One aspect of his distinguished career was serving as director of education and culture for the Council of Europe. Through his connections, students participated in specialized discussions with members of the European Council, including officials from the Youth Center and the Parliamentary Assembly. This visit was particularly meaningful for Mazza, as it was his final post before retirement, and he had not set foot in that building for nearly 15 years before returning with the students.
“Gabe Mazza was such an incredible help to me and the rest of the students on our trip. Despite being a European citizen who has not attended Eckerd since before I was born, he gladly jumped at the chance to help each and every one of us and interacted with us like peers,” says Rio Edmondson, a senior international relations and global affairs and political science student from Durango, Colorado. “That is what Eckerd is all about—helping one another and being a tight-knit community no matter the time or distance.”