Siblings Begin and End Their College Journeys Together at the University of New Haven

Santiago Hernandez ’30 and Nicole Hernandez ’27 are experiencing the University of New Haven together from two different perspectives — one as a first-year student and the other as a senior preparing for Commencement and a career.

Everyone has a different journey in life, and the same goes for every student at the beginning of a new academic year. For siblings Santiago Hernandez ’30 and Nicole Hernandez ’27, this year is giving them the opportunity to experience the University of New Haven together, while being at two different points in their college journeys.

Santiago is a first-year student studying Exercise Science, and is looking forward to making new friends, attending events, and discovering what it means to be a Charger. On the other hand, Nicole is a senior studying Computer Science and is preparing to finish her final year, complete her Capstone Project, and begin her career.

‘What it means to be a Charger’

For Santiago, he wants to enjoy college by experiencing new things and becoming more acquainted with the University of New Haven community. When asked about what he is most excited for this semester, he said, “Going to events and making new friends.” A new academic year comes with the opportunity to experience different events and activities held on campus while also meeting people along the way.

An event that Santiago is particularly looking forward to is our Division I football team go up against Brown University. He stated, “I’m looking forward to watching it because I’d like to see us beat an Ivy League school.” Beyond that he’s most curious to experience many things before his first semester ends, including “the winter vibes” and “winning a match with the tennis club.”

College has already given Santiago a different perspective on how students can spend their time outside of classes. He stated that one surprise about college life was that “there is so much free time, but so many fun things to do around campus to fill it up.”

This year is also special for Santiago for a particular reason. “It will be the first time I’m studying alongside my sister since elementary school,” he said. Even though the two siblings are at different stages of their college journeys, they now have the opportunity to experience part of their college years together.

As Santiago looks ahead to the rest of the school year, he hopes to “discover what it means to be a Charger.” When asked to describe his excitement about starting his first year at the University of New Haven in a few words, he said, “optimistic, ready for my next chapter.”

‘I’m close to graduating and starting my career’

While Santiago is beginning his college experience, Nicole is approaching the end of her bachelor’s degree. As a senior, Nicole said one of the things that she is most excited about this semester is “finishing up my Capstone Project.” Nicole described this project as “a chance to excel in everything I have learned through these last four years and to show a cool project on my resume for future jobs.”

Her senior year feels different. “I know that I’m close to graduating and starting my career,” she said. So, along with completing her Capstone Project, Nicole is hoping to leave her experience at the University of New Haven with “more subjects to add to my resume.”

Even while preparing for graduation, as a senior, she is excited to experience the military appreciation football game and the salute to service program one more time. She also said that the event that has been most meaningful to her throughout her time here at the University is the “tribute to the fallen souls for 9/11.”

Something Nicole wished she had experienced earlier in her college career that she’s making sure to do this year is attending the Homecoming football game. There are still new things to experience even during the final year of college.

Being a senior has also changed how Nicole looks at University events and experiences. She described it by saying, “It’s bittersweet knowing it’s my last time and someone else’s first time.” As Nicole is preparing for what comes after her time here, Santiago is looking forward to what is coming ahead.

Reflecting further on her time here, Nicole said she will always remember “everyone I met, professors included, that have helped me when I felt lost in what I was doing.”

‘The more things you get involved in, the more wonderful people you meet’

Both siblings have different reasons for being excited about the year ahead. Santiago is looking forward to becoming more familiar with what it means to be a Charger while Nicole is looking forward to finishing her Capstone, preparing for her career, and making the most of the experiences made.

For the students who are looking to become more involved, Nicole offered advice based on her own experience by saying, “do as much as you can without falling behind in schoolwork or becoming too stressed out. The more things you get involved in, the more wonderful people you meet.”

From a first-year student who is beginning a new chapter to a senior who is preparing to close one, Santiago and Nicole depict how differently the same academic year can look depending on where a student is in their journey. For Santiago, there will be many more firsts to come, and for Nicole, there will be many lasts. As siblings, they now have the opportunity to share a part of their schooling experience with each other, which makes this academic year a memorable one for them both.