Familiar grounds, new roots

Amalia Rodriguez-Giusti was born to be a Buckeye.

With two Ohio State professors as parents, she didn’t just grow up near the university, she grew up with it. Constantly visiting her parents at work, she knew that being a Buckeye meant thriving in a setting that already felt like home. Surrounded by the academic energy and endless opportunities of the campus, Amalia knew where she belonged.

Still, when she officially committed as a student, Amalia knew she wanted her experience to be her own. She spent so much time growing up around the university, and now it was time to finally find her place within it.

Her journey began with getting involved. She found herself drawn to organizations that aligned with her values, particularly within the Latine community. Through her work with the University-Wide Council for Latinx Organizations (UCLO) and the Peruvian Association, Amalia began to establish roots. She even helped found the Eta Theta chapter of Lambda Theta Alpha, the only Latina sorority on campus. These organizations gave her space to grow as a leader and gain confidence.

“Being in spaces where I see my culture represented has been especially meaningful as a minority at such a large university,” she says.

While the campus had always been familiar, it wasn’t until she found this community that Ohio State truly began to feel like her own. Finding spaces where she felt connected, seen and understood made all the difference. Relationships that were built on shared culture, values and purpose became the foundation of her college journey. With a strong support system behind her, Amalia found it easier to face academic challenges and life transitions. She could lean on her community, just as they could lean on her.

“It’s a community that makes you feel like you’re part of something bigger,” she says.

Now, Amalia is preparing for her next chapter: pursuing a master’s degree in social work at Boston College. Her passion for advocacy and uplifting others was sparked through the communities she built, the leadership roles she held, and the cultural pride she embraced. Social work offers her a path to continue that impact, allowing her to dive deeper into understanding people and championing those who need support the most.

Amalia on her Ohio State experience: “Whether it’s insisting on saying ‘THE Ohio State University,’ marking out the letter ‘M’ during football season, or hearing the ‘O-H’ ‘I-O’ chants from students and alumni, there’s a sense of tradition and connection that you don’t find everywhere.”

Her advice to students: “My advice would be to explore as many clubs and organizations as possible to find your community. Step outside your comfort zone — while a large university can feel overwhelming, the wide range of opportunities gives you the chance to find your place.”