SAN ANTONIO -- University of the Incarnate Word Life Skills Coordinator Amanda Pulido joined UIW in 2015. She works closely with the student-athletes as the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee advisor, while also assisting them with their professional development and coordinating community service.

We checked in with her to see what her role is and what her favorite part about working with the student-athletes on a daily basis. 
 

Q: What is your role as the Life Skills Coordinator? What is your favorite thing about this role?

I'm charged with overseeing the professional development and community engagement of 550-plus student-athletes. I also oversee the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). My favorite part of this role is that it encompasses many moving pieces. I have the opportunity to work with student-athletes on their future careers, assist them with well-being issues, provide them personal mentorship, help them with conflict management, and coordinate numerous activities to enhance their experience at UIW. I love working with such a unique and diverse group of student-athletes. Everyone brings something different to the table, and they definitely keep me on my toes. To guide student-athletes through the highs and lows of their college experience is extremely rewarding.

Q: At what age/under what circumstances did you start playing sports?

I started playing sports at age 8 as a means of connecting with my older brother. My first sport was basketball, but The Lord knows that was not my calling. I was a three-sport athlete in junior high and high school. I threw Division I track and field at the University of Texas at El Paso (Go Miners!), and that was by far the most rewarding and challenging experience of my life. Sports is a constant in my life and has taught me many lessons. I've learned that sports has the capacity to bridge communities and make the world more inclusive.

Q: What is something the community doesn't know about you?

I'm proud to be a third-generation Mexican-American. My great-grandfather was assigned to federal duty as a Calvary officer in command of a horse mounted escort troop in Mexico. This troop would escort President Porfirio Díaz of Mexico when he was invited to meet with the President of the United States at the time, William H. Taft, in 1909. In the year, 1910 the Mexican Revolution had begun and Pancho Villa took my great-grandfather as a prisoner as his army invaded Juarez, Mexico. The head General at Ft. Bliss, Texas intervened and negotiated my great-grandfather's transfer to Ft. Bliss for safe keeping. A few days later, General Pershing of Ft. Bliss released my great-grandfather and advised them to stay in El Paso. My family is full of rich Mexican and American culture, and I'm proud to be El Paso Strong. I wear my city and my culture with pride every day. I also love encouraging our student-athletes to embrace and understand their cultures and appreciate the cultures of others.
 

Q: What made you pursue a career in athletics?

It's extremely funny because upon completion of my undergraduate degree (in Organizational Communication), I was unsure of what to do next. My mentor, Lisa Campos (current Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics at the University of Texas at San Antonio) offered me a Graduate Assistant Position in Video Production at UTEP. I knew nothing about videos or graphics at that time, and was hesitant to take the position. Lisa heavily insisted and I completed a semester of that work and then moved into the Life Skills Graduate Assistant Position at UTEP. If Lisa hadn't been intentional with my future, I would not be where I am today. Her actions have led me to practice intentionality with my work and the student-athletes at UIW. It's important to know that we shouldn't treat all student-athletes the same. Some need different encouragement, different resources, different support and different guidance. Addressing the inclusive needs of athletic administrators, coaches and student-athletes is of upmost importance in the current scope of college athletics.
 

Q: In the middle of these unique and uncertain times, have you been able to find a routine that works? If so, what is it?

These are most definitely uncertain times, but I'm not sure if college athletics is a career that necessarily screams "Routine!" No day is routine, especially in quarantine. You have to remain focused and complete important tasks, stay open and honest with others, and be ready for anything to happen. The most important thing I can say about times of certainty or uncertainty is that you need to take care of yourself before you can even think about serving/helping others. I take care of myself through constant self-care. I find time to workout, talk with family and friends, practice my daily devotionals, I've recently taken up coloring, and I'm not too ashamed to say that my Netflix game is on "fleek."

Q: What keeps you motivated right now, and how do you share that motivation with your student-athletes to help encourage them?

Hope keeps me motivated. I hope for a smooth return to college athletics. I hope to see the student-athletes soon. I hope to see my family soon. I hope to see live sports soon! Until then, we keep doing good work and being good people because that is who God calls us to be. I encourage our student-athletes to stay steadfast, and do what works for them. I stay in contact with student-athletes through text, emails, phone calls and zoom calls. I try my best to keep them engaged with various activities and sending them resources. I'm readily available for student-athletes seeking help because you never know when that is going to be. Most importantly I encourage them to be kind to themselves, be courageous and be confident.


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To learn more about the Life Skills Department click HERE and follow them on Twitter @UIW_LifeSkills and on Instagram @uiw_lifeskills.