Kiara Padilla
Although at times balancing work, classes and time to improve my personal self seemed nearly impossible, obtaining a community of supportive staff and peers here allowed me to flourish... I want to ensure that students of color will have the ability to feel safe and proud of their heritage within their campus."
Kiara Padilla knows what it feels like to be far away from home and her family, but her love for her culture empowered her to create a new home at Stockton University that celebrates her heritage.
As a first-generation, post secondary education student, collegiate education was a difficult goal to achieve. With the support and encouragement of my mother, at the age of 17, I decided to embark on a journey of self improvement moving from Puerto Rico to New Jersey completely alone. This decision led me to discover Stockton University and become part of the Stockton community I have grown to love and be proud of.
I am now 20 years old and a senior Communication Studies major with a concentration in Public Relations and a dual minor in Spanish and Global Studies. Although I spent my first year focusing on work and classes, I decided to get involved my sophomore year. Being in a PWI, it was often difficult to find a community I felt comfortable in, that is until I came across Los Latinos Unidos (LLU).
The ability to have a safe space where I can share my language, culture and journey with people similar to me allowed me to feel at home here at Stockton University. My decision to be involved with LLU led me to obtain the courage to become someone future students can look up to and rely on. I am now proudly involved on campus not only as President of Los Latinos Unidos, but as a TALONS, Residential Assistant and student worker at the Office of Student Development.
Although at times balancing work, classes and time to improve my personal self seemed nearly impossible, obtaining a community of supportive staff and peers here allowed me to flourish, inspiring me to be an example for future Ospreys to follow. As the diverse and multicultural community grows within our campus, I want to ensure that students of color will have the ability to feel safe and proud of their heritage within their campus. I want students to have the ability to freely and openly share their culture and know that the Stockton community will listen and care for them.
I pride myself in my background, heritage and story and will celebrate it not only throughout this Hispanic Heritage Month (3rd Annual Celebration at Stockton University) but throughout my life journey as well.
This Voice was originally published in 2020. At the time of publication, Padilla was a Communication Studies student and proud president of student organization, Los Latinos Unidos. She is now an alumna of Stockton University and pursuing her Masters degree.
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