Jeriel Gonzáles is a graduate student of Hispanic Studies with concentration on puertorrican literature. His undergraduate degree is in journalism; yet his ideal job would have been at a musical theater. But there is something else that Jeriel strives for, teaching, which is what he has been done for the past two years, here at Colegio. His favorites subjects within literature are minorities, specially women and feminist history. “By exploring these newly acknowledged generes, we create new spaces, ideas, ways of interpreting the world. Our knowledge, and vision of what surrounds us expands.”
Throughout his time as instructor at Colegio, he has experiences the immense satisfaction that comes with helping the new generations starve for a learning experience that expands beyond the traditional curriculum expectations, “My goal as a professor is to inspire students, to make them passionate about life and what they want to pursue.” And certainly, literature seems to be the perfect space for that purpose, “Through literature, is the only way in which they (students) will experience the world through their own eyes and interpretations, and that should be the purpose of a college education.”
A whole lot of his unique vision on life, are due to his involvement in his beloved fraternity, Nu Sigma Beta (ΝΣΒ). Pledging wasn’t something he ever expected to do, yet, it has influenced him in more than one positive way. Beyond the social bloom that comes with belonging to a greek organization, Jeriel feels that his fraternity has made him more aware of his surroundings, and definitely more humane.“It gave me a sense of commitment with my community, it has made me more proactive about helping those in need. There is so much more you can do to help when you count on people who have the same vision and purpose you have of making the world a better place.” Jeriel’s genuine desire of making his mark in the world reflects on his plans for the future. Once he is done with his master’s, he will pursue a PhD, in order to continue working as a professor. But, beyond his resume, his genuine smile and the fire in his eyes speak beyond words; he is a beautiful soul that inspires, simply by living life in the passionate, noble, giving way in which he does.