CALEXICO — Alvaro Medina Perez stood in the San Diego State University Imperial Valley campus library, side-by-side with his fellow graduate students, eager to take the ceremonial walk and receive the diploma he worked so hard for.
Perez studied public health with an emphasis in environmental science, which is a passion he holds dear due to his personal experiences with inequity and healthcare access challenges.
Earning this bachelor’s degree makes Perez one of seven members of SDSU Imperial Valley’s first public health cohorts.
The journey was not without challenges though, as Perez states, “It was very challenging being a part of the first cohort. There was no real pathway etched out, so it was a lot of work from faculty staff and students who kind of put it all together and made it work — so yeah, now we’re here.”
San Diego State University Imperial Valley students await their graduation during commencement ceremonies in Calexico on Thursday, May 14. | SOPHIA GAXIOLA PHOTO
Perez recognizes SDSU faculty and staff who went above and beyond for him and his colleagues, which he says allowed him to experience different ways of life that inspired his educational journey.
“We wanted a community experience, and they gave us a chance to work with whoever, and we went and visited the Cocopah indigenous community and got to connect with a bunch of individuals that showed their perspective on how they live life, and how they see modern times clashing with their culture,” said Perez. “I thought that was eye-opening, and from there, it was just like all the cohort and faculty were on the same page about where we want to go next.”
Perez has high expectations for his future, as he is planning to eventually start writing professional research publications to earn a Ph.D.
Across the way, friends Marlene Valles and Fatima Barajas were in line, waiting for the signal to walk to the lawn.
Valles and Barajas are both psychology majors, and they each have their own unique reason as to why they decided to enter that field.
Valles chose to attend SDSU because her research during her time in high school showed that it was one of the best schools for her major. She wanted to make sure she was getting the best education to fulfill her dream of working with misguided children and teens to help them get their lives back on track.
Alvaro Medina Perez poses in the library before his graduation from San Diego State University Imperial Valley campus in Calexico on Thursday, May 14. | SOPHIA GAXIOLA PHOTO
Barajas chose to attend SDSU because she wanted to follow her dad’s dream, as he has always rooted for her to stay in the Valley. Her dad is a doctor, earning his degree from Stanford, which she aims to attend as well.
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When asked for their most prominent memories of their time at SDSU, both graduates praised the friendly and welcoming atmosphere that they felt the campus cultivated.
“Everything is so appealing here in San Diego State,” stated Barajas. “People are so nice, so sweet, so helpful, and nobody’s a stranger. Everybody’s such a nice human being here.”
“The people are actually really nice,” stated Valles. “They give you unique help if you have any doubt in your major.”
Valles did have one memory that she knows she will never forget, recalling it with fondness now that it’s passed, “The worst (memory) I think is when I fell here in the library. It was raining outside, and since I’m always wearing heels, I came in and slipped right into a box.”
When the time came, the graduates went outside to sit in the lawn and listen to their beloved professors congratulate them on their achievements. Their faces beamed with pride as they walked up the stage to finally receive their diplomas.
Marlene Valles (from left) and Fatima Barajas pose in the library before his graduation from San Diego State University Imperial Valley campus in Calexico on Thursday, May 14. | SOPHIA GAXIOLA PHOTO