Alma Barranco-Mendoza ’90 – Volunteer Profile
For Alma Barranco-Mendoza ‘90, volunteering has always been an enriching experience, a way to meet new people and contribute to causes she feels passionate about.
“When I was a teenager, I often volunteered at seniors’ homes because I really love my grandparents. There are so many seniors who don’t have families or who don’t often see their families. I loved talking with them or playing piano for them. It was really wonderful to see how such a small action brightened their day.”
Alma, who grew up in Mexico, shares that she had several options when it came to choosing a university, but Trent’s strong sense of community and giving back really resonated with her. So, when she came to Trent as an international student, she continued her spirit of volunteerism, giving back to the country and community that welcomed her.
“For me, attending university was not just about academic mastery, sharing the knowledge you gain is what makes it meaningful. Trent and Canada have given me so much, and giving back is a way to show gratefulness for all that I have gained. By volunteering, I learned a lot about Canada and its people, and I met wonderful people along the way, many of whom have become lifelong friends.”
While obtaining her undergraduate degree in Mathematics and Computer Studies and master’s in Applications of Modelling in the Natural and Social Sciences at Trent, Alma was heavily involved in several student organizations. She served as president of the Trent International Student Association and was involved with the Math Society, Trent Orchestra, Trent International Program, and Trent International Choir. Alma also volunteered her time and musical talents at various churches and community centres, such as the Kawartha World Issues Centre. After graduating, Alma built what later became Trent’s alumni database, in an effort to stay in touch with her international friends.
“At that stage, there really was almost nothing with regards to the computers and people were not using them in our everyday lives. Yet, I wanted to stay in touch with my international friends, so I started gathering information about international alumni to build a database. This grew into the first alumni database at Trent.”
Alma has been a constant in the Trent community for the past 30 years, often mentoring students and visiting the University as a guest speaker. She is an active member of the Vancouver Alumni Chapter, serving on its leadership team for seven years, and was recently appointed as the co-president of the Trent Alumni Association.
“Being part of the Alumni Association and the Vancouver Chapter has been a wonderful experience. I have met some incredibly special people – from current students through to people who graduated in the early days of Trent back in the 1960s. It is great to see that, even though we all experienced Trent at different stages, the essence of the University remains the same – we all care deeply about our community, the environment, and social justice. I think it is really special to meet people who share those values with you.”
As a business executive and entrepreneur, Alma has worked in a wide range of industries – from higher education to software development and the biomedical industry. She is also the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of consulting agency Infogenetica Solutions Ltd. in Vancouver, BC, and attributes much of her career success to the network she has built through volunteering.
“I always say that you get out of life as much as you put in. Therefore, I think volunteering is not only for others but also for yourself. I have had so many wonderful opportunities and experiences and met some wonderful people through volunteering. In fact, I think every job that I’ve held since moving to Canada is in some way linked to a particular volunteer experience I’ve had, and because these jobs were linked with something I am passionate about, I have loved every one of them.”