Hispanic Heritage Month
Valeria Martinez
Major, degree pursued: Statistics (Applied Statistics option), bachelor of science
Prospective graduation year: 2025
Positions held: member, Latinx Leadership Institution; president, Eberly College of Science Student Council; intern, Penn State Football; intern, Rolls Royce; intern, Comcast; intern, Wells Fargo
What motivates you to do/pursue science and/or medicine?
Growing up, my biggest role model was my mother, who obtained her master's in mechanical engineering, a feat that at the time only 4 percent of Latinas had achieved. I was fortunate enough to have such an excellent example of a strong Hispanic woman who believed I could do anything I set my mind to. As I went through school, I faced countless obstacles that could have deterred me from pursuing science, but my mother kept encouraging me. Getting the news that I was accepted to the Penn State Eberly College of Science was one of the best days of my life. But even better is now being in my senior year and looking back at all the obstacles I have overcome and accomplishments I have earned. Science is so much more than chemical reactions and mathematical proofs; it drives progress and defines the mysterious world around us. I have always been and will continue to be so proud to identify as a Hispanic woman in science.
What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?
Hispanic Heritage Month to me is a celebration of who we are and where we come from but also a time to think about the future. My biggest hope is that in 10 years I can look back and marvel at how far we have come and all of our achievements to date.