Spanish
From the streets of the Herrera sector, in Santo Domingo Oeste, to becoming the first woman to hold the position of Vice Dean at the College of Technical Engineers of Public Works of Madrid, Maribel Santos has built an exemplary career, guided by perseverance, a vocation for service and a commitment to professional excellence.
Born into a humble family and raised by a single mother, her childhood was marked by shared effort. "I am the daughter of a single mother. She worked in a printing shop and always brought books home," recalls Santos, who from a very early age demonstrated a remarkable academic talent, especially in mathematics, physics, and chemistry.
Her vocation for teaching emerged in adolescence, when she began to collaborate as a teacher's assistant in a Catholic school in the neighborhood. "I combined my studies with the care of my three siblings, to help my mother," she relates, recalling her early years of training, marked by responsibility and family commitment.
His academic background in the Dominican Republic was solid and diverse. He graduated in Civil Engineering and Topography from the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (UASD), while also studying Teaching at the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM). He also began studies in Law at UASD, until a transcendental decision changed the course of his professional life.
In April 2004, after the 11-M attacks, Santos arrived in Spain with clear objectives. "I had my objectives very well defined, my roadmap. I had to homologate my degree and I had to start looking for work in what I studied," he pointed out about his migration strategy.
The professional integration process required sacrifices and parallel work. While homologating his degree, he took care of children and offered private lessons to generate income and regularize his immigration status.
Her incorporation into the College of Technical Engineers of Public Works of Madrid in 2015 marked a milestone in her career. After two electoral attempts, she managed to become the first woman to be part of the college's governing board as vice-dean.
This historic achievement broke with decades of male tradition in the institution. "In the college, it was always men who were there, and I was the first vice-dean," Santos highlighted about her appointment, which opened the doors to future generations.
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During her tenure, she promoted the inclusion of two other women in the school's management structure. At the end of her term, she decided to take a step back to allow for generational change, remaining an active member. Her work projected her towards higher instances. Currently participates in commissions of the Community of Madrid, the Professional Union at the national level, the Interprofessional Union of Madrid and the European Commission of Engineering. Your commitment to promoting STEAM careers is reflected in your active participation in various European and national initiatives aimed at fostering interest in science and engineering among new generations.
