ٺƵ

Former Astronaut Tells Youth to ‘Dream Big’

UC Regent Speaks to 1,200 at Cesar Chavez Youth Leadership Conference and Celebration

News
Jose Hernandez in blue NASA uniform with Cesar Chavez event poster in background
Former astronaut and recently appointed University of California regent José Hernandez tells youth to “dream big” at the 20th Cesar Chavez Youth Leadership Conference and Celebration at ٺƵ May 14.

“I’m going to give you the license to dream and to dream big.”

That’s the message José Hernandez, a former astronaut and a member of the UC Board of Regents since last August, shared with about 1,200 students and others who gathered at ٺƵ for the Cesar Chavez Youth Leadership Conference and Celebration last Saturday (May 14).

Held annually, the free college and career event highlights the life-changing power of education and is designed to be especially beneficial for students from communities historically underrepresented in higher education. It is organized by Student Affairs and the Institute for Diversity Equity and Advancement at the university.

José Hernandez on the aft flight deck of Space Shuttle Discovery
José Hernandez works on the aft flight deck of the Earth-orbiting Space Shuttle Discovery in 2009. (NASA)

One of four children in a migrant farming family who settled in the Stockton area, Hernandez earned two university degrees and achieved his childhood dream to become an astronaut. He served as a mission specialist on a Discovery shuttle mission to the International Space Station in 2009.  

A student seated in the audience listens

Members of the audience listened with rapt attention as Hernandez shared his father’s recipe for success that includes defining your purpose in life, recognizing how far off the goal is, creating a roadmap, pursuing education and working hard.

Melissa Miller sits among a large audience.
Melissa Miller, center, listens to the keynote speaker.

Hernandez, who now leads an aerospace company and an educational foundation, added a sixth ingredient — perseverance — and reminded students to enjoy the journey.

“Oh, my gosh, I wanted to be an astronaut for a second,” said Melissa Miller, who is studying biology at Woodland Community College. 

Students getting off school buses

The 20th conference drew busloads of junior high, high school and community college students as well as parents and community leaders from Greater Sacramento and beyond.

Some of the ٺƵ students helping for the day had attended the conference in earlier years. Mariana Lopez, a third-year student joined up with a group of about 35 from her high school in Red Bluff. “I came to the conference and I said, ‘I want to come here,’” said Lopez, who is now majoring in Chicana/Chicano studies.

Four students, all wearing Cesar Chavez conference backpacks follow other students to a workshop

After the opening at University Credit Union Center, participants dispersed to campus tours and workshops on more than 25 topics including an overview of California’s college and university systems, financial aid, services for undocumented students, paths to STEM careers and more.

Two men with video equipment talking to seated students
Al Gonzalez, left, helps Jorge Monzón lead a workshop about story telling.

Independent video producer and ٺƵ alumnus Jorge Monzón led a workshop to help youth understand the power of their own stories and how to tell them through digital media. For example, he said, students whose parents work in the fields may feel like they don’t belong at college.

“Stories carry a lot of weight,” Monzón said in an interview. “By telling their stories and being empowered with tools, students will have a better chance of communicating with their peers and professors.”

A standing woman talks with students seated in a tiered classroom
Monica Peña-Villegas, regional assistant director for the Early Academic Outreach Program at ٺƵ, talks with students about admission requirements.

Nicholas Sarreal, who is in the seventh grade, came with about 30 fellow students from Griffin Academy Middle School and High School in Vallejo. “I was interested in trying to find out what career I should take,” he said.

Miller, the student from Woodland Community College, attended sessions on navigating a career and financial aid. She said she now knows a University of California degree is possible on her way to a career as a neurosurgeon, brain researcher or both. 

Marc Grossman gesturing as he talks
Marc Grossman of the Cesar Chavez Foundation speaks about the man he knew for 24 years and worked with.

One of the sessions highlighted the life and legacy of Chávez. It was presented by Marc Grossman, who served as press secretary, speechwriter and personal aid to the late labor leader and civil rights activist.

Other speakers at the conference included emcee Liliana Ferrer, Mexican consul general for Northern California and a ٺƵ graduate; second keynote speaker Manuel Calderón de la Barca Sánchez, a ٺƵ physics professor featured in the movie ; ٺƵ Chancellor Gary S. May; Pablo Reguerín, vice chancellor for Student Affairs; and Gloria Partida, mayor of the city of Davis and a ٺƵ alumna.

Boys in fringed jackets twirl girls in white blouses and full teal skirts
Ballet Folkloric Nube de Oro presented a variety of traditional dances.

Performers from the Mariachi del Valle of Davis and Ballet Folklorico Nube de Oro treated conference-goers to live music and dance after they came back together for lunch and a college fair.

Photography by Karin Higgins and Julia Ann Easley/ٺƵ

Primary Category

Secondary Categories

Dateline

Tags