Breaking down borders: ASU grad learns importance of international trade for global economy
Humberto Camacho received the Undergraduate Barton Kyle Yount Award. This award is presented to a student who best represents the values and standards envisioned by the founders of Thunderbird in 1946 and is the school’s highest student honor.
Editor’s note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable spring 2024 graduates.
Humberto Camacho was born and raised in the border town of Nogales, Arizona. As a Mexican American and bilingual speaker, he always knew he wanted to pursue a degree that would enable him to make a meaningful contribution to U.S.-Mexico relations and global cooperation.
Camacho will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in International Trade from the Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University. He believes that the synergy between ASU and Thunderbird was the perfect environment for him to study and equip himself with the tools necessary to make a lasting, positive impact on the world.
"I have always had a global mindset and wanted to make a difference, starting with my community. ASU prides itself on who it includes, rather than who it excludes, and is dedicated to tackling society's most significant challenges. Similarly, Thunderbird's vision is to promote sustainable and inclusive prosperity worldwide. I learned from that language, culture, or location are not barriers for like-minded individuals who want to make a global, positive impact on the world,” he said.
Currently, Camacho is interning with the Attorney General Alliance Partnership, a cooperative program that strengthens the U.S. and Mexico legal systems. He also works as a supplemental instruction leader at Thunderbird, assisting students in understanding complex concepts in accounting and finance courses. After graduation, Camacho aspires to explore international relations and supply chain realms, poised to make a tangible difference on a global scale.
Looking toward the future, Camacho shared that he takes life one step at a time and has learned to fall in love with the journey, not the destination.
"I wake up every day trying to be a better person in all areas of my life: personally, professionally, academically, athletically, socially, emotionally, etc. Even if I get just 1% better every day, sustained long-term growth will inevitably lead to success. You can't change the world overnight, so start by changing and improving yourself," he said.
Camacho is the recipient of the Spring 2024 Barton Kyle Yount Undergraduate Student Award. This award, presented to a student who best represents the values and standards envisioned by the founders of Thunderbird in 1946, is the school’s highest student honor.
Camacho said his advice to incoming Thunderbird students is to “seize every moment, embrace the journey, and invest in relationships.” He encourages them to cherish the unique experience and strive for personal growth.
Question: What has your experience at Thunderbird been like?
Answer: My experience has been nothing short of amazing. Not only have I learned so much about being a successful global manager and leader, but I have also built lasting relations with peers and professors whom I am happy to call my friends and mentors.
Which professor taught you the most important lesson while at Thunderbird?
Answer: I can not choose one professor since every professor here has taught me invaluable lessons in academia and the real world. One of the most important lessons learned was that those who succeed can adapt to change and seize emerging opportunities, especially in the rapidly evolving world we live in now.
Question: What is your favorite story from your time at Thunderbird?
Answer: Again, I have so many great memories from Thunderbird, but one that stands out is my group project for our Global Marketing class. It was one of my first-ever group projects at Thunderbird. I remember how amazing it was to work with peers from different countries, sharing unique, creative perspectives, approaches, and solutions to the project. After we delivered our final presentation, I worked with a team of international consultants.
Question: What would you tackle if someone gave you $40 million to solve one problem on our planet?
Answer: I would work to solve the lack of education in developing countries. While I could not completely solve this problem, I would significantly improve our situation. For as long as I can remember, education has been the most determining factor for newer generations, improving their socioeconomic status or quality of life. We are all born with innate curiosity and a desire to learn more about the world around us. For many kids, all it takes is a bit of encouragement and support and the right resources to provide them with the life-changing experience of education.
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