Angel Hernandez
When someone or something changes your life for the better, the best way to say thank you is to do the same for others. The Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) changed Angel Hernandez's life, and now he is changing lives at Stockton University.
"I wish someone spoke to me about budgeting, not living beyond my means, and the importance of slowing down... This fuels my desire to have authentic (and even difficult) conversations with students to help them avoid making similar mistakes."
As an EOF student, I had to come to terms with the painful reality that we all experienced: P-12 education with varying levels of academic preparation, financial stability, access to resources and social and emotional support. I questioned many times if I was enough - smart ENOUGH, eloquent ENOUGH, and prepared ENOUGH.
One of the biggest struggles I faced in undergrad was living beyond my means to fit in and keep up with students that could afford things I could not. I depleted my high school savings by the end of my first semester of college, so I had to work. At one point, I was studying full-time, working two jobs, and also held two internships. There were countless nights when I was working or doing homework while my peers were socializing and having fun.
My experience was different because of my socioeconomic status and need to work. I wish someone spoke to me about budgeting, not living beyond my means, and the importance of slowing down, taking in the moment, and striving for balance and wellness. I wish I didn’t pressure myself to “keep up” with my friends and classmates. I worked so much that I was always stressed and tired - this was my norm. This fuels my desire to have authentic (and even difficult) conversations with students to help them avoid making similar mistakes.
As associate director of EOF and co-chair of First Ospreys at Stockton, I get to “pay it forward” and help students from similar backgrounds who are highly motivated and capable, but lack adequate preparation and/or the financial means for college.
There is a “village” of faculty, staff and alum who are here to mentor, guide, and assist students. We want you to surpass us and to continue to break barriers.
My advice is to take in as much as you can and to try new things. Go to office hours, attend campus events, join clubs, engage in service-learning and find ways to pay it forward - that’s where growth happens!
This Voice was originally published in 2020. At the time of publication, Hernandez was associate director of EOF and eventually director of EOF - Atlantic City. He is now working as director of Academic Advising at a university in Texas.
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