Featured TRiO Student: Yuri Perez
Why did you join the TRiO SSS?
I did join TRIO to take advantage of its several supportive services. There are many issues in college, such as course and major choices or transfer applications that require being very careful. Then, you need to tackle those in order to successfully graduate and transfer to a prestigious four-year university. And that is where Trio comes to the scene.
CSN Trio staff is always available to listen to your concerns. They will do their best to help you in overcoming any difficulties. Moreover, their expertise will be at your service to find out which choices fit better your interests and at the end I have the confidence I am making the right decisions for my career.
What are your school goals?
Thanks to Trio I currently have very clear school goals. My Trio Advisor and I have been working on it and I have a straight plan to graduate this coming spring 2013 and then transfer to university.
What is one thing you wish you were told when you started college?
Many, but let me just say that planning how to complete the associate degree ahead of time might save complications later. One more thing, it is to know about scholarships that will help you to pay your education.
If you won a million dollars, what is the first thing you would do?
I have been involved in democracy, human rights, free market economy and rule of law promotion for several years. I strongly believe that individual liberties are sacred and every human deserve them. If I won a million dollars, first thing I would take a little vacation and later I would invest that money in a foundation to promote these ideals.
What motivates you to graduate in college?
In my homeland, Cuba I was expelled from university because my ideas. Under a communist or socialist regime it is impossible to get quality education, without indoctrination. Here, college education with academic freedom enables students to achieve their dreams. College education is a way to improve our minds and get the skills needed for a civic and professional life. Therefore, I am very grateful to American people for the opportunity to come here and graduate from college.
What is your dream job and why?
I see myself working in the world of ideas. I had the opportunity to intern with the Cato Institute at Washington DC during the summer. There, I was involved on the public policy creation from a very influential think tank devoted to the promotion of individual liberties, free markets, and peace. It was perfect, definitely my dream job!