Angela Hernandez

Angela Hernandez: A Mount Student Through and Through

By: Sarah Sheridan

Posted: 5/2/07

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."

These words from Margaret Meade have been the motto that student body President Angela Hernandez has followed in her time representing the students of the College of Mount Saint Vincent.

Starting out as a freshman, from Brooklyn, NY, in August 2003 Angela wasted little time making her presence not only known on the campus, but also unforgettable. During her college career she has been a resident assistant, member of the swim team, campus tour guide, class president, director of the programming board, and a Spanish major in the education program.

Angela has become an essential part of the Tour Guide Program for the admissions office. She got involved with the Ambassador Program her freshman year and was responsible for giving campus tours and working the admissions events on campus. Her junior year, she was asked to head the program, and she has continued that duty through her senior year. Many of the employees down at the Castle strongly believe in her ability.

"Angela Hernandez is truly an example of what a Mount student is all about," Adam Connolly, an admissions counselor states, "As a tour guide she not only impresses prospective students and their families, but also shines a light of positive energy and professionalism on the rest of the staff she works with."

Also during her freshman year, Angela joined the swim team on which she made many cherished memories and bonds with a range of students. This year she was chosen as one of the team's captains and worked hard to motivate her teammates to a third place finish in the Hudson Valley Championships.
A vision for change brought Angela to a student government meeting as a freshman. After that Angela became a regular at these meetings. Freshman elections had already past with no students filling positions, but Angela became the unofficial voice for her class.

For the next academic year Angela was elected class president and worked hard representing the class of 2007. She even discovered a passion for planning events. Her enthusiasm was noticed and Angela was given the opportunity to attend the National Association of Campus Activities (NACA) in Minneapolis. This was a significant opportunity since Mount students had never attended these kinds of conferences. Coming back even more inspired and excited Angela ran and won the position on the Executive Council as director of the Board of Programmers. In this role she laid the foundation for a strong future for events on campus that gets bigger and better with each year. She also continued attending the NACA conferences, getting more involved as a student representative planning elements of the conferences and making presentations to large numbers of students from all over the country.

As Angela prepared for her senior year, it was no surprise when she chose to run for and win the position of student body president. Becoming president is what she considers her greatest accomplishment.

"This was not something like a test where I could study in order to get it or in any way ensure that it would happen, but rather I earned it by proving myself to my peers through my hard work, attitude and actions each and everyday," she admits.

In this past school year she has led the organization to a new level and set the bar higher than it has been in recent years.
"Through Student Government I have learned that one has to speak up for what they want instead of complaining and assuming that others know," Angela says.

Her ability to lead through the good days and bad, the easy and challenging, the stressful and fun seem to come so naturally to this leader. Yet, Angela is humble in this year's accomplishments. She always refers to the progress as a group effort, each member equally important and valuable.
Through her years as a student leader in these elected positions Angela has learned so much about herself, teamwork and community.

As she says, "These lessons will forever be a part of me and something that I hope to remember and keep up in everything that I do."

Another essential campus position Angela has undertaken is becoming a resident assistant. She began the position in the second semester of her sophomore year in Alumnae Hall. She has remained in that building fostering and nurturing her residents.

"The best part about being an RA was living with the first year students. With each new group came another opportunity to step outside my comfort level and ensure that these new faces adjusted to and enjoyed life here," explains Angela.

As an RA, Angela is there for support, guidance and to make the student feel at home. Many residents have developed a very special bond with Angela.

Freshman Megan Gonzales, recently selected as an RA for next year, says, "Angela always encouraged me to get involved, and becoming an RA is one of the greatest ways to do so."

When Angela is not busy with one of the many activities she is involved with, she is working diligently to complete her degree so she can become a teacher. As graduation gets closer, Angela is excited to have a class of her own where she can inspire the minds of young children. Her academic success parallels the success she has had outside of the classroom clearly shown in her place on the Dean's List for several semesters.

"Knowing that what I was doing was important and appreciated definitely kept me going during my four years here," Angela asserts.

Through her interaction with so many of the people on this diverse campus it is no surprise that the people are her favorite part of the Mount. The people here have been a huge part of shaping the woman Angela is proud to be today.

She explains, "The Mount is hard to explain, impossible to forget, and the kind of place that you want to share with as many people as possible so that they can experience it too."

Angela's college journey is dwindling, yet her legacy on the campus is far from fading away. As she stood before a number of alums, administrators, staff, students and respected donors at the annual Scholarship Dinner this April, she addressed the audience with a glowing confidence and passion for the Mount that could be felt throughout the room. Angela proved again how committed she is to standing up for the values of the Mount. It was another memorable accomplishment for her.

Angela has clearly exemplified so much of what the Mount stands for- leadership, charity, and genuineness- as a role model for all students - her residents, senators, teammates, friends, and acquaintances.

"I want to be remembered as someone who was passionate and worked hard for what she wanted. I am someone who genuinely wanted nothing but the best for the Mount," she says.

Angela is certainly a student the Mount will not be able to forget.