Alison Cortes: The Spirit of Upstate
For the many people who know her, Alison Cortes embodies Spartan spirit. The senior biology major is involved in many activities, from leading campus tours as a student ambassador for Admissions to organizing cultural events as president of the Latin American Student Organization (LASO).
But behind her many titles and accomplishments is someone who simply loves the Upstate community and the place that has shaped her.
“I love getting to show off campus,” Cortes says. “I spend lots of time here, so I love getting to show people things like my friends, and where I go to study … It’s so rewarding, getting to meet people and make them feel welcome.”
That sense of belonging is what helped Alison choose Upstate in the first place. As someone who is part of a minority demographic and who enjoys being a leader, she understands how important it is to feel seen and supported.
“At my high school, there were situations where you feel misplaced. You don’t see people that look like you, and people judge you or think about you in a certain way, trying to tell you that ‘you’re the diversity inclusion’ as if my work wasn’t just my work,” she says. “And coming to Upstate, a big thing I loved was the diversity amongst the student population.”
Cortes has eagerly sought out opportunities to serve others. She’s a Chancellor’s Ambassador, a MedEx Ambassador for the School of Medicine in Greenville, a marketing intern for USC Upstate Athletics, and being a member of multiple honor societies and clubs on campus.
Balancing all of these commitments has not been easy for Cortes, especially as a commuter. But for her, the extra effort is worth it, even if it means giving up some free time.
“I had lectures in the morning, and then labs in the afternoons,” she says. “So, in the middle of the day, if I had a gap, I would give a tour and go talk to people.”
The connections with students, faculty, and staff are what Cortes says she will remember most after she graduates.
“All of the connections, all of the people have had such an impact. Not just on me, personally, but my family as a whole,” she says. “I have a younger sister; she decided to come here as well … Getting to finish my last year of college with my sister here has just been amazing!”
After graduation, Alison plans to apply to a physician associate program, with USC Columbia as her top choice. Her classes have made her feel prepared academically while her exposure to different types of people and situations has made her comfortable professionally.
“Getting to handle things like language barriers, or age differences, or confusion, helps develop those critical thinking skills or those soft skills,” she says.
For Cortes, Upstate is about connection. It is about making sure every student feels like they belong, in the same way others did for her.
“It’s not cookie-cutter,” she says. “We all get along, we go out, we do our stuff … just being here feels like a hug.”