Growing up in Cali, Colombia, soccer was Diego’s entire life. But when he realized that perhaps he wouldn’t be able to become a professional soccer player, he started to expand his goals for his life. He loves his native country, but he was drawn to the US because of the ability to pursue an education and to continue playing soccer at the same time.  

Many other colleges with impressive soccer programs gained the interest of Diego in his college search. But he says what ended up helping him make the decision to come to Anderson was his meeting with the coaches. “When I talked with Michael Zion, who is our head coach,” he says, “and Sergio Tapia, our assistant coach, they showed this interest in me, and they let me know that if I came here, it was just not about soccer. It was about building up my future, my education.”  

This well-rounded approach to his academic, spiritual, and physical development is what confirmed Anderson as the right choice for Diego. Since high school, he had a growing interest in the world of finance and investment, and this seemed the perfect opportunity for him to learn more.  

Diego remembers when he first came to Anderson, and how he “didn’t know anything about anything.” As it was the first time he was in the United States, he had to get his own driver’s license and open his own bank accounts. Due to his independence and drive in obtaining these, the AU Center for Global Engagement offered him the position of being an ambassador for other international students. He offered advice and support for them in many areas, not just the practical steps. “All of the problems I went through helped me to help others, so they don’t go through that,” he says.   

Then, in meetings with his professors, he learned of other opportunities to deepen his educational experience. In addition to being on the soccer team, Diego works with The Cauthen Student Investment Fund and has had an internship at Bosch for the past year. Through these internships, he can apply all he has learned in the classroom in real life. The Cauthen Student Investment Fund supports Anderson University students studying business and finance to gain hands-on experience managing an investment portfolio. It allows students the opportunity to manage real money—and use its profits to make the world a better place. “I came without knowing anything about finance, about economy, about the business world,” he says. “And after three years here, I think I’m prepared to get out of here and get a job, you know?”  

He appreciates how the Cauthen Investment Fund provides mentors in the form of field professionals who help him apply his knowledge. For his internship with Bosch, it was originally supposed to be one rotation, but they were so impressed with his work that they offered him two more rotations, and he will continue working with them until he graduates in May. “It’s been great just because I have all of these tools in a company where I can use the things I learned here in the accounting classes,” he reflects.  

Diego’s dedication and drive does not stop at the classroom, however. This past soccer season, he scored 8 goals and 4 assists and helped the team be the third seed in their conference. This was his last soccer season, and he thinks it was his best, considering how his early seasons were riddled with injuries that required two surgeries. He’s found community within the soccer team and spends a lot of his time at the soccer field building, hanging out with his teammates and studying while he does his rehab.  

Diego expressed that he wants to continue his education after graduating from AU, since he wants to become a Certified Public Accountant. He wants to prove to future employers that he is a cut above the rest, and this drive keeps him going. 

While at Anderson, Diego has been able to witness and partake in American culture, part of which is the Southern evangelical Christian culture, which differs from his Catholic upbringing. “There are some things that change,” he says, “but in the end, it’s the love you have for God.” And he’s been able to share this love of God with others, like his teammates who he attends church with.  

Even in his free time, Diego is constantly pursuing self-improvement. He likes to read books that help him see how his habits form him, and how he can become a better person. “I love to read about finance and investment,” he adds.  

Diego Jaramillo is truly the cream of the crop: he is dedicated, hardworking, and a superstar on the soccer field. “I came to Anderson as a high school kid, you know?” he says. “And now I think I’m living as an adult. So, I just look back and see all of the people that were with me in the locker room, in the soccer team, and all of the things that have been changing in my life. And it’s been great.”