Maria Luisa Vieira Parada

We need to keep breaking the glass ceiling of the ivory tower

“At Princeton, that means ensuring that there is upward career growth available for women. Women make up only 33 percent of tenured and tenure-track faculty, the people who could be potentially in line for higher administrative leadership at the University.”

“At Princeton, that means ensuring that there is upward career growth available for women. Women make up only 33 percent of tenured and tenure-track faculty, the people who could be potentially in line for higher administrative leadership at the University.”

For CPS, accessible long-term care is the next step

"It’s understandable that CPS wants to provide stopgap measures like these but these steps can feel like a mere procedural formality rather than a step toward well-being. The difficult truth is that the University really just has to figure out how to provide the care that we need: sufficient session time and consistent support over the course of a whole semester and often more. "

"It’s understandable that CPS wants to provide stopgap measures like these but these steps can feel like a mere procedural formality rather than a step toward well-being. The difficult truth is that the University really just has to figure out how to provide the care that we need: sufficient session time and consistent support over the course of a whole semester and often more. "

Slow down to swim rather than sink into overflowing inboxes

Our University, steeped in tradition and knowledge, plays an active role in students’ lives — it is not merely a place where we learn; it is an environment in which we are permanently molded. The University’s vibrant community and myriad opportunities also make it a partner in our exploration. So could we, perhaps, imagine a Princeton that not just throws opportunities our way, but also helps us navigate them?

Our University, steeped in tradition and knowledge, plays an active role in students’ lives — it is not merely a place where we learn; it is an environment in which we are permanently molded. The University’s vibrant community and myriad opportunities also make it a partner in our exploration. So could we, perhaps, imagine a Princeton that not just throws opportunities our way, but also helps us navigate them?

Until we can trust the University on mental health, we can’t solve the problem

“Princeton must become a space where students feel empowered to take advantage of support. Accessible and comprehensive mental health care can only be developed alongside a student body that trusts its administration. Only then can Princeton make a lasting change in the lives of students struggling in silence.”

“Princeton must become a space where students feel empowered to take advantage of support. Accessible and comprehensive mental health care can only be developed alongside a student body that trusts its administration. Only then can Princeton make a lasting change in the lives of students struggling in silence.”

The myth of meritocracy and what we can do about it

“There is myriad evidence that in many countries, meritocracy is a myth and social reproduction is the norm. In order to allow all citizens to reach their full potential regardless of the circumstances they were born in, we must work to break the cycle of social reproduction. As Princeton students, we are some of the most privileged people in the world. While that doesn’t mean all of us come from privileged backgrounds, it does mean we have a part to play in promoting social mobility.”  

“There is myriad evidence that in many countries, meritocracy is a myth and social reproduction is the norm. In order to allow all citizens to reach their full potential regardless of the circumstances they were born in, we must work to break the cycle of social reproduction. As Princeton students, we are some of the most privileged people in the world. While that doesn’t mean all of us come from privileged backgrounds, it does mean we have a part to play in promoting social mobility.”  

Deforestation: Who is the true culprit?

“We must be aware that while identifying political leaders as the main perpetrators of climate change is understandable, it is also simplistic and a way of shifting responsibility from ourselves.”

“We must be aware that while identifying political leaders as the main perpetrators of climate change is understandable, it is also simplistic and a way of shifting responsibility from ourselves.” 

Productive or not, we will all come out the same

There’s no dependable method to quantify a gap year’s accomplishment, particularly with all the limitations you are confronting now. With this in mind, take advantage of the flexibility afforded by a year off, and do what makes sense for you.