Marliza Thomas - Spotlight Story
December 19, 2025
Tell us a little bit about yourself and what brought you to Stockton.
I'm currently a junior here at Stockton, completing a double bachelor's degree in Languages and Culture Studies and Psychology. I'm originally from the small town of Pine Hill. When I was applying to college, my librarian encouraged me to apply for early decision. I applied to schools recommended to me and was able to visit Stockton. I met faculty and students, had a really good tour, and the school felt very homey. It left a really good impression of me.
What do you love most about the Languages and Culture Studies program?
What I love about Languages and Culture Studies is that each discipline has its own little cohort of students, so I’ve created really in-depth bonds with classmates whom I've known since freshman year. We can help each other when needed, do study groups, and just have a lot of fun together.
For me, Spanish is close to home. My grandmother is Puerto Rican, and it was a way for me to connect more with my culture, and also be an advocate for someone who may not be able to find the correct words.
What other groups are you involved with on campus?
I'm involved in many things, such as the ARHU Dean Student Leadership Board, Talons, and different clubs and organizations, such as the Volleyball Club. When it comes to being part of the Dean's Student Leadership Board, we're trying to make way for the next group of incoming students. We are the voice for the students who are present, and for the future ones to come.
Where do you see yourself going after Stockton? What resources or support has Stockton provided to help you prepare for those next steps?
I would love to become a practicing lawyer in family law with a focus on child advocacy. Stockton has helped me learn to advocate for others. For example, with the Dean's Student Leadership Board, I am currently advocating for students in the arts and humanities so they can have some of the programs they're looking for and understand their opportunities within their own majors. That's very helpful for my future goals and aspirations.
What are you most excited about for your future?
I always had a great passion for linguistics and being able to speak to people in the language they're most comfortable with. I always plan to use my Spanish background to communicate with people who may not be able to communicate in English. For me, Spanish is close to home. My grandmother is Puerto Rican, and it was a way for me to connect more with my culture, and also be an advocate for someone who may not be able to find the correct words. I mean, sometimes I can't even find the correct words in English, and it's my first language!
What is the next event that we should have our eye on at Stockton?
The next event you should have your eye on is the Volleyball Club's second annual tournament. We are going to be collaborating with the Drug and Alcohol Peer Educators for their Alcohol Awareness and Sobriety Awareness Month. It's a time where we can combine two things that my club loves: volleyball and coming out, playing, and being a community together, and bringing awareness to the real struggles that I know a lot of college students can have and letting them know that it's okay to ask for help.
Story and photos by Michelle Wismer.
