Why did you initially decide to become a Peacock?
I decided to become a Peacock because it was very close to where I lived at the time, Union City, NJ. I had applied to other schools in New Jersey, but very few offered me a good financial aid package like Saint Peter’s did. My family could not afford to pay much out of pocket for school, so it was the best decision for my family and me. However, now that I think about it, I think what drew me to Saint Peter’s was the fact that they believed in my potential from the beginning. I remember jumping on a Zoom call with Dr. Jennifer Ayala, and she solidified my decision to come to Saint Peter’s, mainly because of their great programs and activities in support of first generation college students. After four years, I have come to realize this was the best decision for me!
What was your major at SPU? Is that what you thought you would major in coming out of high school?
My major was history with a minor in political science. However, coming out of high school, I had applied to colleges as a biology major. At the time, I had the mentality that STEM careers would lead to more opportunities and money in the future. During my sophomore year at Saint Peter’s, I found my calling after taking a history course with Dr. John Johnson. He emailed me after I finished the class, encouraging me to become a history major or minor. Dr. Johnson’s encouragement, along with personal experiences that made me reflect on my place in this world, made me realize that I was not meant to be a scientist or medical doctor.
You were very well-known on campus for being involved in many activities – you were in multiple clubs, you were a student representative on the Commencement Committee, have spoken at a number of alumni events about your time at Saint Peter’s and even been in some social media videos! What inspired you to get involved? What was your full list of clubs and activities?
I am eternally grateful to Saint Peter’s for opening so many doors for me, and that feeling of gratitude is why I got involved on campus. One of my ways of giving back to Saint Peter’s was by becoming a student leader on campus. I began as a participant and chair of Model United Nations and then joined other clubs on campus, including Reaching After Immigrants Intellect and Success, the Student Government Association, and Living in New Directions Assistance (LINDA) Organization. Currently, I am the president of the Student Government Association, vice president of the LINDA Organization and chapter leader for Alpha Sigma Nu, the Jesuit Honor Society.
Looking back, what inspired me to get more involved on campus is love. I am someone who values connections deeply, and these leadership roles became a way for me to connect with many of my friends, faculty, staff and administrators. Being a student of history has allowed me to connect more with my sense of self, empathy and humanity. I now recognize that my purpose in life is to bring light to the lives of others, and I think that is one of the main aspects of being a student leader in a small, Jesuit university like Saint Peter’s. Finally, a deep passion for advocacy has motivated me to continue taking up space. As a Hispanic immigrant, I have experienced first-hand the disparities and gaps that come with that status. Becoming a student leader was a better way to spend these four college years in a meaningful way, especially by being a voice for students with similar backgrounds to me.
Was there a moment for you that truly cemented that this is the place you were meant to be?
A moment that truly cemented that Saint Peter’s was the right place for me was when Travis Whisler, vice president for student affairs, offered me the opportunity to speak at the 2024 Gratitude Luncheon. It was my first time speaking in front of an audience of hundreds of attendees. Although my speech was very short, I recall speaking about how we often forget to show gratitude to ourselves during the Thanksgiving season. We are often too focused on sharing gratitude with people around us, but do we really reflect on our accomplishments and what we bring to the table every single day? As I got off the stage, I remember one of my friends told me their mother cried at those words I shared–and that was a moment that made me realize that Saint Peter’s was the right place for me. I felt very proud; I never thought my words could have such an impact on other human beings until that moment. At the time, I was just a senator for the Student Government Association and an officer for a few other clubs, but it made me feel like I could do great things if I continued being a student leader as well.
As a 2026 graduate, what are your graduation plans and how did Saint Peter’s prepare you for that? Is it the path you expected? If it wasn’t, how did the skills you gained at Saint Peter’s help you figure out your new direction?
After these four years at Saint Peter’s, I intentionally applied for graduate programs at Jesuit universities in different states. This summer, I will be continuing my education at Boston College to obtain a master’s degree in curriculum & instruction in the Lynch School of Education and Human Development. This past year, I recognized that, as part of our Ignatian values, we are called to be individuals for others. During my time at Saint Peter’s, particularly as a student leader, I realized that I like to serve others, and I also worked with a summer camp in 2025 with students from various countries that visited the United States for the first time and stayed at Saint Peter’s University dormitories. This experience solidified my desire to become a teacher, and I am glad that it happened here at Saint Peter’s. As part of my graduate studies, I will be teaching history and civics this upcoming fall–and my diverse education at Saint Peter’s has definitely prepared me for what’s to come.
What advice do you have for any incoming freshman or new students at Saint Peter’s?
My advice for any incoming freshman or new students at Saint Peter’s is to be open to anything that comes your way. Many of the opportunities I have been offered on this campus come from my being available and open to accepting every challenge. Every new experience and change comes with fear and anxiety–and that is completely normal–but you should not let that stop you from experiencing and becoming the best version of yourself. To this day, even when I have given many speeches and talks in front of big audiences on campus, I still get nervous. These feelings never leave you – you simply learn to act in spite of them.