Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes, March 9, 2026.— As part of Women’s History Month, we’re sharing the story of Dalia Itzel Rodríguez González, an alumna of the Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Marketing at the Universidad Panamericana Aguascalientes campus, whose college career was marked by student leadership and active participation in international experiences, academic competitions, and innovation projects that led her to represent the university and Mexico on various global stages.
A college career marked by global opportunities
From her very first semesters, Dalia became actively involved in student projects and academic programs that strengthened her professional training.
He participated in ENACTUS UP, an initiative focused on the development of social entrepreneurship and sustainable businesses, as well as in the Developing Business Leaders (DBL) program at the School of Economics and Business, which is designed to foster skills in strategic analysis, business case resolution, and collaborative work.
Her involvement in extracurricular projects also included social impact initiatives such as Comunidad Bonaterra, where she taught art and English classes to girls in a local community. For her, getting involved in different settings was key to discovering opportunities that would shape her career path.
“I’ve always liked to get involved in everything and make the most of every opportunity. Many of the international experiences I’ve had came about precisely because I was participating and asking questions,” she says.
Global experiences that transform perspectives
One summer, Dalia sought an opportunity to participate in the Disney International Program, where she worked as a cast member at Animal Kingdom in Orlando, Florida. For two months, she experienced firsthand the organizational culture of one of the world’s most renowned companies, learning about customer service, hotel logistics, and corporate culture.
“Working at Disney was a childhood dream come true, but it was also an opportunity to learn how a global company operates from the inside and to understand the importance of creating memorable experiences for people,” she says.
In addition, during his seventh semester, he participated in an academic exchange program at the University of Lethbridgein Alberta, Canada, thanks to a scholarship from the Emerging Leaders of the Americas Program (ELAP) awarded by the Canadian government.
During this international stay, he participated in real-world marketing projects for local companies, including organizations in the tourism, food and beverage, and cultural sectors.
This exchange marked a turning point in her personal and professional development. “It was a turning point in my life. Living in another country, learning and interacting with international students, and facing new challenges helped me step out of my comfort zone and become more open to the world, ” she explains.
International Competitions and Academic Representation of the Universidad Panamericana
Because of her love of motorsports, one of the most meaningful projects of Dalia’s college years was her involvement with Bonaterra Motorsport, a multidisciplinary team of students passionate about engineering and motorsports, specializing in Formula SAE.
In this project, the alumna led the marketing and administration team, coordinating sponsor management, strategic communications, and financial planning. Thanks to her efforts, the team raised approximately 500,000 pesos in sponsorship funds, which enabled them to participate for the first time in the SAE International competition in Michigan, United States.
Finally, the team won the Best Newcomer Team award, marking a pivotal moment in its development. “Representing the National Institute of Technology ( Universidad Panamericana ) and Mexico on the international stage was an experience that filled me with pride. Those are the moments that make you appreciate all the effort and support from your family,” he says.
International Business Skills
His international experience also included participating in academic business case competitions alongside the DBL program team. In 2024, he participated in one of the most prestigious international business case competitions: the University of Münster Case Competition (UMCC) at Münster, Germany, where his team performed exceptionally well and placed fourth overall among 11 universities worldwide.
Later, he also represented the Universidad Panamericana at the John Molson International Case Competition, held in Montreal, Canada—another of the most important student competitions in the business field.
For Dalia, these experiences meant much more than just academic achievements. “Being among students from all over the world who share the same ambition helps you grow. You realize that dreams really are possible and that you can go as far as you’re willing to work.”
Leadership, Resilience, and Global Vision
Through these experiences, the alumna developed key skills for her professional growth, such as leadership, resilience, organizational skills, effective communication, and interdisciplinary teamwork.
“I’ve learned that you shouldn’t tell yourself ‘no’ before you even try. The worst that can happen is that they’ll say no, but every attempt brings you closer to achieving what you’re after,” he says.
Dalia is currently pursuing an MBA at IPADE Business School, with the goal of advancing her career in the corporate world and, in the long term, starting her own marketing agency.
He also remains interested in continuing to participate in international projects that will allow him to further broaden his professional and cultural horizons.
Internationalization as a Driver of Holistic Education
Stories like Dalia Rodríguez’s reflect the impact that international experiences can have on students’ education by broadening their cultural perspective, strengthening their professional skills, and connecting academic learning with global challenges.
For the Universidad Panamericana, internationalization is one of its fundamental strategic priorities, as it fosters opportunities that allow students to grow in multicultural environments and represent Mexico in academic settings around the world.
Discover the vision and programs that make internationalization a cornerstone of education at the Universidad Panamericana: https://www.up.edu.mx/internacional-acerca-de/
