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Hometown: Tucson, Ariz.
Major: English, human development
Notable activities/achievements: Winner, Archbishop Oscar A. Romero Scholarship, St. Alphonsus Rodriguez Student Leadership Award; orientation leader; captain of the Fuego del Corazon dance troupe; co-director of Latino student recruitment efforts for the Organization of Latin American Affairs; McNair Scholar; helped raise $20,000 for Mississippi Delta Region while on the AHANA Leadership Council Volunteer Corps immersion trip; studied in Madrid, where he co-organized activities for Moroccan children at the local YMCA
Post-graduation plans: Attend the Donovan Urban Teaching Scholars Program at Boston College in preparation to work in urban area high schools
Overview: Baeza, the first in his family to go to college, has made the most of his Boston College experience, whether pursuing leadership opportunities or broadening his view of the world through service trips and studying abroad. He also has found time to enjoy the arts, as captain of BC’s popular Latino dance group Fuego del Corazon. Now he is poised to share the lessons he has learned — inside and outside the classroom — beyond Chestnut Hill.
What did you take away from your work with the ALC Volunteer Corps?
The ALC Volunteer Corps experience was my first face-to-face encounter with the reality of the struggle many urban schools face in the US. As part of our educational experience, a group of us went down to the Mississippi Delta Region to address our nation’s achievement gap in a very personal way by providing reading assessments to elementary students and talking to high school students about college. This was one of the experiences that made me realize I wanted to teach students instead of counseling students. I believe that, as a teacher able to work with students everyday in an academic setting, I can have more of direct effect on their lives.
What has been your best experience at BC?
Being a member of Fuego del Corazon, BC’s only Latin dance team. It was my home away from home, a family of people that I will always hold dear to my heart. Aside from learning the technicalities of Latin dancing and the logistics of running an organized dance team, I also learned how to be a leader. Additionally, it was a new experience for me that really pushed out of my comfort zone; I never thought I would be performing Latin ballroom dance in college.
Who are the people — teachers, administrators, mentors — who made a difference in your life over the last four years?
I have been fortunate enough to have a number of great people guide me through my last four years. These people are the ones I went to when I needed help and the first ones to know about any good news. They also made sure to push me when I needed it and times when they felt I could challenge myself more. These people consisted of my professor in the English Department, faculty directors from First Year Experience, and even the counselor who accepted me at BC. The important thing to know is that there are potential mentors around you as a student all the time, whether at your job or in your classrooms —even your peers will make a difference in your life. The challenge sometimes lies in an individual’s willingness to allow people in their lives.
What advice would you give to an incoming freshman looking to get the most out of his/her years at BC?
The secret to getting the most out your four years at Boston College is simply getting involved. I encourage every student to invest his/her time and energy into an organization or club that he/she is interested in. This is especially important for first-year students because it allows you to meet other students who share common interests. These organizations help you build your own community at BC. The earlier you get involved the earlier you can find a community to thrive in.
Click here to view our final "Senior to Remember," honors nursing student Ashley Thibodeau.