Elizabeth Hernandez '26

Spanish major Elizabeth Hernandez ’26 once thought that she would never go to college. Now, UNCW has become a place where she is redefining her future.  

Originally from Dover, Florida, Hernandez describes her beginnings as humble. She moved around constantly as a child before settling in Rocky Point, North Carolina.  Her interest in pursuing higher education began in high school where she joined the UNCW Precollege Mentoring Program and the summer bridge program as a mentee. The programs were where she first felt passion to go to college.  

“I didn’t believe I wanted to go to college after high school because I didn’t know what to major in. But they [the programs] helped me a lot,” said Hernandez. “With the help from one of my greatest supporters, Mrs. Wall, my middle school ESL teacher, I was pushed to pursue a secondary education.” 

With the support of these programs and mentors, Hernandez received the NC Next, C.M. and M.D. Suther and Education Abroad scholarships. She also received the Mubleria El Nido Scholarship, awarded by a local Wilmington business to the most promising Centro Hispano students. As a first-generation college student, this support is truly valued.  

“It means a lot to me. I come from a family where my family members could not finish their education due to financial hardships,” she said. “It makes me very happy and proud to have achieved such an education.” 

Upon arriving at UNCW, Hernandez was unsure of what to major in but soon found direction in her own life experiences and inspiration from professors.  

“I really wanted to learn more about my native language,” she said. “I was greatly inspired by Profesora Rider during my first Spanish class. Her passion for teaching the Spanish language radiated and greatly inspired me to pursue it as a degree.” 

The Spanish major has opened many doors for Hernandez. In May 2024, she had the opportunity to study abroad in her parents’ hometown of Oaxaca, Mexico, alongside Spanish professors Amanda Boomershine and Edel Segovia.  Visiting and studying in the region had been a long-time goal of Hernandez’s.  

“Being able to try new food and see the lives of others living there inspired me. Meeting new people and hearing their stories helped me fully understand more about Oaxaca and its culture,” she said. “I will forever cherish the moments I spent with my classmates and professors.” 

She had the opportunity to intern for Student Action with Farmworkers (SAF), an organization that places students from across the country to work with small organizations in the Carolinas. 

“Being able to work along with farmworkers truly widened my views about them," she said. "I grew up in an agricultural family where many of my family members’ first job was to work in the fields."

Beyond graduation, Hernandez plans to pursue graduate school, but first she hopes to build on the impacts she made with SAF.   

“I truly want to figure out who I am and where I want to go,” said Hernandez. "I want to continue helping my community in any way possible and making impacts on our future students.”