Gabriel Munoz
French and Government
Caracas, Venezuela
What Cornell memory do you treasure the most?
The many times I would just knock on my professor's doors and talk to them about questions I had about class or about books that were related to the class to get their input on the ideas I was trying to develop.
In an era when people tend to shut themselves off from asking questions, I think making the extra effort of developing a personal connection with your professors is pivotal to your success as a student. It gives you all the more enriching experience because some of them can become mentors who can provide useful insights, not only into how to become a better student and academic, but also about opportunities that might be better suited for your skills post-graduation.
What is your main extracurricular activity and why is it important to you?
The Cornell Daily Sun gave me the most joy during my college experience. No other activity during the last couple of years on campus gave me the opportunity to be connected to so many individuals in and out of campus that call Ithaca home.
Either through interviews or just overhearing writers talk about their stories, I was able to develop a full picture of the challenges and opportunities that Ithaca is currently facing and how many individuals strive to improve it. It also taught me about compromise, and to reconcile different points of view into a cohesive narrative that can discern what is the truth from what is just a perspective.
Moreover, I have met the most talented group of students through it and made lifelong friendships I will treasure forever.
What have you accomplished as a Cornell student that you are most proud of?
I had the opoortunity to work on research with Professors Douglas Kriner and Jillian Goldfarb on public opinion on biofuels. Initially, it was part of a public policy incubator class that allowed us to travel across the country to do research and ultimately present our initial findings to congressional staffers in Washington D.C.
The project then scaled to research that we worked on for another semester. I was proud to be in a group with so many talented people with diverse academic backgrounds that ultimately created a cohesive project through multiple rounds of feedback and collaboration.
How have your beliefs or perspectives changed since you first arrived at Cornell?
I have become more fearless. Before getting through my first couple of classes, I would shy away from what would be considered challenging courses. I thought I would not be prepared for them.
However, in having to challenge myself through classes I would not have picked if not for the A&S curriculum, I learned that I can pivot and find a way to wrestle with challenging concepts, classes or entire subject matters where I do not have the most expertise.
I have taken this approach out of the classroom as well, conquering fears even in my everyday life – like doing a rope climb at the on-campus rock climbing gym.
What are your plans for next year?
I will be working as a compliance analyst for Goldman Sachs.
Every year, our faculty nominate graduating Arts & Sciences students to be featured as part of our Extraordinary Journeys series. Read more about the Class of 2026.
