When senior Nicole Hernandez first arrived at Colgate University, she decided not to define what her college experience should look like. Instead, she embraced uncertainty to allow for change.
“I had no expectations, to be honest,” Hernandez said. “I did not want to put any expectations on my experience because I did not want to be disappointed and wanted to have room for growth. I knew I was going to get a great education, and was pretty open because of that.”
Over the past four years, that openness has shaped her college journey through a global perspective. Hernandez, a theater major and political science minor, found some of her most defining moments outside of Colgate’s campus.
“I would say going abroad defined my time here. I went to Geneva, Switzerland, to study political science. That was one of the most challenging and yet fun experiences I have ever had. I am so thankful. It expanded my world so much. When I came back to Colgate, I felt that expansiveness still rumbling inside,” Hernandez said.
Hernandez’s academic path remained consistent in some ways — she entered Colgate intending to study theater and is graduating with that major — but her understanding of how she wanted to use her education evolved. Initially drawn to political science as a career for its job stability, Hernandez found her career path shifting in response to her experience abroad and a need for a voice.
“Honestly, going abroad radicalized me and changed my view on going into political science post-grad,” Hernandez said. “The current global issues deterred me from our political systems. I felt the only way I could have a voice was through playwriting, so that changed my views a lot.”
That shift towards storytelling as expression led to her senior thesis, which centers on advocacy.
“My thesis is about three cousins — first-generation children of immigrants — [who] struggle with identity and belonging in the United States, until a miraculous event challenges their understanding of home, revealing its true meaning,” Hernandez said.
Hernandez also credits her personal development to professors who guided her throughout her time at Colgate. She noted that many of the professors she had in her first year continued to have a formative academic relationship with her through to her senior year. She emphasized her admiration for their outstanding dedication to their work.
In particular, Hernandez highlighted her admiration for Associate Professor of Theater Kyle Bass and Senior Lecturer in the University Theater Simona Giurgea, who opened her eyes to the creation of new worlds in playwriting.
“I started off my freshman year with the same professors I am ending it off with. They had the most impact on me because they taught me about being human,” Hernandez said. “I think theater is a subject that creates so much empathy, and those professors just love their work so much, and you can tell how much they love it by the way they speak about it. I love professors who are in love with their work because it makes me want to do the same thing.”
Outside of the classroom, Hernandez has also found meaning in a variety of campus organizations that focus on fostering dialogue and community. Advocacy groups, including Colgate Students for Liberation, helped shape her sense of belonging at Colgate.
“Colgate Students for Liberation gives students on campus the ability to hold space for their emotions during turbulent times, to talk to each other about it. The group is not intended to be perfect and know everything, so it was fully accepting of anybody,” Hernandez said.
Hernandez is also a part of the African Student Union and the Latin American Student Organization. She felt that cultural groups like these provided a much-needed space for students of color to gather on campus. Beyond these groups, Hernandez remains connected to her faith on campus through the Colgate Newman Community, a group dedicated to Catholic life.
“I always love talking to [church] elders and getting some perspective on life. Sometimes just being here can feel overly serious, and I feel that it is good to put it into perspective. It also inspires some hope,” Hernandez said.
As graduation approaches, Hernandez is looking forward to upcoming adventures. She plans to travel after graduation while continuing to develop her work as a playwright. She looks forward to possible road trips to the Grand Canyon or Colorado, as well as visiting friends in Puerto Rico.
While Hernandez is eager for what lies ahead, she also reflected on what she will leave behind at Colgate.
“I will miss the tranquility,” Hernandez said. “And the faculty — I love some of the faculty because they are so supportive. They want to see you win, and they will help to do that. I will miss my friends — we are headed on different paths.”
