My name is Mayra Badillo and I am a Latino student at Medgar Evers College (MEC).  Initially, I did not have plans to go to MEC because I knew that it was a historically black school, and I feared not having a place there as a Latin student.  In March 2004, I was mandated through the Human Resource Administration to attend a program known as P.O.I.S.E.D. for Success, which is held at MEC.  Its goals are to help develop academic, parenting, and vocational skills.  During my time there, I began to think about going back to college and follow a childhood dream of becoming a teacher.  Coincidently, MEC had an education program, and I decided I was going to give it a try.

          My first semester as a MEC student was in August 2004.  At first, the feelings that I initially had about feeling out of place began to surface.  Although my main objective was to complete my degree, a part of me wanted to make friends, but I just didn’t feel like I could relate to the other students.  However, through collaborative class projects, I was able to adapt to my environment, and make some acquaintances.  My goal was to make the best out of the situation, get my Associates Degree in Teacher Education, and transfer to Brooklyn College for my Bachelors Degree. 

        Everything began to change once I became familiar with the Education Department and made the decision to complete my bachelor’s degree at MEC.  It was this breaking point where the lines of cultural differences were erased.  Because the department is so small, I repeatedly encountered the same students in my education courses.  In 90% of the classes I took, I was the only Latin student.  Personally, it didn’t make that much of a difference where the students shared the same dream.  In fact, we established a community and supported each other through this educational experience.  Being Latina did not make a difference.   

         Due to the feeling of being outcast, it can be a challenge for other ethnic groups to complete their studies at MEC.  In 2008, a small group of Latino students, with the help of Dr. Diaz, decided to establish a club, Association of Latin American Students, (ALAS), as an outreach to other Latin students experiencing similar feelings and challenges.  In the midst of the outreach, I remember a  Latina student who felt that she no longer wanted to be a part of the MEC community, due to feeling outcast.  ALAS gave her a home where she was able to vent, cry, and receive the support that I know so many other Latinos at MEC need. 

          As the former Vice President of ALAS, I can proudly say that having a voice and being part of something that represents you as a student makes the college experience all the more better and exciting.  During my time at ALAS, we had events that spoke upon issues prevalent in the Latin culture, celebrated and recognized the different groups within the Latin people, and simply supported each other in so many ways. 

          Although my time at ALAS was brief, I am proud to have been part of something positive.  The fact that ALAS is still standing strong speaks volumes of the dedication its newest members have to the Latin community at MEC.  I would encourage all Latinos to be a part of the club, hear testimonies, and know that they are not alone.  MEC has a lot to offer for all.  If I had let race be a contributing factor to attending the school, I would have missed a promising educational experience.

UPDATE:  Currently, I am a special education teacher at Public School 124 in Brooklyn.  I am at the beginning of my graduate studies at Hunter College.  I am enrolled in the Teaching English to Students of Other Languages (TESOL) program.  Most people would recognize this as English as a Second Language (ESL).  I am enrolled part-time, and hope to graduate by 2013.  MEC will always hold a special place in my life.  I am still in contact with several professors in the college who continue to support me in my studies, and have become my friends.  I am still in contact with many of my former classmates, especially those who were in ALAS.  Many thanks to the Department of Education and ALAS for the love and support you gave and continue to give.