Aliento Features: Nicholas Hernandez

Introduce yourself.

Hello everyone my name is Nicholas Hernandez, I am a current student at Arizona State University triple majoring in Justice Studies, Political Science, and Transborder Chicana/o and Latina/o Studies. I was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona and I come from a mixed-status family. I am a first generation student and I love iced coffee.

How did you find out about Aliento? Why did you get involved?

I first heard about Aliento through social media because I saw former classmates getting involved at ASU. I did some research and I immediately liked what the organization had to offer but there were no opportunities at my high school. Once I found out about the opportunity for a fellowship, I was immediately interested and applied. I’ve always wanted to get involved with an organization that supports the undocumented community and Aliento was the right place for me. The work we do matters to me because I am fighting for my own community.

What moments from the fellowship are you most proud of? What is something you learned from the fellowship?

I am most proud of each fellow planning and hosting events on their campus to spread the word about in-state tuition for the undocumented students. I saw how much work it takes for us students to plan an event and execute it. Each fellow utilized creative ideas and we always helped out each other when times were rough. From the fellowship, I learned that teamwork is the key to success and it is always okay to ask for help. I would always rely on the ASU fellows when I was lost and they would always provide me with clarity. Working as a team has made the fellowship so much easier and fun as well.

Would you recommend this fellowship? Why?

I would definitely recommend this fellowship for anybody who is interested because I have learned so much and gained valuable experiences. This fellowship gave me the opportunity to grow as a leader and learn how to use my voice. Before this fellowship, I underestimated the power of community and through community organizing I have gained hope back. Being a Fellow for Aliento has built me into a stronger leader who has more courage to use their voice.

What’s next for you?

As I end my sophomore year and the fellowship, I plan to use my voice and get involved with asu aliento for the upcoming school year. This summer I will be heading to Florida for the Donald J. Weidner Summer for Undergraduates Program at FSU School of Law. I plan to continue to stay involved with the latino and undocumented community. I hope to gain additional experience with different organizations and continue to grow as a leader.