Earlier this month, history and Spanish double major Daniela Vega ’19 stepped into the shoes of President Sharon Herzberger for a day. Her many presidential duties included meeting with senior leadership, a board member, and students; filming a video to thank donors; and speaking before the faculty at their bi-weekly meeting.
“At this very moment, while I have the honor of speaking to you, my mom is picking basil under the blazing sun,” Vega told the faculty. “My dad has been the head foreman for a farming company for more than 15 years. I was raised in a community in which hard work and determination were essential. I have learned that in order to succeed, I must not give up – no matter how difficult it may seem.”
The daughter of Mexican immigrants, Vega comes from the Imperial Valley, a farming community in southeast California, near the border with Mexico.
“I consider myself very lucky to be where I am right now. If it weren’t for my professor, I would have listened to the many doubts in my head and dropped out,” said Vega.
Vega used the opportunities she had as President as a way to solidify her future goal of becoming a professor. “By challenging myself and getting outside my comfort zone and giving a speech in front of very educated people, I realized that I am capable of anything I set my mind to,” she said.
In the distant future, Vega hopes she too can have her own presidential office and establish a first-generation college student center to provide resources and aid students throughout their academic career. Her hope for Whittier is for every member of the community to “feel important—whether it’s the cleaning ladies in the dorms, undocumented and DACA students, or the small town farm girl.”
