Indiana University East’s Class of 2021 student speaker, Andrea Hernández, hasn’t yet shared the news with the greatest inspiration in her life – her mom.

Andrea Hernández is the student speaker for the Class of 2021. Hernández will receive a Bachelor of Science in Human Life Science and minors in psychology, neuroscience and chemistry. She is also serving as this year’s Student Government Association president.

“The reason I wanted to do this was for my mom. She has been the person with me through it all. I wanted to show her that everything I do; I do for her,” Hernández said. Her desire to make a difference and have an impact on those around her is a direct result of the example of her mother, Irma Ruiz. “If I can inspire just one person, I will feel accomplished. That characteristic is something I got from her — she’s always willing to help others and always gives her best.”

Hernández certainly has given much of herself in her college career at IU East. She’s managed the women’s soccer team. She is president of the Student Government Association. She is receiving a degree in human life science with three minors – psychology, neuroscience and chemistry. As someone who says she isn’t good at time management, she seems to have managed her time pretty well.

“It was hard, I won’t lie about that. But it was so worth it. I was never good at time management, and I will admit that sometimes I still struggle with it. It has definitely been key to getting to complete a major and three minors in only four years. It is a skill that though I knew wasn’t a strong suit for me, I learned to get better at it. I would say it is the one thing that helped me manage to do all of that as well as stay involved on campus, which is something I always wanted to do even before coming into college.”

Hernández said she was considering several schools when looking at her options, including Boston University, Loyola in New Orleans and others. A friend who played soccer at IU East encouraged her to visit the campus before finalizing a decision.

“I was looking for a place that felt like home. When I came to visit, IU East showed me to be exactly that,” she said, “a place where I could grow into my best version while connecting with people who were going to have an impact in my life.”

After taking a break for a year with some other projects, Hernández intends to go to medical school. A desire to go into medicine came early. When she was in the second grade, she was hospitalized for a while with a condition sometimes called Spring Fever. She remembers being impressed by the nurses, doctors and staff “all doing their job. And I loved how they worked together to help others. Ever since then I knew I wanted to go into the medical field.”

Her IU East experience shaped her into who she’s becoming today, she said. Completing her senior year during a worldwide pandemic was an educational experience in itself.

“I have always been a person to follow a plan and not go off course. This year taught me that sometimes things don’t go according to plan – and this is okay,” Hernández said. “You just have to take a breather and think about what is best in the long run. I found new passions, had more time with my family, learned the power of unity and communication, and grew stronger.”

Originally from Puerto Rico, most of her family is there and in Florida. Her move to Indiana for college was a major change for her. “Moving away and creating a life of my own was very different, and very new. But showing my mom and my family the fruits of my labor here has been the most significant thing for me.”

IU East selects the student speaker through an application process open to any graduating senior receiving a baccalaureate degree with a minimum grade point average of 3.30. This includes December 2020, May, June, and August degree candidates. Selected applicants audition for the honor and are chosen by committee.

Her mother was thrilled when Hernández was selected to be on an IU East billboard. She was proud when she became president of the SGA last year. And Hernández says her mother will also be thrilled when she learns the surprise of her daughter’s choice as the student speaker.

“I know she will cry…but happy tears, I know she will be proud, which is my goal — to make her proud,” Hernández said. “That is why when I got chosen to be the student speaker, I was so excited. Not only will I get to give back a meaningful message to those present, but I will be able to make my mom proud.”

IU East’s Commencement Ceremony is at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 14, in front of Whitewater Hall. Commencement attendance is limited to graduates only. Family and friends may join the celebration via live stream available on the IU East Commencement website at https://www.iue.edu/commencement.