Rocio Luna
Class Level
Senior
Degree Objective
Bachelor of Arts
Major/Department
Spanish with a minor in Journalism
Hometown
Ceres
Why did you choose CSU Stanislaus?
I didn’t know much about the campus, but one day when I came to the Chicano Latino Youth Conference, which is hosted every year at the university, I fell in love with the beauty of the campus and decided this was the best place for me to be. I knew I belonged here. I ended up being a university ambassador tour guide, and now I know more about the university than most students. I love it. I feel like fish in the water.
What does 'learning' mean to you, as it pertains to a college environment
Learning for me is an opportunity, and one that not many people have. I’m fortunate to be a student at a great institution like CSU Stanislaus. My parents always told me that people can take away anything from me except my education and what I learn. Learning empowers us with knowledge, and with that power we can basically do anything we wish and want.
What clubs, sports, and activities have you participated in? Any fun/memorable experiences?
One of the clubs that I have participated in has been Teatro Los Hijos Del Campo. I love acting and the fact that it was in Spanish and it was comedy. I felt like it was just what I needed. I was also part of LULAC and Hunger Network. Getting involved on campus has made my college years go by faster than I thought possible. But the best thing about being involved in those different clubs was the fact that I was able to help students and others through our community service.
Who is your most influential personal and/or University mentor?
This is a tough question, because I would say that many, many people here have inspired me in so many different ways. They have all been there for me when I needed their help and support — my professors, advising counselors and others — but I would say that Carolina Alfaro, an admissions counselor, has been one of the most important people in my life since I started here as a freshman. Not only did she became my friend, but she has also inspired me to be an admissions counselor like her and has also inspired me to help my community without expecting anything back except the satisfaction of knowing that you did the right thing and that people truly appreciate it.
What makes you tick? What do you do for fun?
My family plays a very important role in how I get inspired to move on with life. There are many times when I just feel tired, but then my family comes into play, and I get motivated and strong enough to overcome any obstacle and live each day as if there was no tomorrow. I'm a university ambassador for the Admissions and Outreach office here at the university, and I have a lot of fun at work. I love the people I work with. But besides all that, I also love to dance, watch soap operas, and listen to music, and of course spend time with my family.
How would you convince a prospective student that CSU Stanislaus is the best fit for their higher education needs?
Just as with my own experience, I would recommend they come and see the campus and how beautiful it is. I guess there are millions of options for students to choose from, and they should find the one that best fits them. At CSU Stanislaus, not only do we have some of the best academic programs like business administration, but the faculty, staff and students are all very nice people who care about all students. CSU Stanislaus is also a very small campus, but it’s very big in the opportunities it offers. There is something here for everyone.
