Director of Myatt Center for Diversity and Inclusion is Passionate about Sports, Policy, and Mexican Food

Get to know Juan Hernandez, director of the Myatt Center for Diversity and Inclusion, a sports fanatic who was recruited to play football in college and who says being in the stands in Spain for a Real Madrid-Barcelona soccer game is on his bucket list.

The lifeblood of the University of New Haven are the faculty and staff members who dedicate their lives to helping our students reach their goals. Periodically, we’ll introduce you to a member of the staff so you can learn more about him or her – beyond their day to day work.

Next up is Juan Hernandez, director of the Myatt Center for Diversity and Inclusion.

Renee Chmiel: What was the first concert you attended? Do you still listen to this artist?
Juan Hernandez: Technically, I attended my first concert when I was in college. For Spring Weekend 2010, Trinity College brought Snoop Dogg and LMFAO. I still listen to their music.

RC: What is your favorite food?
JH: I love Mexican food. I was spoiled growing up in Chicago. We have the third largest Mexican population in the country, so we have Mexican food all over the city.

RC: What is something that you think many people would be surprised to learn about you?
JH: I played football, ran track, and wrestled in high school, and I was even recruited to play football for a few NCAA Division III schools.

RC: Do you have a favorite sport or team?
JH: I love sports in general. Playing sports is what kept me in school and where I met my best friends. I religiously follow baseball, pro and college football, pro and college basketball, and soccer. I follow all Chicago sports teams – the Cubs are my favorite baseball team, the Bulls are my favorite basketball team, and the Bears are my favorite football team. I also follow soccer, and I definitely lean towards the European teams. My absolute favorite team is Real Madrid, but I follow Barcelona and a bunch of the English Premier League teams like Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Liverpool.

"If I wasn’t in higher education, I probably would have made policy my full-time job. It’s what I’m most interested in outside of work."Juan Hernandez, director of the Myatt Center for Diversity and Inclusion

RC: What is one item on your bucket list? Why is this something that you’d like to do?
JH: I would love to travel to Spain to watch a Real Madrid vs. Barcelona game in the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid. It is the most watched sporting event in the world – even more popular than the Super Bowl – and the stadium is supposed to be legendary.

RC: If you did not work in higher education, what do you think you’d be doing?
JH: I would probably be working in policy. Currently, I’m on the Hartford Board of Education, where we focus on education policy. If I wasn’t in higher education, I probably would have made policy my full-time job. It’s what I’m most interested in outside of work.