Biosketch
Name?
Mireyda Perez Hernandez
College?
Francis College of Engineering, Honors College
Major?
Biomedical Engineering
Hometown?
Chelsea, MA
Favorite hobbies?
Painting, hiking, and listening to music.
What is your favorite thing about UML?
The numerous resources offered to students.
What are your future goals?
I hope to work for a medical device company making prosthetics and or diabetic devices. Down the line, I hope to start my own medical device company making affordable medical devices. Additionally, possibly pursuing a master's or Ph.D. degree.
What has being involved with the RHSA meant to you?
Being involved in RHSA has allowed me to realize I am not alone. There are many faculty members and students who are there to provide support and guidance.
Looking back, what advice would you give to yourself in your first year of college?
The advice I would give to my freshman-year self would be you are capable of anything you put your mind to. There will be difficult times, but everything will be worth it at the end of the day. Additionally, apply for positions even if you think you aren’t qualified, you never know what the outcome can be.
What advice would you give fellow students?
Advice I would give fellow students is don’t be afraid to ask for help. There are many individuals who are there to help and guide you. Also, try something new + get involved on campus.
Why did you choose to attend UMass Lowell?
I chose to attend UMass Lowell because when I was in high school I participated in UMass Lowell's Future Engineer program which allowed me to realize I wanted to pursue engineering. Additionally, I was interested in getting involved in research which UMass Lowell is well known for.
What does it mean to you to be a first-generation college student?
Being a first-generation college student means being proud to be the first in my family to obtain a college degree. It represents the amount of sacrifices my family has made to allow me to pursue my dreams and goals.
What inspires you to want to help first-generation students in the RHSA?
What inspires me to help first-generation college students in the RHSA is how the RHSA helped me during my time as a college freshman. I was exhausted from the college application process and working almost every day. The environment at home wasn’t ideal on top of the entire school year being online. I didn’t understand how being a first-generation college student and being a first-born American was impacting me. It was difficult to solve issues I couldn’t identify. I found solace in figuring out the things I could and couldn’t control. It was the RHSA that helped me come to this realization as well as gave me encouragement in my endeavors.