Sarai Hernandez is an undergraduate student at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Marketing with a strong interest in digital marketing, social media strategy, and brand storytelling. She is a transfer student from Triton College, where she earned two associate degrees and was actively involved in campus leadership, student organizations, and creative initiatives. Her academic journey has shaped her passion for understanding how marketing, media, and storytelling influence culture, identity, and community especially for young women navigating college and early adulthood.
In addition to her academic work, Sarai is deeply involved in creative and media based projects at UIC. She is a host on UIC Radio, where she runs her own DJ show called The Vinyl Diaries centered on storytelling through music, themed playlists, and cultural reflection. Through this platform, she explores how music connects to personal growth, nostalgia, and shared experiences. As a Marketing major, she enjoys content creation, branding, and social media strategy, and she is especially interested in using digital platforms like TikTok to create relatable, empowering content for college students.
Outside of school and media, Sarai values creativity, self-expression, and intentional community. Her interests include fashion, beauty, film, music, and pop culture, as well as journaling, playlist curation, and exploring Chicago’s cafes, neighborhoods, and creative spaces. As a first-generation, Afro-Latina student, she is passionate about representation and creating spaces where women feel seen, supported, and encouraged to grow into their confidence. Through Her Campus UIC, Sarai hopes to contribute content that celebrates girlhood, individuality, and the shared experiences of college women.
A Reflection on My 20s
