Maialen Mera strives to understand and overcome her challenges
By James Auvil
Maialen Mera is a first-generation college student and soccer player from Spain who has built a reputation for discipline, resilience and a commitment to helping others succeed.
“I put my heart behind everything that I do,” she said.
Mera has maintained a 3.9 GPA while working as a tutor, academic coach and research assistant at The University of Alabama in Huntsville. After earning her undergraduate degree in mathematics, she recently graduated with a master’s degree in business analytics.
A native Spanish speaker, Mera had studied English throughout her schooling in Spain, but becoming truly conversational happened during her freshman year at UAH. Today, she moves between both languages with ease.
Before leaving Spain, she had already committed to studying mathematics at a top university in Madrid before choosing UAH. "I chose math because it is something almost everyone finds challenging, and I wanted to be good at what others found hard," she said. The universality of math reinforced a decision already made.
Adjusting to a new language and unfamiliar teaching methods presented early challenges, but Mera remained a high achiever.
Over time, her academic interests evolved.
"After finishing most of my math requirements, I realized that finance and business were what truly interested me," she said.
As a graduate student, Mera has played a key role in supporting the academic community. She has assisted 19 faculty members, tutoring students, serving as an academic coach and helping develop study plans across campus.
Her impact was recognized when she became the first student in the UAH College of Business to receive the Graduate Teaching Assistant Award at the Spring 2026 UAH College of Business Graduate Celebration. Graduate teaching assistants play a vital role in mentoring peers, supporting faculty and shaping the student experience.
In addition to her academic contributions, Mera demonstrated leadership on the soccer field. As a freshman, she was voted into a leadership role and later finished her college soccer career as team captain.
Beyond campus, she earned her SIE certification, completed two internships while enrolled full-time as a GTA, and participated in programs like Wall Street Bound, gaining exposure to the industry.
Mera approaches challenges with intention, focusing on fully understanding obstacles rather than simply overcoming them. When she encounters difficulty, she goes beyond attending office hours; she also seeks additional resources, joins student organizations and connects with peers to strengthen her understanding.
"Through all of these roles, I've been able to make a meaningful impact on students," she said.
Her leadership style reflects that mindset, allowing her to anticipate challenges and guide others through them. As she continues her graduate studies, Mera remains focused on making a lasting impact both inside and outside the classroom.
