TAMIU Annual Report 2019

2019 Annual Report / AWORLDOF DIFFERENCE Julio Obscura, ’14... FromReading theGlobe to tellingGlobal Stories. What University course would you take all over again today? Anthropology 101 becauseDr. Jaclyn Jeffery encouragedus to engage in class, question ideas and rethink concepts. She was also an incredible human. Who was your favorite professor and why? Dr. ConchitaHickey and John Hickey. Their love for education and the arts is contagious. I had the opportunity to travel twicewith themas aReading the Globe Ambassador and mentor to the countries of Ghana and Turkey. It was thanks to themthat I’ve come this far. When did you know that your hard work had paid off and your degree hadmade a “World of Difference” for you? I’vehada few, butmore recently I got to spend two days with iconic portrait photographer Annie Leibovitz and she expressed howmuch she loved my photography work and also complimented my skills and talent. For those not involved in the photographyworld, there is no higher compliment than hers. And it all got started my freshman year at TAMIU’s photo lab during Photo 101. I wouldn’t say the degree made a difference. I think it was the expe- riences and opportunities that TAMIU gave me that allowed me to explore various courses and travel/study around world that gave me the tools and confidence to tackle any obstacle that came my way. What would your advice be to today’s students as they make their way through their University experience? Everything you do matters. Every second spent learning anything should be embraced… especially if it interests you. Your hobby can become your life’s work. What’s your proudest accomplishment to date? I had a full circlemoment: My freshman year (2009) I had the oppor- tunity to be a TAMIU Reading the Globe Ambassador in the country of Ghana. During our time in Ghana we passed by Jubilee (the presi- dential palace) where I was told I couldn’t take photos. Ten years later, I traveled back to Ghana -- this time as an official photographer to Speaker Nancy Pelosi -- to document the historic trip during the year of return. During this visit we were welcomed to Jubilee and I was the only photographer allowed to take photos at the building where I was once told I couldn’t take photos. This has been one of my most meaningful accomplishments. Tell us what you’re doing today career or life-wise and what you look forward to each day: I’mthe CreativeDirector and theOfficial Photographer for the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi. I create, design, and direct visual content for the Speaker’s socialmedia accounts and also content distributed to all House Democratic Members of Congress to maintain unified messaging. Everyday I look forward to learning something new. I get a thrill to beat reporters to publish the first and best photo ofmy boss, and tofindbetterways to combine technology and storytelling to create awareness on issues that affect us all. Obscura visits Istanbul, Turkey in 2013.