Two students recently experienced the premier conference of HACU, Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. Dayana Baez and Hilda Moran attended the annual conference; this year held in Miami, with a contingency of faculty and staff from WNMU.
For Moran, a WNMU-Deming student, the conference was eye opening.
“It was an amazing experience because I was learning about opportunities from so many others,” said Moran who is a graduate student in the Master’s of Social Work program. “Coming from a small community, it opened up my eyes to the possibilities.”
Moran is originally from Chihuahua, having arrived in Deming nine years ago. She earned her undergraduate degree from New Mexico State University.
“It took me five years to earn my bachelor degree because of the language barrier,” said Moran. “I tend to think in Spanish first, and then I translate it, but I graduated with honors.”
For Dayana Baez, a sophomore majoring in applied mathematics from Tucson, Arizona, the conference was empowering.
“It reminded me that there is no reason for us to say no to ourselves when it comes to job opportunities,” said Baez.
Originally from Mexico, Baez is attending WNMU under the protection of DACA, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, an immigration policy initiated in 2007.
“Opportunities can be slim for my community,” said Baez. “Now I see that there is more value in my degree.”
The conference included presentations by Hispanic leaders and a career fair, offering work and internship opportunities. The student attendees were selected from hundreds of applicants who submitted judged essays.
Western New Mexico University is a Hispanic Serving Institution. For more information on upcoming HACU related events, contact Dr. Miguel Vicens-Feliberty at vicensm@wnmu.edu.