HISTORY CHANGING THE WORLD MAKING AND

EVAN AVILA ’20, ECONOMICS AND POLITICAL SCIENCE HOMETOWN: FREDERICK, MARYLAND

A Quiet Powerhouse

Wondering what a changemaker looks like? Meet Evan Avila, economics and political science. He’s a quiet powerhouse who—even before his senior year—had already presented his research and ideas to D.C. policymakers and given back to the Baltimore community to the tune of $800,000 in tax refunds through the UMBC Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.

To top it all off, Evan was named a recipient of the distinguished Harry S. Truman Scholarship , which awards about one $30,000 scholarship per state to an undergraduate student who “demonstrates outstanding potential for and who plans to pursue a career in public service.”

Financial Sense

Evan’s work is motivated, in no small part, by his own experiences. “I came from a Peruvian and Mexican household. I saw how hard my parents worked and the challenges they faced to have financial security,” he explains. “In college, I see my peers trying to make sense of personal budgets, savings, loans, credit, and retirement.”

The Right Blend

What’s most incredible is that Evan worked to make real change all while juggling a full class schedule alongside teaching and research assistantships, as well as an on-campus job, internships, and volunteering.

He says the key to his success was the people at UMBC, whether it was the faculty and staff who supported him as he strove for academic achievement or the friends he made who joined him for dinner parties and fun campus events.

“There really is no better feeling in the world than making your family and community proud, there really isn’t,” says Evan. “And this was all possible because UMBC was my community.”

Your Home Away From Home

Living on campus gives you a chance to be part of an energetic campus community. You have space to study, relax, and explore. First-year students live in one of five residence halls while transfer and upper-class students may apply to live in the residence halls, suites, or apartments.

The number one thing I like to do to relax is cook. Cooking is my favorite hobby. I obsess over Food Network shows and Bon Appetit. And I like to invite my friends over to my campus apartment to have dinner parties.

– EVAN AVILA