GUTIERREZ GETS TASTE OF WORLD TRAVEL

May 5, 2003

GUTIERREZ GETS TASTE OF WORLD TRAVEL

James Gutierrez plans to get his bachelor's degree in Communications and Spanish at the University of New Mexico next May. That's only the beginning for this Las Vegas native.

As one of the youngest senior presidential scholars at UNM, Gutierrez, 19, intends to do some jet setting before he begins his career.

"I will travel the world for a few years, then see where I want to go from there," he said, adding that he will more than pursue a master's degree in business administration.

This summer, Gutierrez will be in an MBA program at Harvard Business School in Cambridge, M.A. After the program he will intern for Senator Jeff Bingaman in Washington, D.C. Next summer he plans to volunteer in Athens, Greece at the Olympics.

"Since I have been able to study abroad in Europe and in Africa recently, I have had the travel fever like no other time in my life," he said. "I have many plans for after graduation."

So far he has traveled to 49 states -lacking only Hawaii- and to more than 11 countries. He has been to Egypt, Spain, Italy, France, Switzerland, Mexico, Portugal, Canada, England, Morocco, Uganda, among others.

He said he will use what he has learned traveling to teach and help youth achieve their goals. One plan is to work as a youth director on a cruise ship.

"I want to be an good example to kids," he said. "I want to reach out and let them know that their goals and dreams can be achieved."

Gutierrez has been a big brother for the Big Brother/Big Sister Program for five years. Two years ago he received the Big Brother of the Year award for Northern New Mexico.

Gutierrez said he is grateful for the experiences he has been exposed to since his arrival at UNM. He said he likes UNM because of the endless opportunities to get involved. "There is something for everyone," he said.

"The University of New Mexico is a great school," he said. "At the time, I was planning on going to medical school and I know what a gem that we have in our state medical school.

He said a major factor for choosing UNM was because he knew his concurrent enrollment credits -38- that he received in high school would transfer, thus making him a junior by his second semester.
He has however faced several challenges at UNM, including time management.

"I have learned that with all the opportunities available at UNM, there isn't necessarily enough time to do them all," he said. "So, definitely time management skills have been a must, but I think that I have done a pretty good job."

His advice to others wanting to attend UNM is to get involved with all the activities on campus and those such as studying abroad and internships. He stressed that getting to know the professors is a must.

He said that education is important and people should never stop challenging themselves in life.

"College offers a great opportunity for growth, mentally, physically and spiritually," he said. "All too often we don't push ourselves to our potential either because of fear or indifference."

He said he was grateful for his guidance and help from his parents, James and Dolores Gutierrez.

"My parents have always and will continue to be my number one supporters," he said. "Their wisdom and encouragement have made me who I am today. The support of a parent can make an influence on a child like no one else can."

Gutierrez also serves as a UNM Trailblazer, an Alumni Relation's ambassador program. He said it is an honor to represent the University as a student ambassador. He said he has been given a tremendous opportunity to meet many amazing people.

Besides the Presidential Scholarship, Gutierrez has received scholarships from NASA and General Motors.

His hobbies included playing and coaching basketball, meeting new people, mentoring youth, skiing, trying new things, spending time with his loved ones and of course, his most favorite: world traveling.

Gutierrez said the he has a lot of goals and will do his best to accomplish them.

"The difference between dreams and goals is a deadline," he said. "Any thing is possible."

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