Marcos Bravo ’97 is a well-known and respected businessman in his home country of Panama. Residents often point to him as an excellent example of what to do when looking for a successful career, and Bravo credits his success to the education he received from the University of Central Arkansas.
Bravo was one of six children and grew up in a rural part of the country. “My family didn’t the economic resources to even send us to high school so we had to work hard,” he said.
Marcos Bravo
In 1993, Bravo applied to receive aid from a program then known as CLASP – Central Latin American Scholarship Program, a part of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). He became one of 40 recipients for a scholarship to universities across the United States and one of four who would attend UCA.
“When I think of all those experiences together, and of course, my university studies being my main goal, I can say it was the best experience I’ve had in my life,” Bravo said. “And it’s not just because of the friendly people I met, but also the support I received from professors and administrators.”
Bravo worked hard both inside and outside the classroom while at UCA. He had jobs as a resident assistant, a cafeteria worker, and a Walmart cashier, to name a few. After earning his bachelor’s degree in international trade and accounting, Bravo returned to Panama. He taught English for about six months before he found a job in his field in December 1997. He had several promotions and is now working at a Swiss-based company called Syngenta as a financial compliance manager for Latin America.
“From then until now it has been a wonderful professional experience.”
Marcos says the scholarship program opportunity and the education he received at UCA opened doors that allowed his children to experience a lifestyle much different from his own. Omar and Alanis Bravo have grown up hearing about their father’s time at UCA. In January, Bravo came back to Conway to drop off his son at his alma mater. Omar Bravo is following in his father’s footsteps and studying business. Bravo relished showing his son around town. While the UCA campus has changed a lot since 1997, Bravo says there is still a familiar feel to the university that brought back many great memories.
“I took Omar by Baridon Hall which is where I lived when I was here,” Bravo said. “It was surprising to see Donaghey Hall because I remember it being a Papa Johns. I talked to my kids a lot about Papa Johns.”
Bravo smiles and embraces a sense of nostalgia as he remembers his time at UCA. He looks forward to hearing about his son’s adventures and hopes Alanis will also choose UCA.
“UCA has given me everything,” Bravo said. “I have a good family and a good reputation in my country. The economic impact on my life has been wonderful. I could not ask for more.”
