Angel Hernandez: Treasuring Every Moment

By: Monica Ramos Flores

Edited By: Andres Biera

Word Count: 539

Estimated Read Time: 3 Minutes

Starting off their college journey in 2020 was now graduating senior, Angel Hernandez. The First-Generation Mexican’s entire first year of higher education was online. So, instead of walking around campus, meeting his peers, and an average college experience, he had to do it through a screen. Though his sophomore year was back in-person, he felt his first day of class was his first day of college ever.

Hernandez chose Towson because of its proximity to home in Baltimore and because he wanted to attend a school with a visible Hispanic community. Noche Latina was a significant part, too. Once he heard of it and what LASO was, it finalized his choice. In addition, he was offered a spot in the Honors College, which aided him in his decision.

Adjusting to the campus life after the pandemic was difficult for Hernandez. Though he had heard of the Latine community at Towson, he couldn’t visibly see them. He often was the only Latino in his classes, and that is how he found his was to the Latin American Student Organization (LASO). He feels this was one of the most important and signifying moment of his college career. 

At one point, Hernandez served on three different Latine executive boards while balancing two majors and four minors. Alongside biology, he added psychology as a second major after realizing his interests were evolving beyond pre-med, which is what he originally majored in. He also explored other subjects, including marketing.

His impact on campus extended beyond academics. While serving on LASO’s executive board, Hernandez helped oversee Noche Latina, one of Towson’s largest Latine cultural celebrations. Through stronger promotion and outreach efforts, the event expanded, growing from approximately 250 attendees to 350 attendees. The success reflected not only his leadership abilities, but also his dedication to creating spaces where Latino students could feel represented and welcomed.

So, how did Hernandez manage academics and so many of extracurriculars? Well, he says he remained motivated through positive affirmations and mindset shifts. He often reminded himself that “diamonds are formed under pressure” and viewed challenges as opportunities for growth rather than obstacles. That mentality allowed him to continue pushing himself academically, socially, and personally, even when balancing so many commitments became overwhelming.

Graduation represents far more than earning a degree for Hernandez. As a first-generation student, he sees education as proof that hard work, persistence, and sacrifice can lead to growth and success. More importantly, he recognizes the example he sets for younger family members who look up to him. Throughout his journey, he carried the responsibility of being someone others could turn to for advice about school, college, and life. That responsibility motivated him to keep going.

Looking back, Hernandez admits his college experience unfolded nothing like he expected. Still, he wouldn’t change it. Through the ups and downs that college brought him, he found a version of himself that freshman-year self never could have imagined. His advice to incoming students reflects everything he learned along the way: 

“Take the good with the bad, treasure every moment, and never let doubt stop you from exploring new opportunities. Sometimes the most meaningful experiences are the ones you never planned for. And the mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell.”