Sitting in a Spanish-language orientation session, Aurora University's first Latina president couldn't help but think back on her college experience.
Rivera-Mills, 52, has spent much of her first few weeks on the job acquainting herself with the staff and community members and finding inspiration at student orientation sessions. by signing up you agree to our terms of service A native of El Salvador, Rivera-Mills came to the United States at age 12 after her family fled a civil war. She says it was a simple but profound word choice in a conversation with a high school teacher that helped her realize anything is possible. The teacher said"when you go to college" instead of"if you go to college."
Rivera-Mills said the private university's commitment to serving a broad range of students and keeping tuition within reach for students drew her to Aurora. "I want them to start thinking about that on day one so they can become professionals before they graduate," she said.