Mario Alvarez is a New York native and recent Columbia College graduate. Having earned a B.A. in American History (20th Century), Mario comes to the OHMA program eager to develop his love for history in a more interactive and engaging form. While an undergraduate, Mario was the head coordinator for the ESL (English as a Second Language) program at Community Impact, the largest non-profit organization on Columbia’s campus. In that role, he helped thousands of adult immigrants to New York gain access to free English courses. His research interests include American political campaigns, the history of hip-hop, and the all-too-complex stories behind American racial identities.