Elizabeth Orona
Meet Elizabeth
Pronouns: She/Her/Ella
Major: Early Childhood Studies
Year: Third Year
Hometown: Long Beach, CA
What is your favorite memory or experience at SSU?
My favorite memory at SSU is participating in student panels. I have been a part of panels in order to improve enrollment, talking to future college students, outreach for FAST (First-and Second-Year Transition Program) and outreach for Associated Students. Every single time I participate in one I take a second and I'm just like "wow, as a first-generation, low-income, Latina student I was able to make it this far. And not only that but have my voice and experiences be heard by others." I take a moment every time and think about that and an overflow of joy, excitement, and feeling proud just overpowers the nerves of speaking in front of a bunch of people. These have been my favorite memories at SSU because if it weren't for programs and jobs available on campus I would never be able to have those experiences.
My involvement on campus means the world to me, I knew if I would have stayed local I would have not been as involved. I would go to class, come home, then go work my comfortable off campus job. Here I know everyone, I always have a familiar face and I'm able to experience things I never would have been able to.
What made you choose SSU?
I chose SSU specifically for PUERTA (Preparing Underrepresented Educators to Realize their Teaching Ambitions), a program housed under the CAASE (Center for Academic Access and Student Enrichment). The program head at the time called me, asked my major, what I wanted to be, a little about myself, and if I had accepted my offer to SSU. I told him I was a first generation chicana who wanted to be a teacher to empower future generations, and he immediately told me "what are you thinking, this program is perfect for you." After that 15 minute phone call I decided SSU was a perfect opportunity for me. What scared me was the amount of people who didn't look like me, but being with PUERTA I was able to find faculty and students that looked like and came from areas I came from. I felt comfortable and welcomed and couldn't have asked for a better environment to grow in.
What has been the most challenging part of your college experience and what did you learn from it?
The most challenging thing has been being far away from home. Out here in Northern California, I don't have any family members, and I didn't have a community. I was very isolated and alone my first two semesters on campus, but this has taught me independence, leadership, and responsibilities. Being so alone pushed me to make a change in my life and look for a community. I learned how to be lost, ask questions, fail and try again.
Of course when people come to college they learn how to be adults, but for me I was introduced to really learning how to keep myself accountable. How to know when it's time to have fun versus getting to study and saying “no” to friends even if you wanted to go. What I most loved about learning these things is being able to go back home to Southern California and apply them. I become more independent with my family and I set boundaries, which is hard coming from a Latinx household.
What have you been involved with at SSU?
Associated Students Productions, FAST Peer Mentor, and Sigma Pi Alpha Sorority, Incorporated