Aimy Avila

Alumna: Sociology/Spanish ’16

Aimy Avila

Building relationships with faculty was an important part of college for recent graduate Aimy Avila.

That’s why Towson University’s small class sizes were a perfect fit.

“I want a professor to know how I work, how my brain functions and call me by name when I raise my hand,” says the sociology/Spanish double major. “I need that in order to succeed, and Towson University provided that for me all the way through.”

These days, Avila’s sense of success comes from helping disadvantaged children in downtown Baltimore.

During her senior year at TU, she was a teaching intern for Reading, Rhythm and the Arts, an after-school program that seeks to empower urban youth through literacy.

“ I want a professor to know how I work, how my brain functions and call me by name when I raise my hand. I need that in order to succeed, and Towson University provided that for me all the way through. ”

Aimy Avila

That internship turned into a job.

Now, Avila, who was born in the Dominican Republic and raised in Maryland, is using her knowledge of sociological theory to give program participants the best advantages she can.

“A lot of what I learned in sociology comes up,” says Avila, whose pupils battle discrimination and poverty. “How to deal with diverse societies … how we can help kids get out of damaging situations and the different factors that play in. It helps to understand that.”

As Avila considers graduate school and a career in educational administration, she also is grateful for TU’s involvement opportunities, which she says contributed to her education and positive experience at the university. Serving as president of her sorority, vice president for the Latin American Student Organization and treasurer for the Unified Greek Council, Avila gained leadership skills and a valuable sense of belonging.

“There are so many things you can get involved in at Towson University,” says Avila. “You can’t get lost.”