Student Spotlight: Maggie Portillo

“You need to get comfortable with being uncomfortable.” 

This is the advice Maggie Portillo gives USF students who want to make the most of their college experience. The junior social work and psychology major says the mantra serves her well. 

“I’ve been unsure about stepping into some of my leadership roles, but I have found great support at USF,” she explains. “I am encouraged to live up to my potential. Getting involved has made all the difference.” 

Portillo is a resident assistant in Grand Island Hall, the president of the Latinos Unidos Club and she leads bilingual worship on campus in a unique collaboration between Latinos Unidos and Campus Ministries. She also enjoys attending a wide variety of campus events and participates in multiple service projects. 

Her interest in social work has opened doors to a job at an autism center and took her to Ecuador as a psychology clinic volunteer last summer. 

“I discovered USF during a high school Christian College Fair. When I found out they offered a social work degree, I decided to tour campus,” she says. “USF feels like my home away from home.” 

Portillo grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota. Her father is from Honduras and her mother is from Mexico. She speaks fluent Spanish and English and enjoys sharing her Latin culture with people who want to know more about it. 

As president of Latinos Unidos, she tries to honor the organization’s mission by building connections in the local Spanish community and speaking openly about her faith.

“I’ve been leading worship since I was 10,” she says. “Being able to continue this service at USF is an unexpected gift.” 

In her spare time, Portillo enjoys soccer, music, hiking, snow skiing and spending time with friends and family. While she is still considering her options after graduation, she knows she will use her degree for good. 

“There are so many amazing avenues in the field of social work,” she says. “USF is preparing me well and I am excited to see where my education takes me.”