Jess Cruz ’26
Major and year: Educational Studies, 2026
Organizations Involved In: Asian American Student Association, Garden Groupies
How did you first get involved with the Center for Hartford Engagement and Research (CHER)? What initially inspired you to participate in community learning or civic engagement initiatives?
I was first involved with CHER within the first month of being at Trinity in the fall of 2022 when I was introduced to Trinfo Cafe. Coming in as a first-year eager to start working with the youth of Trinity’s community, I was connected to the leaders at Trinfo, Karolina Barrientos and Carlos Espinosa, by Jack Dougherty, the chair of ed studies. From here, I was an afterschool teacher for Trinfo’s afterschool programming at Environmental Science Magnet School at Mary Hooker & Expeditionary Learning Academy at Moylan School for two semesters until that program unfortunately ended. This was difficult because I loved this job, but it did bring me to my current position as a mentor for HMTCA students that take Trinity College courses — which I have so much passion for.
What has been the most rewarding part of your work with CHER, the Office of Community Service and Civic Engagement, or HMTCA Partnerships?
The most rewarding part of my work as a mentor for HMTCA students is the growth that I see during our one-on-one meetings, especially when they self-initiate reaching out to me or other resources on campus. When students come to me and tell me about test-timing struggles or test anxiety and start to lead our meetings with their questions, it feels immensely rewarding for so many reasons as they are becoming able to trust me, and they’re utilizing me as a resource and mentor which is exactly what I’m there for.
Can you share a memorable experience or story from your involvement with CHER?
One memorable experience is connected to what I shared in the previous question. I had a student that came in and shared concerns about her test. She received a lower score than she wanted and felt like she was taking longer than her peers. I told her about my exact experience growing up and how I learned to cope with it and shared the term “test anxiety” and told her about how common and difficult it can be, but also all the possibilities to work on it, including all the resources that she can look at at her colleges that she had applied to. From this, I could tell that by the end of the meeting and into the future meetings, she felt a bit more confident in herself and her abilities, and she finally felt heard.
How has your role in CHER allowed you to connect with the Hartford community?
My role in CHER has allowed me to connect with multiple schools in the Hartford community which has brought so many opportunities for programming for those students. I’ve partnered with P.R.I.D.E. and Asian American Student Association to host multiple social activities for those students, especially with HMTCA. Doing so, I hope to help promote a sense of belonging for HMTCA on Trinity Campus and with the Trinity community.
What skills have you developed through your involvement with CHER and community engagement?
Through my work with CHER and community engagement, I have developed the skill for adaptability. With community engagement, there is lots of planning that takes place, and sometimes those plans do go as expected.
How has your involvement with CHER influenced your future goals or career aspirations?
CHER has strengthened my interests in becoming a teacher and has also introduced me to community organizing which I hope to continue after my time at Trinity. I have and most likely will always enjoy working with students and seeing them grow. With community organizing, I hope to work with organizations in addition to a career in public teaching, and continue taking time to be in the world with the people around me, while also doing good for the community.
What motivates you to stay active in community engagement efforts?
My biggest motivation to stay active in the community is the goal to learn more and spend time about what/who is around me and find a place in my community. I never thought that I’d ever be able to financially leave Chicago for college, so I want to take any opportunity to give back to the community and people that have openly brought welcomed me in.
Who or what has been the biggest influence on your journey with CHER?
There are so many people! I wouldn’t know how to be the mentor, teacher, or person that I am today without all of the mentors I’ve had within CHER. Erica Crowley has been there for me since before day one, Karolina Barrientos has always been a safe space, Carlos Espinosa is one of the first people that gave me a shot on campus, Joe Barber has been immensely supportive with my community organizing efforts, and Liliana Polley has given me so many opportunities to serve the Trinity community and has believed in me during every step of the way.
My advice to students interested in becoming involved with CHER is there is no way you can go wrong with just trying it all out. I walked right into every open door I had to be able to work with CHER, and it has become such a passion and joy.
