It has been a winding journey for Diana Gonzalez, but she has found her calling in higher education. As a graduate assistant for student success in The College of Science and Mathematics office of student affairs, Diana works with "at promise" students to help them find a way to succeed in their programs. She provides needed links to campus resources, words of encouragement, and asks the tough questions, like "what happened?" She explains that often students are overwhelmed with a situation which could be personal or academic. It is hard for them to ask for help, and harder to locate resources alone.
As a first generation college student, Diana is in a unique position to understand her student's concerns. At first glance, it might be hard to imagine that she could understand. Yet, the intelligent and knowledgeable woman before them has experienced her own challenges as an undergraduate. And by sharing examples of what worked for her, she provides hope that they too will succeed. There is a process. First complete a form. Not only is this an exercise for the students to think and write down problem areas, but it helps Diana know what strategies to discuss to open new doors to real solutions.
Education is highly valued by Diana's parents, who immigrated to the United States from Mexico when she was very young. She grew up in a traditional home in the Chicago area where women stayed home until they were married. Yearning for independence and for a full college experience, she enrolled in Loyola University in Chicago. Finances required her to work many hours which created a work/study dilemma. Working off-campus was demanding and took time away from her studies. She did not know how to find her advisor or access resources. Classmates couldn't help as their families assisted with expenses and tuition. They did not carry the same level of financial responsibility. Diana was feeling disconnected and it changed her attitude toward attending college.
Through a friend, from the Dayton area, she learned about Wright State and started considering the financial and cultural benefits of moving from a priviate university to a state university. During her first visit she discovered resources and helpful people. The campus attmosphere opened opportunities for her to connect with students of similar backgrounds. She was ready to make the move and came to Wright State as a psychology major her sophomore year.
Ready to get involved on campus, she attended a Delta Zeta sorority meeting. Everyone was welcoming and it clicked. She joined and was quickly on a slate of club officers as their Academic Chair where she served for two terms. Delta Zeta has a GPA requirement for their members. It was Diana's duty as Academic Chair to meet with "sisters" who fell below the requirement. "It was tough to tell a sister that they were no longer eligible", said Diana, "but this position, along with tutoring, made me realize how much I enjoyed helping students." And it proved helpful in landing her current position in the office of Student Affairs for The College of Science and Mathematics.
Diana also worked as a tutor for Psychology 1010, and as a peer mentor for Latino freshmen students. The professional rewards of these experiences propelled her to apply to the Student Affairs in Higher Education graduate program. Diana said, "I never met a person unwilling to help a student here which helped me decide to stay at Wright State for graduate school". Spring 2016 she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and continued her journey at Wright State as a graduate student. Her future plans are to apply to the School of Professional Psychology and earn her Psy.D. The once struggling student is well on her way to a full career in academia, teaching psychology, and developing first-year programs.
Diana is a shining example of how a student can blossom and grow into a successful professional with the proper amount of resources, opportunities, and, in the Wright place.
