Kalamazoo Alum Awarded Critical Language Scholarship, Pursues Master’s in Taiwan

Daniel Mota-Villegas, a new Kalamazoo College Posse alum, graduated last spring with degrees in East Asian studies, political science and psychology. He has been selected for the Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program, a prestigious fellowship for American students learning critical foreign languages.

The CLS Program provides intensive language and cultural instruction. Following his CLS experience, Daniel plans to move to Taiwan to pursue a two-year international master’s degree in Asia-Pacific studies (IMAS) at National ChengChi University. He secured the Taiwan Scholarship to sponsor his research on cross-strait relations as he seeks to understand more about the Asia-Pacific region. The program encourages international students to pursue degree programs in Taiwan and promotes mutual understandings between international communities.

“The unconditional support from my Posse and the upper-class Posses enabled me to take risks in and outside the classroom.”

Daniel’s coursework at Kalamazoo, including his senior thesis on cross-strait relations from the perspective of Taiwanese young adults, strongly influenced his decision to study abroad. While in Taiwan, he plans to continue building upon his interests while gaining a new personal perspective on Taiwanese culture and society.

Daniel credits his own Posse experience with preparing him to engage in productive discourse of contemporary societal issues, teaching him how to create safe spaces to support his community.

“The unconditional support from my Posse and the upper-class Posses enabled me to take risks in and outside the classroom,” he says. “As a result, I was able to seize academic and extracurricular opportunities for my growth as a scholar of political science and as an active citizen in my community.”

Upon completing the Taiwan Scholarship, Daniel aims to become a Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Department of State, striving for a role where he can help expand and promote diplomatic relations with foreign countries.

“I understand strong diplomatic relations increase opportunities for families, like my own, to immigrate to the United States and lead happy, fulfilling lives,” says Daniel. “I am determined to become a Foreign Service Officer to expand diplomatic relations with foreign countries, securing opportunities for our nation’s next generation to thrive in the United States.”