Syracuse University

Why did you choose SU?
I knew that if I wanted to open doors of opportunity, I needed to be in a highly diverse academic institution located away from Brooklyn. SU has a renowned study abroad program, a comprehensive division of student affairs, abundant academic support, and numerous organizations that promote student involvement.  All of these factors made SU credible to me.

What has been your most meaningful experience so far?
I took a class called Women's Dialogue on Race and Ethnicity. It was evident to me that students at SU usually gravitate toward ethnic enclaves. Doing so prevents them from experiencing how well the campus celebrates the many ethnicities, sexual orientations, geographic origins, religious traditions, and other features that make up our community. I learned to respect and embrace diversity, and became motivated to branch out of the "normal Latino network" at SU and get to know more people on campus. The empathy, discussions, and emotions the class evoked really helped me love SU and want to create positive change at the institution. One of my proudest accomplishments is initiating the First Annual Diversity Ball through the student organization La LUCHA (Latino Undergraduates Creating History in America). The event was collaborative effort among 16 organizations on campus, to highlight our rich diversity and enjoy performances from various cultures. Also, as the proud president of Los Colores, I helped the organization get more involved with local high school students. We have two active programs now, as opposed to one active program last year. Los Colores is a group of Spanish-speaking students who assist families with move-in and orientation in August, and we're expanding its function through new programs like the ones in the high schools.

What's the secret of your success at SU?
There is no secret to my success here. I believe every student has the ability to succeed just as much as I have; it's just a matter of taking advantage of the resources we all have as students. There are a lot of influential people who have either been in my life or who are still currently in my life who consistently remind me that as a student of color, a woman, and a Latina from Brooklyn, New York, I must utilize those resources and make sure that I keep in mind the progress of community while I am in the process of advancing myself.

How have you changed since you've been here?
On a personal level, SU has helped me become more open-minded, outspoken, and personable. On a professional level, it has taught me how to market and promote myself, to ensure that I make my mark where ever I go.

What do you plan to do after you graduate?
I hope to secure a job with a government agency, so I can use my expertise to help developing countries establish better and more efficient economic systems, enabling them to overcome poverty, malnutrition, lack of education. I hope to help them increase their ability to compete in a global market as well. I'm considering starting a community program, too.