On November 1, 2015, Javier and Andrea’s lives changed. That day, they received the news that they had been honored by the Association of Puerto Rican Psychologists (APPR) for their achievements as standout undergraduate Psychology students. Javier Arroyo, a senior, was acknowledged for his overall academic performance; Andrea Ruiz, a senior who is also completing a minor in Italian Studies, was recognized for her civic engagement. We sat down with them to discuss their experience at the APPR Convention and the weeks leading up to their award, and their future goals.
Ages:
JA: 22
AR: 23
Hometown:
JA: Mayagüez
AR: Cabo Rojo
Tell us about the APPR:
JA: For the award in itself, I was nominated by the UPRM Department of Psychology. One day [September 24] I was in my car and I got an email from a professor, Dr. Eduardo Lugo, whom I had taken class with before but hadn’t in a while, informing me that I had been nominated along with five other UPRM students and had to attend and interview in order to compete to be a representative of UPRM for the award.
After that initial nomination, we had to submit our CV’s and our transcript so that a panel of all the professors in the Psychology program would interview you, and we had to respond to a single question in five minutes or less: “why do you deserve this award?” I was notified that I was selected on October 28, about three weeks after the interview.
Javier and Professor Lizzie García at the APPR convention.
Were you the first UPRM student to win this award?
JA: As far as I’m concerned, I am. At least I’m the first one since the Psychology program got its own department.
Did you have to personally accept the award?
JA: Yes, I had to give a three-minute speech. But I used that opportunity to thank my professors and my teachers, because they really gave me an education and helped shape me. That award may have my name but it’s to their credit; without them, I wouldn’t be here.
How did you react when you found out you won?
JA: To be honest, I was more excited when I found out I had been nominated by [the department] than when I actually won the award, I don’t know why. It must have been because I wasn’t expecting it at all—I was certain they would pick someone else. But when I got the email saying that I had been selected, I remember I was in the car, and the title of the e-mail was “Estudiante destacado—APPR.”
I just stared at that one phrase for a while and braced myself, thinking it meant that I hadn’t won. I knew I had done a good interview, but I didn’t think I would have won. Then I noticed that I was the only recipient, and the e-mail began “Te queremos dar la grata noticia…” I just started to cry, because I’m a total crybaby [laughs]; I just couldn’t believe that I had been nominated. Then I told my mom, and she started crying, and she started calling mm whole family…you know how it is.
Afterwards, when I was waiting to hear back from the APPR, I tried to keep my mind off the fact that I was nominated and sort of prepared myself for the worst case scenario—that I wouldn’t win. But at the same time, I had a good feeling about it.
But to answer your initial question, I was definitely more excited when I found out I had been nominated by the department. In hindsight, I think it’s the sangre verde.
How did you find out you had been selected by the APPR?
JA: I got a phone call from [Professor Lugo]. As soon as I heard in his voice that he was smiling, I got goosebumps. I didn’t even let him finish—I was like “NO WAY.” I didn’t cry that time [laughs] but I was in total disbelief. He even gave me some instructions and I had to call him back the next day and ask him again because I hadn’t registered it. This whole experience was incredibly satisfying to me—especially because I wasn’t the best student in high school.
Javier and his proud mother, Mrs. Mildred Plaza.
Andrea, tell us about your experience with the APPR:
AR: Well I had already been volunteering with the APPR for about a year, since November 2014, working with their Recruitment and Retention Committee, which is essentially in charge of keeping members informed about the events and benefits offered by the APPR and how they can becomes more involved in the organization.
That first APPR convention I attended in November 2014 was a fantastic opportunity to network with other professionals, and I had the chance to learn from them and let them know about me and what I have to offer—and especially the potential that UPRM students have to offer. By recommendation of Professor Lugo, I approached Dr. Erma Serrano García, who is in charge of the Recruitment and Retention Committee. My goal was to get UPRM students involved in the APPR: I recruited undergrad students, held orientation meetings, and got a few student associations—including AEPSIC [the Psychology Students Association at UPRM] to collaborated with the APPR.
How did you find out you had been nominated for your award?
AR: I received a phone call from Dr. Nadjah Negrón, a UPRRP professor and APPR member whom I had collaborated with, asking if I would accept my nomination for the award in civic engagement for my role in voluntarily collaborating with the Recruitment and Retention Committee and for successfully recruiting UPRM students to the APPR—and I was like “wh-whaaat?” Totally mentally blocked. And of course, I accepted. I sent them all my documents and then waited for a response: la espera que desespera.
Eventually, one Sunday at 11AM, I received the phone call that I had won, along with Javier and Professor Eduardo Lugo. So Colegio got three out of the six awards that the APPR hands.
How did you react?
AR: Practically the same as Javier did. Only when I was told I had to give a speech, I freaked out: I had no idea what to say. I just felt very proud that I had been recognized for my volunteer work.
Had you two met before the convention?
JA: Yeah
AR: We had taken class together before.
What motivated you to study Psychology?
AR: I actually started out studying something else: when I got to Colegio in 2010 I was a Biology major. In my second year I took my Intro to Psychology course with Professor Janet Bonilla and, as cliché as it sounds, I just fell in love. There are certain things I can say that I enjoy and I’m good at, like sports, for example, but here I can say that yo me como los dulces. I love seeing what others have to offer and see them reach their full potential. There comes a moment where you have to realize that you are good at something, and I discovered that Psychology is what I was good at and that it’s for me.
JA: I took at class in high school, in eleventh grade, where we discussed [humanistic psychologist] Maslow and I was immediately drawn to his theory of the hierarchy of needs.
The thing is that before starting college, I wanted to be a priest. I worked in youth outreach groups in my church, so there were plenty of moments in my life when, even without any proper education in Psychology, I had to sensitize myself with fellow youth in my community. When I applied to college, I didn’t know what to study exactly but I knew that my passion was working with and counseling groups; eventually I decided to study Psychology.
Why do you think that the study of Psychology is important, particularly in Puerto Rico?
JA: Well Psychology is a very important but underappreciated field of study and knowledge in Puerto Rico; there’s the stereotype that Psychology is just for “crazy people.” I think that every human being in Puerto Rico should realize that not only should you be healthy physically, but in order to act within society you have to be at peace with yourself. I personally align myself with a humanistic approach of Psychology in which every person can and should reach their full potential.
Only 10% of the Health Department’s budget goes towards mental health, and I think that is very alarming; this field of study should be valued more. If we had more Puerto Ricans here who knew their worth we would have a better country.
AR: Personally, I’ve chosen to focus in Community Psychology, and I think Psychology is absolutely essential for disadvantaged or marginalized communities. From what I’ve seen and who I’ve worked with, particularly students who come from public housing, I think it’s necessary to guide these people who probably think they won’t have the same opportunities as someone with certain privileges—to work, to study, or to just be whomever they want, and find their happiness. If you open yourself and your ideas to Psychology and to loving what you do, then the right counseling can help you to reach your goals and fulfill your full potential.
In the case of Puerto Rico, I think it’s necessary now more than ever because people feel stuck; and because they feel stuck they feel like—or actually end up—leaving. Meanwhile, that should be motivating people to change their personal situation and the status quo, and I believe that mental health should be a huge part of that.
Andrea with Dr. Irma Serrano García
Do both of you envision yourselves staying in the Island?
AR: I would love to come back, but I can’t stay for now because there aren’t any graduate programs in Puerto Rico for the field I’m fascinated with, which is Community-based Psychology. But this is my country: it’s where I was raised, it’s where my family is, and it’s where my family will be.
JA: I can assure you one thing: I don’t know where I’m going to study yet, or where I’ll be tomorrow, or what my future holds. But not matter what, I will be in Puerto Rico. I have to give back a mi patria what it gave me. I feel like my heart doesn’t even beat the same when I’m not in Puerto Rico. Even if I don’t live a life of luxury by staying in the island, I don’t care: I’m staying.
What are your future goals?
JA: I want to be a professional in the field of Psychology and I want to do research in Puerto Rico as a professor. I’d like to write books, articles; and I definitely want to be a professor at UPRM.
AR: I’ll see you here in a few years, then! [laughs] I want to be a professor here, too. I want to be a Community Psychologist and a conflict-resolution counselor. I’d love to write a book, conduct research, and to help others realize their full potential. I also really want to be a motivational speaker.
As seniors, what advice would to a give to your fellow students to help them reach their goals?
AR: My advice would be to look for mentors as soon as you can and to start working in something hopefully related to your field, to move out of your comfort zone. It’s also extremely important to find support among fellow students: undergraduate research and work is important and it deserves to be seen. We need to help each other out—that’s what it’s all about.
JA: I do believe there’s certain keys to success: you need discipline but the first step is to dream big. Then you’d got to make a plan, execute it, fail, learn from it, and keep moving. Oh, and you’ve got to wake up early.