Question 1

What's your background?

Accepted Answer

I'm a Junior Communication Major and Marketing Minor, and transferred last semester from Mercer County Community College, where I was President of SG and our LGBT club, the Rainbow Alliance. I represented the students on internal committees, and the school in external orgs and committees.

I identify primarily with being Puerto Rican, which is on my dad's side, but I have some Irish, German and Italian ancestry on my mom's side.

I was born in downtown Trenton, and lived half of my life with my dad and grandmother in the city, consuming Spanish food, drink, music and television. I spent my other half with my mom, moving from town to town. We've always been a low-income family, which defined (and still defines) a lot of my accessibility to resources growing up, as well as my values.

Question 2

Why are you running?

Accepted Answer

We are seeing a number of challenges at the College: a political crisis, a financial crisis and an increasingly diverse student body, not just in race and ethnicity but in other areas too.

In as many ways as possible, I'm feeling the weight of these challenges, being Puerto Rican, low-income, first-generation, non-traditional and a queer transfer student.

I know I'm a literal "who?" to many students here, due to my short time at TCNJ, but this work is what I do, and it's how I want to spend my last year.

My principles stand for creating opportunities, building a better community and taking bold action. I'm fighting against all odds and doubts, because I know we can find opportunities for unity and betterment within the challenges we now face.

Helping you is my passion, not my career.

Question 3

What does it mean to be first-generation, a transfer student, queer and non-traditional?

Accepted Answer

* First-generation students are students whose parents never went to college. My parents not only didn't go to college- they didn't graduate high school.
* Non-traditional students are students who left and returned to college at some point. In my case I went to Rutgers after high school, dropped out, returned to community college a couple years later and then came to TCNJ. 
* Transfer students came to TCNJ after attending another college, usually their Junior year.
* Queer, in my case, means gay/homosexual. However, it can refer to gender or sexuality.

Question 4

What qualifies you for VPIE?

Accepted Answer

At my previous institution I did many things to promote inclusive excellence, including but not limited to:

* Advocated for lower-income students, such as during the 2021 National Legislative Summit and the Community College Opportunity Grant.

* Worked with administration to create a religious safe space, a queer safe space, a "career closet" and shared club space.

* Organized multiple successful food drives for our food pantry.

* Fought against a 5% tuition increase, resulting in it being lowered to 3%.

* Established a position and committee focused on representation and programming at our Trenton campus.

* Organized a weekly radio show, playing music from different cultural backgrounds.

* Represented student interest on the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion task-force.

Question 5

Who should care about you for VPIE?

Accepted Answer

* If you're a commuter student, you should care. My commute is an hour long, so I know the accessibility problems we face when it comes to involvement and comfort first-hand. I want to do my part to address those concerns.

* If you're a transfer student, you should care. I have first-hand experience with the institutional barriers and inequities we face compared to students who have been here since their freshman year. We lack the same opportunities, the same resources and the same recognition for our accomplishments. Help me help current and future transfer students!

* If you want a campus community that embraces and appreciates diversity, you should care. Diversity is a huge spectrum that I see fully. If an issue is bigger than what I can handle, I'll appoint subcommittees to help.

Question 6

What qualifies you for VPGA?

Accepted Answer

At my previous institution I did many things related to governmental affairs,  including but not limited to:

* Advocated for lower-income students and community college funding during the 2021 National Legislative Summit, lobbying politicians such as Senator Cory Booker, Congressman Christopher Smith and Congresswoman Bonnie Watson-Coleman.

* Fought against a 5% tuition increase, lowering it to 3%.

* Expanded the rights of the Alumni Trustee to be able to participate in committees.

* Served the Higher Education Restart Advisory Group, making recommendations to the Secretary of Higher Education regarding the impact of the pandemic on students.

* Served as our representative on the New Jersey Council of County Colleges.

* Organized a community college student government coalition.

Question 7

Who should care about you for VPGA?

Accepted Answer

* If you are lower-income, you should care. I have successfully lobbied for additional funding for public colleges, as well as grants and scholarships.

* If you are a member of an RSO, you should care. My previous institution experience required me to approve, meet with and mentor RSOs.

* If you value experience, you should care. I have years of experience in lobbying, student leadership and shared governance from my previous institution and involvements. I've lobbied politicians, wok Presidents/CEOs of higher education institutions and non-profits and countless administrators/staff. I've served on state-wide committees, attended various leadership conferences and trainings and advocated for various issues such as mental health, queer issues, food security and financial accessibility.

Perez for Vice Prez (GA/IE)

Wisdom works wonders. Diversity drives dreams. I'll bring both.

(Some) Previous Experiences

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