Overall experience :DD

I can say that this was a life changing experience. As how Laura mentioned, When I applied for HACU I didn't know what to expect because I had not been there yet, I wanted to seek information from the people that have already gone in the past. I wondered if there was anyone else applying, I wondered if the other applicants were going to get chosen and not me. Many things ran through my mind when I applied. I had applied the last day and turned in my application last minute due to the fact that I was busy, but then I thought to myself  "I will apply for this opportunity, to educate me, to give me experience, and also because it was an opportunity to travel to a different place. This was the first time I have ever been on an airplane and traveling far away from home. I really enjoyed this experience and I would do it all over. Advocating for Hispanic education was putting myself behind and putting all others in front of me. If I were to write everything we learned and talked about I would stay here late. There was so much information to process, and reflect on. We have received and viewed different perspectives from other people towards higher education. On March 15,2016 it was our last day in Washington D.C. That day was the moment we were all waiting for.. the day to advocate. I honestly felt we were all making a difference, and that all of what we advocated for they were going to take into consideration. I want to mention that on the Student 101 advocacy, Deborah Koolbeck, taught us to have confidence in what we were going to say, and to get straight to the point. This was what really impacted me and I really felt we all had the confidence to advocate, that whatever we were advocating for it will be done soon. I plan to make a workshop for Cochise college, and all students who would like to advocate for Hispanic's higher education. They will all be welcome. This is an opportunity to speak out that advocating to make a difference is very important. Also I want to thank all of the committee who dedicated their time to interview students and decide. I would also want to give Susana Greeno a special thank you for all of her hard work, and for being a great chaperon! I met really amazing people. I know that our message to students will be to encourage other students to make a difference in their community, and schools. I am truly honored to have received this opportunity, and I look forward to working with other students in my community college. THANK YOU!

Washington DC Experience

This trip far exceeded my expectations, from learning United States history, and gaining a sense that one person opinions really do matter. The conference not only educated me on the most current issues we face today, but taught me how to simply talk to congress by talking clear and direct to get my points across. I can bring these skills into my future job of becoming a teacher. This trip was an honor attending and inspired me to work even harder to make a change in society through all the skills I learned in the short four days being in Washington DC. Coming home I recommended this program to my fellow friends and other students because how much it impact my life for the better. I love every moment of the trip and I will share this experience for years to come.

Also, having the courage to stand up just to ask a question could not have been done  unless I had the other students motivation. They are amazing people and I will always remember them, and making me a better person. 

HACU Experience

When I first applied for HACU, I was not aware that I was making one of the most important decisions of my life. As I was doing my resume, goal statement and interviews I often wondered if at the end this would really be worth it. Now, that I am back from Washington, D.C. I realized that getting selected to attend to Washington, D.C. was such an amazing opportunity. I am an advocate of my community, my university, and also for Hispanic students. The importance of these conferences and being able to talk to Representatives of our state made me realize how blessed I really am for being selected to attend to HACU. My overall experience in this trip was wonderful! I was able to gain more knowledge and experience about subjects that passionate me the most. I am extremely thankful to my university, the University of Arizona South for selecting me to represent them in Washington, D.C. I made sure I came back with answers and new information to advocate for those students, specially Hispanic students, who are struggling to receive higher education. In this trip, I was able to view higher education from a different prospective. Education gives us choice and it allows us to work in what we love the most. It is very important to send students to conferences like HACU because they allow students to advocate for other students and to get involved to make a difference. This was a life changing experience that I believe we should all have the opportunity to have. I will never forget this experience and the fact that it has changed my life forever!

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world."

-Nelson Mandela

Highlight of the Day - Day Three

Today we went to Capitol Hill to represent our colleges and universities and to advocate for other students going into higher education. Susana prepared us with weeks in advance about the topics we would like to address with representatives of our state. We had the opportunity to have scheduled meetings with Senator Jeff Flake, Congressman Raul Grijalva, and Congresswomen Martha McSally to advocate for concerns that we have as Hispanic students that are in the process of receiving higher education.

We began our day by listening to a conference with other students attending to HACU while eating breakfast. After that, we had a quick meeting to learn basic ways that we could approach our Representatives in a professional way. The highlight of my day today was not only walking through high security connected tunnels in Capitol Hill, being able to watch President Barack Obama pass by in his car, but also being able to talk to the Representatives in a personal way and to know that they are interested and that they understand the importance of Hispanic higher education and support it.

In my opinion, the barriers we as Hispanics face the most, are financial barriers. In Capitol Hill I was able to advocate for those who struggle with Financial Aid. I discussed about how many times, Financial Aid becomes a barrier in order for students to complete a higher education. We first met with Elizabeth Jones, Senator Flake’s Legislative Correspondent, and I was able to present a proposal for an increase in Financial Aid for four year institutions, to create a less complicated form of Financial Aid, and that there should also be a summer Pell Grant in order for students to finish their education at a faster pace.

I was very excited today that I got to meet Congressman Raul Grijalva. I advocated for the same things as the previous meeting with Elizabeth Jones, but this time, Congressman Grijalva was present. I felt that he really understood the barriers that we face in higher education. I was felt extremely important during this meeting because he took the time to sit with us and listen to what we had to tell him.

Finally, we had the opportunity to speak to one of Congresswomen Martha McSally’s Legislative Correspondent. With Congresswomen McSally we were able to discuss more issues that take place directly in our communities. We addressed the issue about Douglas not having a hospital and also that our town lacks of recreational activities for children, youth, adults, and families as a whole.

Today was an informative day full of new experiences and adventures. I am really not looking forward for tomorrow because it is our last day here, but I am hoping that this is not the last time that I am here.

A Life Changing Experience

After really thinking about these past couple days it hit me, I won't experience that kind of environment ever again. Everyone from UA South and Cochise College and Pima College who attended the HACU Capitol Forum in Washington D.C made this experience a memorable one. I went into this event thinking that I knew the importance of higher education and I gained even more knowledge of the importance of higher education and the struggles we as hispanics face. I will forever be grateful to the University of Arizona for allowing me to represent them and the community of Nogales AZ at the HACU Capitol Form, it truly was an honor. The lessons I learned during my time in the nations capitol will be ones I take with me for the rest of my life. For the staff of Senator Flake, Congressman Grijalva and Congresswoman McSally I would like to thank you for giving us some time too talk about higher education. For Congressman Grijalva, I thank you for taking the time to sit down with us and giving us support in advocating the importance for higher education. To the staff of Congresswoman McSally, I thank you for going the extra mile for allowing us to meet the congresswoman. It is an experience I know all of us will never forget. This experience was truly one I will never forget!

Capital Hill Meetings

Today was our final day with HACU and it was the day I was looking forward too the most. Actually going to Capitol Hill has been one of dreams and my dream became a reality. We had three meetings today our first was with Senator Flake. Our meeting was in his meeting room and which was a surprise. The highlight of the meeting was when I asked a question about student loan debt. While my colleagues were talking about their agenda I was trying to figure out how I was going to ask my question properly. At the end when it was my time I just talked and let the question go. My question that I asked Elizabeth Jones who is Senator Flakes Legislative Correspondent had to do about consoling students prior to taking out a loan one-on-one with an advisor. I asked Ms. Jones if the Senator would put his name on a bill that would require schools to require this kind of consoling and she was lost for words.

Our second meeting was with Congressman Grijalva who is my congressman. We met with his Senior Legislative Assistant Norma Salazar-Ibarra and the meeting went great. Our meeting was outside of the office, which was not surprising. The highlight of the meeting was when he came into his office and took the time to talk to us in his office. It meant a lot that he took the time because he had another meeting waiting but he said, “They can wait.” It was a great feeling knowing that my congressman cares about us and is fighting for more legislation that is for education in general.

Our last meeting was with Congresswoman Martha McSally. Her Deputy Chief of Staff Kristen Douglas was the one who we spoke to but her and other assistant actually took us to the congresswoman to meet her. It was not expected and made the day, which was already a good one to a memorable day. Congresswoman McSally was not shy to none of us and was very happy to see us. Her and her assistants treated us great. It meant a lot that they all took the time to treat us with such respect and as a priority.

In all the fact that we got to meet 2 out of 3 legislators in one day is something that I did not expect. For that to happen was a surprise and was an honor to have experienced that. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would meet two members of congress from my home state in the same day when they have a busy schedule. It was truly the highlight of the day.  

High Light of the Day - Day Two

This morning we had to wake up early to get registered for HACU and to eat breakfast. The first conferences were mainly directed to the Deans and Presidents of Colleges and Universities. They gave different resources and tools to receive scholarships, grants, and funds for the universities/colleges. Although it was difficult to understand some of the subjects discussed in the first two conferences, I learned about the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) and how there mission is to support the research of minority health. This was interesting to me because of the issues that we have in Douglas with the lack of hospital services. There is no hospitals in Douglas, only a clinic for emergencies and this has certainly affected our community. NIMHD recognizes the importance of workforce diversity and they strongly believe that diversity in the bio medical workforce will improve the quality of training environment and it will also improve minority health because it will be understood culturally. Another important conference they gave during lunch was about having debt free graduates. Education debt not only has an impact on the students, but also on the family. Many institutions allow students to receive loans knowing that some families are not able to repay. Moreover, institutions have to ensure that their students are receiving what their education is worth. Senator Reed has proposed a "Protect Student Borrowers Act" Bill that will help those students with ruined credit and eligibility to continue their education. I learned that academic challenges in higher institutions lack of facilities and not enough preparations because of factors such as low income in minorities, but there will be nothing done about this until we, as Hispanics, present these problems to our representatives and also until the government decides to take action upon this issue. Finally, out of the various conferences we had today, my favorite one was where they taught us how we were going to advocate for other Hispanic students attending to a higher institution. According to speaker Deborah Koolbeck advocacy is about relationships. Tomorrow, when we go to Capitol Hill, we will have the opportunity and the honor to meet Senator Jeff Flake and Congresswomen Martha McSally. We will be able to ask our representatives about their thoughts on Hispanic higher education. Tomorrow I want to go to Capitol Hill with an open mind to learn from our Representatives' view on higher education. I want them to be aware of the problems we face as Hispanics in higher education because they represent us in this country! HACU has already impacted my life - I have a whole different perspective of the world that surrounds me and the importance of being a part of those who make a change in our community. The experience I am getting at HACU has made me an empowered student and it has given me vision of ways in which I want to influence the lives of other Hispanic students.