abused and neglected teen girls. During this time, she had begun the application process for the Peace Corps and looked forward to the new challenge.
" I chose the Peace Corps because I have always enjoyed spending time in different cultures and countries," she said. " Now is the time for me to experience living abroad and living a more difficult life than I am accustomed to. "
When her two-year appointment closes, Tompkins plans to return to school for her master's degree in social work. She hopes to continue being challenged and advises dont be afraid to be uncomfortable.
Updated October 2012.
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