Student Spotlight: Marisol Zuniga-Castaneda

Class of 2025

Degree:

B.S. in Biochemistry, Pre-Med track

Hometown:

Arlington, Va. 

Where are you from and what brought you to Marymount?

I’ve lived in a lot of places—both my parents were in the military so we moved around a lot, but since eighth grade, I’ve lived in Virginia. I initially decided to come to Marymount to play soccer, and also because I wanted a good school to start my path of becoming a doctor. I’d never heard of a biochemistry major before coming to Marymount, but I spoke with some professors here while I was in high school who said the program is rigorous and would allow for lots of personalized attention. So I decided to come to Marymount, and I’m so glad I did!

What have you been involved with on campus?

I’ve been involved in so many different things during my time at Marymount. I was a student-athlete for a few years, then I switched gears and was involved in the Student Government Association. I was the SGA Vice President my junior year, and I enjoyed the opportunity to have a leadership role. I’m also the President of Catholic Campus Ministry and a member of the Marymount Chamber Singers. Last year, I worked with the administration to get a Pep Band started. I loved music as a kid, but stepped away from it to focus on sports in high school. Being at Marymount, I’ve rediscovered my love for music and have gotten the opportunity to share that love with other students. I play the tenor saxophone, and it has been so fun playing at Marymount basketball games. I’m hoping to pass on the Pep Band to another president who will build on that legacy and expand it so more students can get involved. I’ve had the opportunity to do so many things at Marymount, and all of it has added so much to my college experience. 

How have you grown and changed since you came to Marymount?

Over the past four years at Marymount, I’ve grown a lot as a person and found so many different things that I love. The biggest change was how the University helped me rediscover my Catholic faith. Before coming here, I was very involved in playing soccer, wasn’t going to Church and didn’t believe much in the faith that I was taught when I was young. But I found an amazing campus community full of other Catholic people my age and I got connected with Father Gabriel, who has led me through catechesis and taught me to pray with the Bible. Finding that community and rediscovering the faith has been such an unexpected blessing, and I’m so grateful for the people who have helped me find my way back to Catholicism. 

What is your favorite thing about Marymount?

There is something for everyone at Marymount. You can go into college thinking you’re only going to be focused on one thing or stick with one group of friends. But at a place like Marymount, you can grow and step out of your comfort zone. The University has the diversity to allow students to push themselves, get involved in new things and find their people. So that is really what I love about Marymount—you leave here a better person.