This year Valentina (Val) Robledo is a freshmen here at Pace. Val was born and raised in Colombia until she was 12 years old when she moved to New Jersey. She is currently pursuing a Marketing major as a part of the Lubin School of Business. Being Colombian, Val is considered a minority here at Pace. Val discussed what it feels like for her to be a minority here with me.
Q: What does it feel like to be part of a minority at Pace?
A: I don’t feel it. I don’t feel like a minority at all, honestly. I know I am because that’s what they’ve taught me and other Hispanics, blacks, people in the LGBTQ+ community, and others, so that’s how I know. But here on campus, no one has ever made me feel less than anybody. If anything, it has made me strive more.
Q: How does this make you feel?
A: It makes me feel great. It makes me feel happy because if I can do it then others can. I hope it makes others do it and feel the same way and teaches them not to hide just because of who they are. Be proud of who you are, embrace it, get the best out of it. Work to break the stereotype, because it’s gonna take more than one person.
Q: Do you think you would feel the same way if you were at a school that wasn’t Pace?
A: It’s hard to tell if I’d feel the same at other schools just because I’m not there.
Q: Are you happy with your decision to come to Pace?
A: I’m definitely happy with my decision. I couldn’t be happier.
Q: Is there anything you’d like to add about this topic?
A: Don’t let other people label you. Don’t let them tell you that just because you’re a minority you’re less than other people. You have to strive to inspire other people, and then there will be more of you, so there will be more people with the same motives to keep going forward.
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