Be the Reason: Meet Mariangela Acosta
Saint Louis University Doisy College of Health Sciences Student
Saint Louis University Doisy College of Health Sciences Student Mariangela Acosta knew early in life that she wanted to help people.
Being Deaf and having been born in Peru and raised in Colorado, she embraces diverse cultures and upbringings. She also works to foster a greater understanding of people’s differences by sharing her own experiences. Drawn to Jesuit values, particularly social justice, Acosta said it was important for her to find a degree program that would allow her to serve others. So was expanding her horizons by attending a college or university outside of her home state.
Enter Saint Louis University.
SLU’s nationally ranked five-year bachelor’s-to-master’s track for occupational therapy and meaningful service opportunities caught Acosta’s attention. Thanks to the generosity of donors, her scholarship awards are equivalent to what she would have paid to attend school in Colorado, which was a major factor in determining her decision to attend SLU.
Financial Support's Impact
“Financial aid was crucial for my decision because I wanted to take a chance of being out of state to explore,” Acosta said. “Even though the contributions might not seem like much to the donors, they mean so much to me. That’s something I don’t take for granted because there’s a personal, valuable piece to it.”
As an advocate, Acosta is frequently invited to speak to peer groups where she shares
what it’s like to be a Deaf student in a hearing community. It’s a point of view she
hopes will help SLU students better understand others’ differences by opening dialogue
that allows people to ask questions they might otherwise not be comfortable asking,
she said.
“It’s critical to have a social network,” Acosta said. “The more that people know
about it, the more I can share my perspective that allows them to understand, not
only through academics but more so in a personal way. I have found that allows them
to see through my eyes, and then we are focused on just getting to know one another.”
An Advocate for Others
Imbued with a passion for community service, Acosta also belongs to one of SLU’s learning
communities, the Micah Program. She volunteers at a senior-assistance facility, engaging
with the residents and sharing her experiences and skills with them. Her own wellness
is also important to her, she said, which is why she participates in the Sazón Latin
dance group to release stress, connect culturally with her Peruvian roots and enjoy
time with her friends.
Expecting to graduate with her bachelor’s degree in May 2025 and her master’s in 2026,
a particular area of interest for Acosta is occupational justice. She is eager to
learn about various cultures, considering each person’s background, fostering the
well-being of each patient and being a voice for their needs, she said.
“The whole reason I want to be an occupational therapist is so I can better advocate
for others and help people [with disabilities] see that there is someone who is a
Deaf person in a health care setting,” Acosta said. “I want to be able to show and
model that anyone can do it. Because of the scholarships I received, I can do that.”
You can be the reason Saint Louis University students like Mariangela Acosta are able to access a transformative education. Make your gift today.