Alumna's Journey from Spain to Kutztown to the United Nations

Rita Muro came to Kutztown University on an unconventional, yet successful, journey.  An alum of the class of 2019, Muro graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, with a double minor in History and Public Administration. 

With the encouragement of her parents, her passion for government and field hockey led her from her hometown of Barcelona, Spain, to the United States, a move she considers “brave.” 

“In Spain, this concept of athletics and universities doesn’t go as glued as in the U.S.” Muro explained. “Universities (in Spain) don’t really have all these athletic programs.”

In order to pursue field hockey while in college, it was essential for her to find a college to attend in the United States.  

“One of the first people I talked to was Coach (Marci) Scheuing from Kutztown,” Muro said. She recalled how kind and respectful Coach Scheuing was in their conversation. After receiving her athletic scholarship offer, Muro was sure of her decision.

“Everything that Kutztown was offering me made me decide ‘Okay, let’s go to Kutztown.’”

Muro’s professors and coaches were key factors in her success as a K.U. student, notably professors Kritstin Bremer, Robert Portada and Steve Lem. 

“They made Kutztown a better place for me,” she explained. This was evident when it came to her dreams of joining the United Nations.“They made me feel I had what it takes to get there and go after what I wanted professionally.” 

Aside from academics, Muro expressed how accommodating her professors were about her being a student-athlete. 

“They knew I was on the field hockey team and were very nice about it. And motivational,” she said.

Her success academically eventually opened opportunities to work as a Project Assistant for what is now the Department of Philosophy and Government. Muro expressed the importance of the skills she gained from her student job had for her career, learning through tasks such as transcription and using mapping software.

“For me, it was great,” Muro said. “It really helped for my internships. I could say, "Oh, I’m helping my professors with different things.'” 

Not only did she gain experience, but the professors and faculty Muro worked with would support her in career development. 

“Even after I graduated, they provided me with letters of recommendation for jobs and for my master’s degree. I’m very thankful.”

Because of her experience as a Project Assistant, Muro interned for the Public Leadership Education Network in her junior year.

Her education, supportive professors, internship and student work experience would all pay off when she attained an internship with the United Nations the summer she graduated from K.U. She served in the Office of Intergovernmental Support and Coordination for Sustainable Development until she landed a job as a Security Council Affairs Officer for the Permanent Mission of Malta during the country’s four-year term at the U.N.

“I got hired by Malta as an intern,” Muro began. “They quickly opened full-time positions. Then, I got hired.”

Her work for Malta required her to manage and distribute documents and follow security and press briefings, specifically when it came to reporting on conflicts occurring in the Middle East as it related to Malta’s foreign policies.

Since the end of Malta’s successful term, Muro has remained busy with life rather than work. A newlywed, she has taken time to enjoy a “slow” season for the first time in nearly a decade after graduating. Despite this, Muro is still curious about what is next for her career. 

“I think I would like to get experience outside of the U.N,” Muro said, “Just to see how I can apply it all to a different field. I think it would be really cool to be a geopolitics analyst.” 

For students looking to pursue a similar career path, Muro encouraged exploring internships while in school. 

“Ask professors about internships. Getting that real-world experience before graduating is key to building a resumé and making meaningful connections.” 

By Ayana Cruz '27