As someone who experienced a challenging upbringing – lacking stability at home and navigating life independently – Destini Hernandez found herself constantly relocating in and around her hometown of Modesto.
She was formerly incarcerated as a young adult, but when tragedy struck her family, Hernandez was ready for a change.
As a “joke,” Hernandez, who’d graduated from a continuation school at 16, applied to Merced College.
“I sat in class the first day and it was like culture shock,” Hernandez said. “I saw the professionalism, and I was like, ‘what is this?’ I never was in that type of world. I was always closed off. When I sat down in a college classroom for the first time, something shifted in me. I fell in love with education, and I knew I wanted to become someone. Nobody I knew was going to school at that time, so I felt on top of the world, and I just kept going.”
Competitive, Hernandez thought maybe she’d earn an associate of arts in psychology and sociology.
She did so much more. No longer a street kid, foster child, or defined by her past, Destini Hernandez has become a force of resilience and purpose. Hernandez is a Stanislaus State graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, having finished her courses in December. She sought personal and professional development opportunities while on campus and found a role as the first student services professional for Project Rebound, helping students who, like her, were previously incarcerated.
She’s encouraging those students just as those in the program encouraged her.
Her transition to Stan State wasn’t altogether smooth. Hernandez had delivered a baby boy while finishing her last semester at Merced College. She began at Stan State during the COVID lockdown and attended courses online while navigating life as a new mother.
“I was introduced to Project Rebound, and it was another powerful stepping stone in my journey,” Hernandez said.
When Hernandez needed help, Project Rebound was there. She started taking classes at Stan State and experienced a moment that mirrored her life. It was another turning point.
“I was in a class discussing domestic violence and narcissism, and I got chills,” Hernandez said. “It was what I had been around all my life. I always told myself if I ever became a parent, I’m not going to put my kid through what I went through.”
She was determined to break the generational curse of violence and abuse. Education was the key, and she found her calling in sociology and forensic social work.
“I want to inspire and motivate people like me,” she said. “If I was able to do it with everything I had going on, anybody can. I’ve survived it all. I don’t know how. I just say it’s God inside of me.”
Now, her son is 5, thriving in transitional kindergarten. As a single mother, one of her greatest joys is being able to share her University experience with him. He loves going to college with her for events and programs, and even work.
Hernandez doesn’t feel sorry for herself. All she endured, all her bad experiences, have made her a better person, she said, and she now envisions a future that at one time seemed unimaginable.
She loves working for Project Rebound and is planning to enter the Master of Social Work program in spring 2026. She is on a path to one day fulfilling her dream to counsel troubled teens, maybe at a continuation school like the one she attended, or at juvenile hall. She wants to stop them from taking a further step down the wrong path as she once did.
If sharing her story can change a life, her own struggles will have been worth it.
#StanGrad File
Name
Destini Hernandez
Hometown
Modesto, CA
Degree/Credential
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
What memories stand out most from your time at Stanislaus State?
“The best memories are the ones I could create and bring my son with me. For example, Warrior Wednesdays. It gave him the experience of seeing his mother in college. This motivates my son to want to do well in school for himself. Education is essential and instilling it into our future is what it is all about. I enjoy the events that are family friendly, especially Stan State cinema nights.”
Which faculty or staff member had the greatest impact on you, and why?
“I have been fortunate to have multiple amazing individuals in my life who believed in me from the day I met them, especially in Project Rebound and the Warrior Re-Engagement Center. My journey as a student and becoming an employee has not been easy. Without their constant support, I would not have been able to accomplish all that I have. We all need encouragement, and I found that.”
What advice would you give to current and future students?
“Never give up. Although the nights and days seem long, and the mornings seem to come earlier, the reward is everlasting. Do not be afraid to ask for help. Share your story. You could be the reason someone rethinks what’s possible for them. Your past does not define you but adds to the values you are creating for yourself. Everything in life is a lesson, and it can either empower you or define your limits. It’s up to you to decide what to do with those life experiences. Don’t be afraid to take a risk and take on new opportunities. You never know what is waiting for you on the other side.”
Note: This article is part of the StanGrad series highlighting Stanislaus State students who are part of the Class of 2025. Read more StanGrad profiles.
