Interview with Kendra Mirasol (UCI 1988, MBA University of Chicago, 1995)
The Department of European Languages and Studies is overjoyed to share the news that Kendra Mirasol, a longtime supporter of the German program at UCI, recently deepened her commitment by signing a substantial gift agreement. Her generous donation of $25.000 established the Mirasol German Program Travel Endowment, with the explicit aim to support students participating in study abroad programs, work programs, and/or research programs in German-speaking countries. The recipients must be undergraduates pursuing majors or minors in German studies, or graduate students working in German studies. While Kendra’s priority support is on German major/minor students, the gift also allows for providing support for students to participate in study abroad/work/research in any foreign country, as long the student is either an undergraduate or graduate student in the European Language and Studies department.
On account of this joyous news for the department, Chair Anke Biendarra took the opportunity to ask Kendra some questions on her own career path and what advice she might have for Humanities students in foreign languages.
When you were a student at UCI, how did you come to German? Had you had any previous exposure to the language? What made you declare a major?
Beginning in 7th grade my public school offered - imagine this - Spanish, French, Latin AND German. Given my grandmother spoke German as a child and uttered phrases like “Ach ja!” I was intrigued. The more I studied, the more fascinated I was with the foreign sounds coming out of my mouth, sentence structures that mimicked puzzles and a new genre of literature.
Upon arrival at UCI, I declared an Economics major. However, a friend of mine noted that I spent 90% of my time hanging around the Humanities department and advised, “Hey, why don’t you major in something you love and are good at?” His argument was that any company, organization or grad school would be interested in taking candidates with high performance and deep passion, regardless of topic.
What did you like most about the study of German at UCI at the time when you were here?
I really benefited from the close relationships with my professors. They supported my growth academically, served as great references and were an extraordinary resource for opportunities like work and study abroad. We knew each other so well that they even hired me to babysit! To this day I remain close with many and have the good fortune to meet them all over the world. (I once ran into my TA in the middle of Prague!)
What would you say were the biggest take-aways for you (personally and intellectually) to getting a foreign-language degree?
Without a doubt, having a foreign language degree has made me stand out amongst my peers. It helped refine my communication, enhanced my negotiating skills and provided opportunities to collaborate across cultures. I have been described as the one who can “read the room” with the ability to take on multiple perspectives.
Personally, my foreign language degree has brought so much fun! Regardless of which language you study, it will enhance your experiences when traveling, working and living abroad. You’ll meet more people, because you’ll have gained confidence to connect meaningfully with others, especially with those who are different from you.
You hold an MBA from the University of Chicago and have worked in positions where you championed and advanced international collaboration. As former co-owner and President of IOR Global Services, a company delivering international relocations for clients, were you able to use your background in German Studies in this work as well?
Absolutely! One of my first priorities was to establish relationships with European relocation companies to become their trusted partner. Naturally, our company had an edge over those who did not possess the language skills we had. This applied not just to German companies, but to the large multinationals, which was a real game changer for growth.
If a student asked you today why they should enroll in a Humanities major, what would you tell them?
May I answer, “so you don’t come out of college spewing facts like an AI bot?” I think now, more than ever, we need graduates with skills in critical thinking, creative problem solving, and recognizing nuances in communication to build strong relationships steeped in empathy. These competencies are the ticket for being influential in whatever role you perform down the road.
In looking back at your extraordinary career, what is something you wish you would have known already when you were a student at UCI?
I wish I had known how to better describe the value of all the papers I wrote, texts I analyzed, internships I worked, etc. At graduation, it is important to package your education and experience into a meaningful story. With a Humanities degree, it can be challenging to recognize and articulate common themes of what we offer and tell a powerful story that showcases our worth.
I encourage students to take a step back and trust their journey. Develop a narrative that ties your experiences and studies together. Write down your high dream, visualize yourself in it, and then take the necessary steps to get you there.
With your ongoing support for the German program, what doors do you hope to open for students?
I would like to provide once in a lifetime experiences that breed additional once in a lifetime experiences. A door to broadened perspectives and opportunities.
As a humanities major, if you equip yourself well and lean into the unique aspects that define you, you’ll be able to demonstrate your value for the next phase, whether academically or professionally. As a foreign language major, be sure to take your skills on the road to immerse yourself in various cultures. You’ll constantly encounter differences and learn to manage them to advance yourself, your organization, the country you represent and our society at large. Congratulations for taking on this important and thrilling life path!