UNCG senior Jia Li Emaus has been part of a multicultural family since she was three. She immigrated from China into an adopted family that celebrated diversity. Her six siblings are from Guatemala, Russia, Ethiopia, and the U.S.
It was right under her childhood roof where Emaus’ curiosity for culture blossomed.
“We’re a bunch of siblings from all over the world. I learned about different cultures and that family isn’t always necessarily blood,” Emaus says. “Family can be people from different areas, backgrounds, and walks of life forming a community.”
At UNCG, Emaus has carried her lived experience into a double major in Political Science and International and Global Studies and double minors in Spanish and Chinese. She has earned prestigious awards, including the Katherine Smith Reynolds Scholarship and the May Davidson Scholarship. Emaus also received the Benjamin A. Gilman-German Academic Exchange Service Award to study abroad in Germany.
These are impressive accomplishments for any student, but especially for one who started college as an introvert.
“I was a bit nervous coming to UNCG, but I really found a place here – not just academically but also within the community,” Emaus says.
Embracing Greensboro’s Diversity
Emaus’ drive to surround herself with diversity led her to UNCG’s Lloyd International Honors College and into the broader Greensboro community.
“In high school, I did a year abroad in Ecuador, and that really sparked my interest in international relations and learning about other countries and global citizenship,” she says. “The Honors College just felt like the right path for me to take to broaden those interests.”
When Emaus arrived at UNCG, she was determined to say yes to as many opportunities as she could, from making friends with other students in her dorm (she now shares an apartment with her freshman roommate and fellow stand-out senior Natalia Fagundez) to service.
UNCG’s Office of Leadership & Civic Engagement connected Emaus with the Greensboro community and helped her grow as a leader. Emaus has spent over 300 hours volunteering, focusing mostly on organizations that serve immigrants, including the UNCG Center for New North Carolinians, Real World English, and North Carolina for Community and Justice.
“I didn’t really know much about Greensboro before coming to college, but now, I think the city is so cool,” she says. “Greensboro has such rich culture and diversity and so many stories to tell.”
A highlight of Emaus’ volunteering experiences has been connecting with children, whether teaching them English or facilitating citizenship classes.
“I started speaking Spanish to them, and they’re surprised: ‘Oh my gosh you can speak Spanish. This is relieving,”’ she says. “I can connect with them on that aspect, and it’s rewarding to use a skill I’m very passionate about to give back to the community.”
Pursuing a passion for political science
Emaus has also stepped out of her comfort zone academically. As a first year, she was initially apprehensive about attending office hours, but soon realized her professors were in her corner.
“The professors here have been so passionate and also compassionate, and they really connect with their students in ways I don’t think I would get at other universities,” she says. “They’ve helped me so much – not just academically but also personally.”
One of Emaus’ mentors has been Dr. Michael Broache, an assistant professor in the Department of Political Science. Emaus says she was drawn to Broache’s engaging lecture style that incorporates current research and sparks discussion. Broache also says Emaus stood out.
“I’ve taught Jia in multiple courses during her time at UNCG, and I’ve been consistently impressed with her thoroughness, willingness to ask questions, and love for learning,” he says.
Emaus worked with Broache to restart UNCG’s Model United Nations Club. She is also working with him on multiple research projects, including examining how local governments have responded to international conflict.
“We are hoping to contribute to knowledge about the relationship between local and international politics, as well as the potential influence of local governments on the foreign policy decision-making of national governments,” Broache says.
While in the early stages of this research, Emaus says she has enjoyed applying concepts she has learned in her courses, including data input and finding credible resources.
“Research is a great opportunity to not just learn something, but to use what I’m learning in a real way,” she says.
Emaus plans to continue this research for her capstone project this coming year. In the meantime, she will finalize her post-graduation plans to pursue international relations.
Wherever her next step takes her, Emaus will be graduating UNCG with a stronger voice and a place in a broader community.
“I feel like UNCG has definitely helped me to become a more extroverted person – and a person who is willing to take initiative and opportunities,” she says. “I’m now willing to take that extra step and initiative for something that I’m passionate about.”
Story by Rachel Damiani
Photography by Sean Norona
