Jupiter, FL (January 31, 2011) – Born in Madrid, Spain and a graduate of Palm Beach Gardens High School, Maria Aitken is not your average college student. She has already earned both her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Florida Atlantic University’s College of Education and her Master of Science in Mathematics from Nova Southeastern University. She is an Ironman Triathlon finisher, works at The Weiss School for the Gifted in Palm Beach Gardens, and is currently working on her Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership at Nova Southeastern University as well as her bachelor’s degree with a concentration in Biochemistry at the Wilkes Honors College of Florida Atlantic University. Here is a look at the already illustrious career of Maria de Lourdes Aitken.

How have your academic goals changed during your time in college?
I was discouraged from pursuing my original major by a math teacher I had early in my college career, so I decided to turn to my second love, education, and pursue a degree within that field.  I chose Elementary Education because, honestly, it had the lowest mathematics requirements.  After teaching elementary school in my internships, I chose to become a high school teacher after working as a substitute teacher when I graduated, and the only position open was for….a math teacher! So I studied for and passed the mathematics certification exam for teaching grades 9-12 math, and began to teach.  I found that I developed a love for mathematics the more I taught it and helped others understand it.  I then decided to obtain a Master’s degree in Math Education, and then I worked towards a Doctorate in Educational Leadership.  I had a scholarship from Gates Millennium Scholars Program, and I chose the concentration in Educational Leadership to open doors for me if I ever wanted to become a department chair or school administrator of some sort.

What do you feel has been the most challenging period of your academic career and how did you overcome the challenges of that period?
The most challenging part of my academic career was certainly the start of it, because the college and university system was completely foreign to my family and me.  (I am a first-generation high-school and college graduate.)  As a result, I had little support and advice from anyone close to me who had experience within it.  Close friends and mentors I met along the way were invaluable to my success in overcoming the challenges I faced, as was my husband Mark. We married early in my college career (sophomore year!), and yet he always has supported and continues to strongly support all of my academic goals.

What inspired you to pursue a second Bachelor’s degree and a Doctoral degree?
I could not deny the interest I have in the sciences, particularly in medicine, so I chose to give in to my strong desire to attend medical school.  To do so, however, I needed many prerequisite courses, and I felt that completing another degree, in science this time, would give me a better understanding of the material I needed to learn to do well on the MCAT as well as to become a competitive applicant for medical school.  The doctoral degree was a “gift” from the Gates Millennium Scholars Foundation, and I decided to continue it despite leaving my career as an educator because I have learned much about research and education in general from it; I began it because I had interests in becoming a school administrator someday.  The doctoral work has also taught me to adjust to a more rigorous work ethic, which is invaluable for the academic track I am embarking on now.

Why did you choose the Honors College as the place to pursue your Biochemistry concentration and Women’s Studies minor?
I loved the Honors College when I came here in 2001, and the small class size and individual attention you get when you are a student here are great aspects of the college.  I feel that I am not “just a number” in this school, and the professors and their teaching styles are top-notch. The time I have spent meeting other students and engaging in activities with them has been amazing for me.  I have also truly enjoyed having discussions with my professors, both in and out of the classroom; their knowledge is humbling!
I would definitely recommend the HC to other undergrads. The quality of the education, the opportunities to work with other motivated students and faculty, and the small class sizes are just the beginning!

Do you feel that your career as an educator influenced your academic career?
Absolutely!  I have a completely different perspective on the student-teacher relationship and the demands of teaching.  I have an even greater amount of respect and gratitude for my professors than when I started college, because I have been “in their shoes”, and the juggling act they accomplish is incredible.  Knowing what I expected and demanded from my students when I taught has also helped me become a more disciplined and successful student as well.

In regards to your athletics: What have sports contributed to your educational experience?
Sports have been a great source of stress relief and rejuvenation for me, I feel empowered when I accomplish something athletically and that is a great motivator.  Training for the Ironman races also helped me develop mental “toughness” and have allowed me to set an example of discipline and perseverance to my students (when I taught) and to my colleagues now.  Studying is also very demanding on the body and mind, and sports help me to feel refreshed and have the energy to take on my academic challenges. 

What do you think has been the most rewarding aspect of your educational development?
Coming to understand my potential has been a great experience.  It has been a long journey, but I have learned how to maximize my resources and time in order to be successful--I only wish I could have learned this sooner!  Now I try to help others understand how much potential is within them so they can accomplish amazing feats, and when I am able to do this, it is extremely rewarding as well.

What are your academic plans for the future?
I plan to enter medical school in fall of 2013.  My dream school, like most medical students, would be Johns Hopkins, NYU, or Harvard.  Given my circumstances of being a wife and having a house and other responsibilities, an in-state school is most likely going to be my choice unless I get an offer I cannot refuse from one of my “dream schools”.  After that, residency and fellowships will follow.  I would like to pursue a career in dermatology, emergency medicine, or sports medicine/orthopedics after graduating from medical school.
           
What advice would you give to students who are just beginning their college experience?
I would HIGHLY recommend completing an in-depth internship in whatever field the student is interested in.  Doing a certain job once a week is not a good indicator of what is truly required of the professional partaking in that occupation.  Summer internships are excellent options because time is not such a constraint on students as during the fall and spring.  This allows interns to get a better feel of the true demands and responsibilities of someone working in their field of interest. 
In addition-have a serious “talk” with yourself and reflect on your goals, talents, and dreams upon starting your college career.  Many people do not start to think about what they really want until junior year or graduation time...start thinking now! Try taking classes you are interested in, that are not required, to discover your interests, and get involved in many different activities on- and off-campus. Also, talk to your mentors regularly-if you do not have adult mentors, get some!  They can be invaluable guides and advisors when life gets confusing.

Last question. Do you have any advice for prospective and current Honors College students?
Pretty much to do the same things I listed above, but I also recommend that students learn about “the real world” by getting a job during school.  Working with people outside of school can teach you much about yourself and provide valuable opportunities for developing your interpersonal skills.  In addition, it helps to understand how the adult world functions before you are tossed into it after graduation; jobs help you practice interviews, time-management skills, budgeting, how to file taxes, etc.  What better time to learn than now?

byline: WHC Student Intern Tamara Howard