NEA recognizes CMU faculty member with national award

Central Michigan University associate professor Paul Hernandez was honored with the 2012 Reg Weaver Human and Civil Rights award July 1 in Washington, D.C., by the National Education Association for his work in helping at-risk youth succeed in higher learning through his College 101 program.

 

The award, named after a past president of the NEA, is given to individuals who have made a significant impact in working with at-risk students and assisting children in poverty with their education.

 

Hernandez created the College 101 program, which focuses on motivating high school and middle school youth who are at risk of dropping out of school before graduation. The course, run on CMU’s campus with the help of CMU student volunteers, teaches students the advantages of higher education while breaking down the costs and opportunities for financial aid in order to show students that continuing their education is possible for anyone.

 

In the inaugural 2009 course, Hernandez reported 89 percent of participating students felt a significant boost in confidence about their potential to attend college.

 

Hernandez says he is grateful to have been chosen for the award.

 

“I feel extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to serve at-risk students,” Hernandez said. “I already have many things in motion to continue to expand on the good College 101 can do for at-risk students.”

 

Through his program, Hernandez uses his own childhood circumstances of being raised in the impoverished gang culture of Los Angeles to provide students with opportunities and hands-on experiences to support educational success.

 

“When I was in school, I wasn’t treated like a person,” Hernandez said. “I was treated like someone who was just taking up space. There was no one within my area to teach me how to achieve levels of success.”

 

Michigan Education Association President Steven Cook says the Reg Weaver Human and Civil Rights award is one of the most prestigious awards the NEA has to offer.

“We’re proud to see the award given to Dr. Hernandez for his outstanding work with at-risk youth,” Cook said. “By introducing them to the real and achievable dreams of higher education, Dr. Hernandez is truly saving lives.”

Hernandez is hopeful the students he has come in contact with will use the skills learned through College 101 to continue their educational journey.

 

“Regardless of where a student is from, what experiences they have been through, they can connect their passion with education and make their dreams a reality,” Hernandez said.

 

Dean of CMU's College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences Pam Gates says Hernandez brings his own life experiences and he’s willing to share those.

 

“He’s at the beginning of his career, and he’s making such a difference in the lives of young people,” Gates said. “We’re going to see great things happening.”