We are proud to introduce Maria Paura, a student whose journey from Brazil to the heart of American academia embodies the spirit of inquiry and commitment that defines our Ralston community.
We’re thrilled to announce that Maria, a current student in our Humanities MA program, has been selected as a K-12 School Leader Fellow for 2025–26 at Hillsdale College—an exceptionally competitive and prestigious program dedicated to the revival of classical education.
Originally from Brazil, Maria moved to the U.S. at 15 and has pursued a remarkable academic path, earning a BA in Art History from Columbia University and completing internships at the U.S. House of Representatives and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
Reflecting on her journey, Maria writes: “I find joy and adventure in the study of the humanities... During my time studying the liberal arts in the Ivy League, I encountered the dangers of systematic skepticism and subjectivism in academia and realized that only a few institutions today are willing to cultivate our innate inclination to question and to wonder... Ralston offers the rigorous training that our tradition requires and deserves.”
Maria’s passion for truth, morality, and beauty continues to shape her goal of contributing to the revival of classical liberal arts in K-12 education. Her fellowship is a testament to her vision, dedication, and leadership—and we couldn’t be prouder.
