Dr. Juanita Babet Villena-Alvarez – Beaufort Way of life

BREAKING BARRIERS

story by CAROL WEIR          pictures by SUSAN DELOACH

“Babet” to her mates and “Dr. A” to her college students, Juanita Babet Villena-Alvarez, PhD, is the University of South Carolina Beaufort’s Associate Vice Chancellor for International and Academic Engagement. She led USCB to its first nationwide award with the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU). She directs the college’s worldwide and honors packages, and teaches French, Spanish, and Global Studies.

You’ve been at USCB since 1994 — the longest-serving worker on campus. Who is Babet Alvarez past the titles?
I got here to Beaufort and USCB due to Dr. Larry Rowland, who employed me once I was very younger. I’ve traveled an extended distance to get right here — geographically, culturally, economically, and intellectually. I used to be born in what was then a small mountain city within the northern Philippines, educated in Europe, after which I immigrated to the United States. Today, I’m an American who wakes up on daily basis asking, “How can I remove barriers for students, faculty, and this institution?”

I began faculty at 16 and by 20 was already instructing 5 programs on the University of the Philippines Diliman. My dean and professors labored collectively to assist me discover further instructing so I might afford a airplane ticket to Spain, the place I had been provided a scholarship for a grasp’s diploma. Imagine that — your personal professors scrambling for you. That expertise formed me. It’s why I work so laborious to seek out alternatives for my college students now.

Your educational journey spans a number of international locations and levels. How did that unfold?
Scholarships made every thing potential. A Spanish authorities grant introduced me to Spain, adopted by a Rotary Foundation Ambassador of Goodwill Scholarship — just one individual from the Philippines acquired it that yr — to finish my Magistère on the Sorbonne in Paris. A partnership between the Sorbonne and the University of Cincinnati allowed me to transform my diploma to an American grasp’s and proceed on to a PhD in French Literature.

So sure — the equal of three grasp’s levels and a PhD, all funded by individuals who believed in investing in potential. That generosity drives how I mentor college students right this moment.

Your path hasn’t at all times been straightforward. How would you describe the journey?
Bumpy. Rough. Adventuresome. Scary. Exhilarating. Tiring. Rewarding.

Barriers make you stronger in case you don’t allow them to cease you. Doors shut — I search for one other one. Sometimes folks attempt to diminish your work. That can damage, nevertheless it motivates me. When somebody says one thing can’t be completed, I get energized proving that it could actually.

You’re recognized for pushing USCB college students and school towards massive nationwide and worldwide grants. What retains you going?
I need to see how far I may help others go. That’s the sincere reply.

Once, somebody questioned how I might function USCB’s Fulbright Advisor once I had by no means personally acquired a Fulbright. Well, guess what? We’ve since guided a number of college students and school to Fulbright/Fulbright-Hays awards, and USCB has been named a Fulbright Top Producing Institution twice.

You’ve acquired main recognitions your self. Which accomplishments are closest to your coronary heart?
The South Carolina Governor’s Professor of the Year award in 2010 means so much — there’s a tree planted beside USCB’s Hargray Building in my mom’s honor due to it. Also, the Carolina Trustee Professorship I acquired in 2012.

I’m additionally happy with the alternatives we’ve created for college kids: our Poland pre-med research overseas program, Fulbright-Hays initiatives, assist from the French Embassy, and the various Carolina Trustee Professorships our campus has earned. All these partnerships open doorways.

You’ve powered by way of critical well being challenges. What had been they?
In 2003, my physician — Dr. Tim Pearce, who has handled half of Beaufort— instructed me, “You should be dead by now.” I had a ruptured appendix and saved instructing for 2 weeks. Dr. Jane Upshaw, who was Dean then and later turned USCB’s first Chancellor, visited me within the hospital. She mentioned, “What were you thinking?!” I assume I used to be interested by my college students. Not the neatest second — however very on model. As a baby, I had many sore throats that finally led to everlasting listening to loss. I didn’t notice I wanted listening to aids till I used to be in faculty. Sometimes I inform my household and my college students, “Please wait a moment. I need to put in my ears!”

Tell us about your loved ones. They appear central to your life.
My daughters are the lights of my life. Natalie is a PhD pupil in Molecular Genetics at Emory University. Our youngest, Marie Sophie, is flourishing on the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Math. The sky’s the restrict for them, and I couldn’t be prouder.

My household is my secure place and the place I let my hair down. I grew up in a household of six girls — my mother and 4 sisters. Believe it or not, I used to be thought-about the quiet one! We’re now unfold out throughout the U.S., however we go to one another typically and keep shut regardless of the gap.

My mom, Mila, has lived with me for almost 20 years. She’s 92 and has created a mini-Philippine yard farm of Asian greens and fruit timber in our neighborhood. We dwell in Cottage Farm, close to Beaufort Memorial Hospital, and we like it there.
Tending her backyard retains my mother sturdy — and retains us (and our mates!) all effectively fed.

How did you meet your husband? Do you’ve gotten comparable temperaments?
I met Butch in Ohio once I was a graduate pupil. He is the calm to my five-directions-at-once vitality. He’s a doctor by coaching however focuses on instructing and mentoring, particularly with college students fascinated with well being professions. USCB college students name him “Mister Dr. A.” We each put in lengthy hours at USCB. Every fall, we assist on the dorms on move-in day, hauling packing containers up the steps and getting very sweaty. It’s one in all our favourite traditions — assembly households, calming nerves, and welcoming college students.

Your cooking is famous. Where did that keenness come from?
From my mother — and from the world. I discovered in her kitchen as a baby after which blended in flavors from Spain, France, Poland, Korea, and past. I don’t cook dinner one delicacies — I cook dinner tales.

I marinate meats in a single day, combine Filipino flavors with Korean sesame oil, add Spanish garlic methods, and make French crêpes filled with Polish-style fillings. Food is love, journey, and tradition on a plate.

When you’re not working, how do you loosen up?
I used to spend so much of time alone studying, however these days I want to be with folks I like. I like touring with household, cooking collectively, speaking to my daughters on the telephone, watching Okay-dramas with my mother, and gardening together with her. There’s a line from Voltaire’s Candide: “Il faut cultiver notre jardin” — we should domesticate our backyard. Beaufort turned out to be the perfect place for me to set down roots and develop. Resources abound right here. If we imagine in ourselves and work laborious, we will profit from alternatives for ourselves and others.