Student Board of Directors
 Amanda C. Duhon - President. She is a Senior International Studies major at the Center for International Studies, University of St. Thomas. As a single, working mother of an eight-year-old daughter, she is reminded on a daily basis the importance and responsiblity of caring for a family. After watching a PBS documentary on micro-credit lending in Dr. Rogelio Garcia-Contreras’ Research Methods class in the Fall of 2007, she saw the benefits that micro-credit lending had upon families within small communities where, after receiving a small loan, were able to cloth, feed, and educate thier children. She saw the rewards the program would bestow upon the instiution of family and the foundation of the community. As a Catholic, Amanda understands the social teachings of the church to help the poor, and support the family structure. Amanda looks forward to using the knowledge she has obtained from the Center and put it to hands on use. She sees a future that will consist of helping those whose eyes shine bright, but may not have the means to remove theselves from the shell of poverty. She believes this is where the micro-credit program will help.
 Claudia V. Espinosa - VP of Loan Administration. She is a senior International Studies major. Her passion for the field is derived from her faith and a strong interest in social justice that she has worked for through various organizations for the past seven years. The Micro-credit Program provided her with an excellent tool with which to continue to work for social justice that also fed into the demanding International Studies major. She is excited to work closely with loan recipients as Vice President of Loan Administration.
 Ida Orbe - Assistant Secretary. I wanted to do the international studies in order to step out of the box and know how the world around me evolves. It is sad to see people so uninterested by the misery outside of their borders. That is why I decided to be an emissary of the often abandoned world and hopefully help them the best I can with the skills I would learn throughout my education. I see the micro-credit fund as a means of development. I had the chance to be blessed with an education, and means to realize my dreams. We are all brothers and sisters regardless of race or religious and I believe that it is our duty to help one another to realize their dreams as I am doing it myself now. That is why I joined the program, to help my brothers and sisters in need.
 Thomas Mendez - VP of Public Relations, Fundraising and Partnerships. He is a junior at UST, majoring in International Studies with minors in Spanish and Latin American and Latino Studies. He is an RA at Guinan Residence Hall, as well as Vice President of the Student Government Association. He also works part time at the Office of Volunteer Opportunities. Mendez is very excited to keep the UST community involved with the work of the Microcredit Program.
 Nancy Velasquez - Assistant VP of Finance and Accounting. When I heard about what KIVA .org was doing and about the idea of micro-credit, my heart went with it immidiately. I thought about how valuable it is to give some one a chance to make his/her dreams a reality. Many of us spend much time thinking about how to make this world a better place for everyone; this is it! Knowing that you can put a smile on someone's face and hope in his heart, that is changing the world and that is why I wanted to become part of something that is a catalyze for progress and change.
 Annie Polo - Secretary. I am an International Studies major, and this is my senior year. I wanted to help with the Micro-credit Project because I thought that working with other UST students would be a good experience. Also, I wanted to help other people in other countries. The concept of working together for the purpose of helping others is what attracted me the most to this Project.
 Mohammed Abudayyeh - Assistant VP of Public Relations, Fundraising and Partnership. I believe the Micro-Credit Program is a wonderful opportunity for both students and small business owners. It provides a work-study atmosphere for students to learn the fundamentals of lending money out for business development purposes; as well as the opportunity for less fortunate business owners to start their own private businesses and participate in the market of their own choice.
 Bindu Jose - VP of Finance and Accounting. I am a junior at the University of St. Thomas. Currently I am working on a joint major with International Studies and Environmental Studies. I joined the Center for International Studies Microcredit Program as a means to actually put words into action. It is a wonderful way to take all the different principles we learn in International Studies and apply it to real life situations. Everyday we are helping destitute people around the world, and though it is a small contribution, it is nonetheless encompassing of what it means to be an International Studies student.
 Cheryl Castillo - VP of Risk and Loan Assessment. I am a senior at the University of St. Thomas, majoring in International Studies. I chose the international studies degree because I value the interdisciplinary approach and I love learning about global issues that face the world today and have yet to be solved. I know that whatever vocation I choose, I will be able to incorporate a better understanding of cultural differences and international political and economic issues into that career. The Micro-Credit Fund is an important addition to my international studies degree because it allows me to learn how non-profit organizations work while I actively participate in the process of helping individuals and families overcome poverty with dignity. Our education means nothing if we do not use what we learn productively, and there is no reason why we should not start doing so while still a student in a supportive learning environment. | 
