Liza Garza • Performance Activism
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“A non-traditional student? What is that?” laughs Liza Garza. “My whole life is non-traditional.”
Liza is the single mother of two young boys who bring her boundless joy, yet has experienced more pain and loss in her 27 years than most do in a lifetime. She is a UM-Flint Maize & Blue award recipient. She is relentless. She is a mother. She is a leader. She is an artist. Liza Garza is UM-Flint.
After receiving an associates degree in graphic design from Baker College, Liza was preparing to move to Texas. Then something prompted her to visit UM-Flint – something the Flint native had never done. She spoke to an admissions counselor who, “wanted to hear my story, not give me a sales pitch. She, and the university, made a wonderful first impression.”
That year, UM-Flint offered the Mott Educational Opportunities Initiative scholarship. Liza applied and got it. “It was a full ride. It included daycare, a stipend for books, everything. I was so thrilled. Everything fell into place.”
Aimi Moss, Liza’s academic advisor, described to her the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies requirements – whereby, Liza could create her own degree, her own major. “You have to submit the rationale for it, the courses you will take in order to earn the degree, have it endorsed by four faculty members, and come up with a title. My degree will be in performance activism – using performance art to spur and initiate new thought and new action, thus creating change. This is not art for art’s sake.
The departments she pulled from were: Communication, for the technical, tactical public speaking instruction and etiquette; Theatre, for how to use your body, the space around your body and your presence to be commanding; Africana Studies, because Liza believes all people should know more about themselves and their history; English, to work on the craft of writing and expose herself to the great poets and writers; Education, for classes on folklore and storytelling; and so many other courses – all with real, valid and applicable knowledge.
Someday, after her career as a performance activist Liza would like to become a college professor, teaching performance activism.
Liza is the single mother of two young boys who bring her boundless joy, yet has experienced more pain and loss in her 27 years than most do in a lifetime. She is a UM-Flint Maize & Blue award recipient. She is relentless. She is a mother. She is a leader. She is an artist. Liza Garza is UM-Flint.
After receiving an associates degree in graphic design from Baker College, Liza was preparing to move to Texas. Then something prompted her to visit UM-Flint – something the Flint native had never done. She spoke to an admissions counselor who, “wanted to hear my story, not give me a sales pitch. She, and the university, made a wonderful first impression.”
That year, UM-Flint offered the Mott Educational Opportunities Initiative scholarship. Liza applied and got it. “It was a full ride. It included daycare, a stipend for books, everything. I was so thrilled. Everything fell into place.”
Aimi Moss, Liza’s academic advisor, described to her the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies requirements – whereby, Liza could create her own degree, her own major. “You have to submit the rationale for it, the courses you will take in order to earn the degree, have it endorsed by four faculty members, and come up with a title. My degree will be in performance activism – using performance art to spur and initiate new thought and new action, thus creating change. This is not art for art’s sake.
The departments she pulled from were: Communication, for the technical, tactical public speaking instruction and etiquette; Theatre, for how to use your body, the space around your body and your presence to be commanding; Africana Studies, because Liza believes all people should know more about themselves and their history; English, to work on the craft of writing and expose herself to the great poets and writers; Education, for classes on folklore and storytelling; and so many other courses – all with real, valid and applicable knowledge.
Someday, after her career as a performance activist Liza would like to become a college professor, teaching performance activism.