Manuela Gonzalez-Antonio

Hola! I am Manuela (my pronouns are: she, her, hers, and ella), I am a second year at SSU. I am aspiring to earn a major in criminal justice and a double major in spanish. I came to the U.S. at age 12 and began learning my third language, as I am fluent in a Mayan dialect, Spanish, and now English. I am a first-generation college student and I am being raised and supported by my immigrant mother.

In my first year at SSU, I started off as a Chef’s Assistant with Culinary Services. I moved my way up by becoming an EOP Summer Bridge Leader. I am currently a Theme Living Advisor and a future TA for UNIV 238.

Living and working on campus has given me the opportunity to know more about those who make up this wonderful community. My main focus has been on helping incoming freshman make a successful transition into college life. With these positions, I have grown and gained a new understanding of the wide variety of student experiences.

As a person of color, I have encountered prejudice and oppression, I have seen this happen to my professors and colleagues. Which has been surprising to me because I come from a very diverse community back home. This has motivated me to stay involved on campus and build bridges, as well as speak up about it because if we don’t, nothing will be done about it.

My EOP family has been my biggest support at SSU, they have guided me and have given me a place on campus, as well as my professors and tutor Mary. They have taught me that everything is possible at SSU if we work hard and spread love instead of hate and inequality. A proud Guatemalan Seawolf y’all!