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Yenni Hernandez-Saldana covered some rough terrain in her journey to a degree at the 51����. As an immigrant and first-generation college student, she faced a few financial obstacles. In fact, she left USF after her freshman year and worked in a factory because money was tight.

But she never gave up, returned to her studies and today serves as a USF success story. Hernandez-Saldana’s determination, coupled with care and concern from faculty and staff at USF, led her to a celebratory finish.

After once thinking that going to college would be impossible, Hernandez-Saldana graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education in May 2020. Hernandez-Saldana is part of the DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) program.

“You’ve heard that expression, ‘She persisted.’ That’s what Yenni did,” said Mary Riepenhoff, USF Director of Education.

Hernandez-Saldana’s last academic obstacle was her most daunting. Prior to her senior year, she was in a planning session with USF Professor Dan Torlone. She mentioned she probably wouldn’t be able to afford to finish her academic career due to financial problems. Torlone helped her turn everything around and reminded her why she chose USF in the first place.

“It wasn’t that I didn’t have the grades or didn’t want to come back to school, but I didn’t think I could afford it,” Hernandez-Saldana said. “The people at 51���� took the initiative of caring about me and wanting me to succeed.”

Torlone talked with Riepenhoff and the wheels were set in motion.

“When you talk about the mission of our school and any of our programs, it’s about having that relationship with students first and letting them know that we do understand their struggles,” Riepenhoff said. “Then we can reach out in different ways to help them and support them.”

Riepenhoff talked with Vice President for Academic Affairs Lance Richey, who in turn shared Hernandez-Saldana’s story with Interim Vice President for Enrollment Management Joel Winkowski. “USF has a commitment to helping students who need it the most and are, in turn, committed to handing on our values to others through their work and lives,” Richey said. “Yenni is a prime example of this spirit.”

Winkowski read the email about Hernandez-Saldana and recognized her name. As it turned out, Hernandez-Saldana had been a classroom intern for Winkowski’s wife, Carol. After meetings with Joel Winkwoski, writing an essay on community service, and committing to volunteer hours and helping in recruiting Latino students, Hernandez-Saldana received an endowed scholarship.

“It’s amazing how God works in so many ways,” Hernandez-Saldana said. “They were able to help me get a sponsor to help pay for my senior year. I was very grateful everything happened the way it did.”

The financial assistance kept Hernandez-Saldana on her senior-year track, and she celebrated her graduation in May. She has her sights set on a special education teaching career once her husband, Joshua Hernandez, is assigned his new base in the Navy. The couple welcomed a baby, Romeo, in September.

Hernandez-Saldana was only 5 years old when she came to the United States from Mexico. Earning a college degree seemed like a long-shot fantasy. Today, she’s a prime example of the power of persistence—with some help from people who care.

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