HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH 2024

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INROADS PROUDLY CELEBRATES HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

This Hispanic Heritage Month and beyond, INROADS proudly celebrates our Hispanic scholars and alumni as they dream bigger, go further and create a legacy of positive impact for their families and communities. During our campaign, Mi Camino (My Path); Our Future, our students and alumni tell the stories of how they are forging their unique pathways forward while creating a shared future that is brighter for all.

INROADS is honored to empower students through career readiness training, leadership development, mentorship, and access to life-changing opportunities.

Join us in supporting their journeys to success.

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NUESTRAS HISTORIAS

(Our stories)

INROADS Alumnus Alex Villanueva

INROADS Alumnus Juan Turcios

My INROADS internship experience at Kite Pharmaceuticals is giving me the knowledge I need to pursue my goal of making medical products and devices more accessible to developing countries such as El Salvador.

Jahayra Guzman-Rivas

INROADS Intern at Kite Pharmaceuticals
Growing up in a family that valued hard work and resilience, I learned the importance of perseverance. My parents' sacrifices as immigrants have inspired me to work hard and pursue my dreams, knowing that I am building on the foundation they laid for me.

Axel Pineda

INROADS Intern at Atria Wealth Solutions
My grandparents worked hard for my parents to be the first in their families to go to college. I am proud of my heritage and culture, and as I seek new opportunities, I lean on those that came before me. I am proud of our resiliency.

Martin Gutierrez

INROADS College Links Scholar San Antonio, Texas
My heritage inspires me to achieve success due to my family's history. Like most of Puerto Rico at the time, my ancestors made their living as agricultural laborers working on sugarcane plantations. Despite the poor conditions they grew up in, my grandparents chose to start over in New York and pursue new opportunities.

Joshua Román

INROADS College Links Scholar Atlanta, Georgia
From an early age, I knew my destiny was to go to college. I simply got lucky to make it into the number one public university, the University of California, Berkeley. Since then, I have not taken any moment for granted. The more I've spent time at UC Berkeley, I realize my bachelor's degree is in honor of my family.

Jimena Fajardo Sepulveda

INROADS Intern at OLLY PBC
INROADS has connected me with amazing corporate sponsors and has coached me to become an even more valuable asset for a company. Additionally, INROADS is always there to support me when I need advice about my academic or career path. I aspire to master the world of finance, make a significant contribution in my career, and help my community overcome financial struggles.

Ivan Hernandez

INROADS College Links Scholar Atlanta, Georgia
I feel close to my Hispanic heritage and the strong community surrounding it. My unique multicultural upbringing - including my Hispanic Heritage, a Taiwanese-American mom, and a Turkish dad - has given me the opportunity to appreciate different cultures and motivated me to give back and make a difference.

Kelin Gonzalez

College Links Scholar Washington, D.C.
My heritage and culture inspire me because I’ve seen all the challenges and tribulations we as a people have overcome. My future goal is to work in data science at a credible company and contribute to the prosperity of our nation.

Jarrett Karner

INROADS Intern at the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
Coming from a Hispanic background, I’ve grown up around so many hardworking people who had limited opportunities or people who struggled and persevered. Being first-generation empowers me to keep pushing. I’m not only making my parents proud but other members of my community who didn’t get the chance to reach their dreams.

Melanie Guzman

INROADS Intern at UPS
The persistence and drive that my culture shares is what inspires me to achieve success. "La vida sigue adelante (life moves forward)” were the words my mother always said to me growing up. No matter what difficulties and challenges my parents faced coming to California, their lives moved forward.

Jimmy Salvador-Contreras

INROADS Intern sponsored by Dollar General
Dominicans are hard workers. Something we always say is, “Aqui en la lucha (here in the fight).” We are consistently working hard for ourselves, our families and our community. My culture is what keeps me motivated to achieve.

Franchesca de la Cruz Martinez

INROADS Intern at Horizon Blue Cross
The principles that my parents instilled in me have partly made me the person I am today. When I look into our past and our heritage, I can see that the ideals I live by are those shared by every person. Discipline and hard work are some of the biggest parts of me, and I am glad to continue that part of my lineage every day.

Jose Felix Combs

INROADS College Links Scholar, San Antonio, Texas
My heritage enables me to feel proud of my success, even when I’m around people who don’t look like me. It can be intimidating, but knowing that a Nicaraguan is achieving something great is something I hold dearly. I believe it’s important for people of all different backgrounds to be highlighted because, when I was little, I never saw anyone like me achieving in the IT field.

Jorge Garcia-Alfaro

INROADS Intern at Guidewell
My INROADS internship experience at Kite Pharmaceuticals is giving me the knowledge I need to pursue my goal of making medical products and devices more accessible to developing countries such as El Salvador.

Jahayra Guzman-Rivas

INROADS Intern at Kite Pharmaceuticals
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Growing up in a family that valued hard work and resilience, I learned the importance of perseverance. My parents' sacrifices as immigrants have inspired me to work hard and pursue my dreams, knowing that I am building on the foundation they laid for me. What makes me feel proud of my culture and heritage is the strong work ethic and dedication to excelling in studies and career.

Axel Pineda

INROADS Intern at Atria Wealth Solutions
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My grandparents worked hard for my parents to be the first in their families to go to college. I am proud of my heritage and culture, and as I seek new opportunities, I lean on those that came before me. I am proud of our resiliency.

Martin Gutierrez

INROADS College Links Scholar, San Antonio, Texas
Image
My heritage inspires me to achieve success due to my family's history. Like most of Puerto Rico at the time, my ancestors made their living as agricultural laborers working on sugarcane plantations. Despite the poor conditions they grew up in, my grandparents chose to start over in New York and pursue new opportunities.

Joshua Román

INROADS College Links Scholar, Atlanta, Georgia
Image
From an early age, I knew my destiny was to go to college. I simply got lucky to make it into the number one public university, the University of California, Berkeley. Since then, I have not taken any moment for granted. The more I've spent time at UC Berkeley, I realize my bachelor's degree is in honor of my family.

Jimena Fajardo Sepulveda

INROADS Intern at OLLY PBC
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INROADS has connected me with amazing corporate sponsors and has coached me to become an even more valuable asset for a company. Additionally, INROADS is always there to support me when I need advice about my academic or career path. I aspire to master the world of finance, make a significant contribution in my career, and help my community overcome financial struggles.

Ivan Hernandez

INROADS Intern at Alvarez and Marsal
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I feel close to my Hispanic heritage and the strong community surrounding it. My unique multicultural upbringing - including my Hispanic Heritage, a Taiwanese-American mom, and a Turkish dad - has given me the opportunity to appreciate different cultures and motivated me to give back and make a difference.

Kelin Gonzalez

College Links Scholar, Washington, D.C.
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My heritage and culture inspire me because I’ve seen all the challenges and tribulations we as a people have overcome. My future goal is to work in data science at a credible company and contribute to the prosperity of our nation.

Jarrett Karner

INROADS Intern at the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
Image
Coming from a Hispanic background, I’ve grown up around so many hardworking people who had limited opportunities or people who struggled and persevered. Being first-generation empowers me to keep pushing. I’m not only making my parents proud but other members of my community who didn’t get the chance to reach their dreams.

Melanie Guzman

INROADS Intern at UPS
Image
The persistence and drive that my culture shares is what inspires me to achieve success. "La vida sigue adelante (life moves forward)” were the words my mother always said to me growing up. No matter what difficulties and challenges my parents faced coming to California, their lives moved forward.

Jimmy Salvador-Contreras

INROADS Intern sponsored by Dollar General
Image
Dominicans are hard workers. Something we always say is, “Aqui en la lucha (here in the fight).” We are consistently working hard for ourselves, our families and our community. My culture is what keeps me motivated to achieve.

Franchesca de la Cruz Martinez

INROADS Intern at Horizon Blue Cross
Image
The principles that my parents instilled in me have partly made me the person I am today. When I look into our past and our heritage, I can see that the ideals I live by are those shared by every person. Discipline and hard work are some of the biggest parts of me and I am glad to continue that part of my lineage every day.

Jose Felix Combs

INROADS College Links Scholar, San Antonio, Texas
Image
My heritage enables me to feel proud of my success, even when I’m around people who don’t look like me. It can be intimidating, but knowing that a Nicaraguan is achieving something great is something I hold dearly. I believe it’s important for people of all different backgrounds to be highlighted because, when I was little, I never saw anyone like me achieving in the IT field.

Jorge Garcia-Alfaro

INROADS Intern at Guidewell
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