Like many college students, Giovanni Hernandez has a lot on his plate. He鈥檚 excelling in challenging engineering coursework as a civil engineering major, with an emphasis in construction engineering and management, and a 4.0 GPA.听
The dedication it takes to get a 4.0 GPA was something Hernandez did not have to do, but it was important to him because of how much he values the education he is receiving at CU Boulder.
鈥淚'm the first one in my family to go to college,鈥� he said. 鈥淎 lot of my family in Mexico works in construction but is not well paid. I want to work as a manager and leader in construction.鈥澨�
Above: Giovanni Hernandez,听Morgan Hollenback,听Emily King, and Renae Reeve.
Header: photo courtesy of Joseph Roybal Photography.
Hernandez, who moved here seven years ago, said his friends in Mexico did not have that option.听
鈥淭his is an opportunity to take advantage of everything I鈥檝e been given.鈥�
Hernandez is balancing听 multiple scholarships, clubs and social opportunities听 as well. In fact, he has eleven different scholarships with various听 requirements and obligations, with听 one more waiting on renewal for the upcoming school year.听
Because English is Hernandez鈥檚 second language, he decided to start out at a community college. He took general engineering classes for three years where he earned two associates degrees, one associates degree of science and one associates degree of Science with Mathematics designation. While at community college he took advanced English classes before transferring to CU Boulder..听
Hernandez said his transition to CU Boulder wasn鈥檛 easy. On a bigger campus, with no one in his family to guide him through the challenges of college, he sought out people and places to help him find his way.听听
The BOLD Center, in particular, has been a safe place for Herndandez as he navigates his way through college. He describes his experience at the BOLD Center as a place where he found community.听
鈥淎t first when I transferred to CU I felt lost, but then I got selected as a BOLD scholar, and started meeting people there,鈥� he said. 鈥淣ow I go every day and have found my family there. I go and do homework there, and the people know me really well. I like to communicate with others when I am there, increase my network and ask听 any questions and express any ideas I might have.鈥澨�
Outside of BOLD, Hernandez has found several mentors that have helped guide him through college. He applied to the Kiewit Design-Build Program, a scholarship program that also pairs students with young employee mentors听 at Kiewit, primarily because of the mentorship aspect. He said Jennifer Hansen, the Kiewit Design-Build Program administrator, and senior instructor Matthew Morris have also been key mentors for him.
鈥淕iovanni is an amazing student who is thriving in our civil engineering program. It鈥檚 impressive to witness his drive and determination as he tackles so many challenges.听 We鈥檙e very pleased to see him earn the recognition that he deserves鈥� said Matthew Morris.听
The Kiewit program has also helped him get to know other students outside of the classroom.听
鈥淛ust being in a class with someone does not make them feel like a real person,鈥� he said 鈥淕etting to know them outside of class through the scholarship program makes it feel more like a friendship. It has been a great way to expand my network.鈥�
Those friendships have provided balance to Hernandez鈥檚 college experience. He said he has a lot going on with his family and school, but his friends encourage him to go hiking, to take a break during their frequent study groups, to go on a walk, or to get food together.听
Hernandez has one more year to perform his balancing act before he graduates. After that, he wants to take a short break from school and work for a general contractor. But he does plan to eventually get his master鈥檚, maybe on the design side of construction.听