Alumni Voices: Creating Community at Howard University
A driven young woman with strong connections to her Dominican heritage, Aileen loves the technical production and editorial elements of filmmaking. She has made the most of every opportunity at The Heritage School and at Howard University, from working part-time in the hospitality industry during the pandemic to being a brand ambassador intern with the XFL.
She is majoring in Film and Television and minoring in Spanish so that one day she can make films in Spanish for her communities to see themselves represented in her work.
Choosing A College
What led you to decide to attend Howard University?
My parents went to a CUNY and a SUNY for college, so I heard about their experiences growing up. I knew I wanted to be in a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) environment after touring my freshman year in high school. That feeling of being surrounded by people who have shared experiences really influenced me. Howard University also offered me a great financial aid package!
How was the experience working with your director of college counseling (DCC) at The Heritage School?
I remember my DCC Ms. Millie (Millicent Soto) was so amazing and responsive, especially during the pandemic. She gave me great advice and essay feedback every time I reached out. When everything was remote for school, having someone constantly in touch kept me connected and focused on my college goals.
Take some Advanced Placement and College Now classes while you’re in high school. Both allow you to earn credits that you may be able to transfer to your college later.
Aileen’s advice for high school students
Her HBCU Experience
How is your college experience so far?
My first year was tough. I was homesick a lot and trying to find my comfort foods, but there weren’t a lot of Dominican restaurants in the Howard area. But I grew to appreciate the different kinds of diversity around me, exploring Honduran and Venezuelan food, and finding my community through extracurricular activities.
I went to visit family in the Dominican Republic after my first year in college and spending time with them helped me refocus my passions. I am majoring in Film and Television with a minor in Spanish because I want to create films in Spanish someday. I’ve had amazing internship experiences and I work part-time at Howard filming and livestreaming campus events.
Tell us about something you’ve enjoyed about college!
I am Vice President of ¡Changó! the Afro-Latino and Hispanic Cultural Society at Howard University. When I first attended these club meetings, I didn’t find the environment as welcoming as I would have liked it to be, so I said to myself, “I need to be part of the leadership here to change how others experience it.”
I put in the work to support their events and become a part of that community. Later their leadership encouraged me to run for VP. Besides truly finding community in this space, this has been such a valuable learning process and I love being part of making history at an HBCU.
Advice for High School Students
What advice would you offer to high school students as they begin their journeys to college?
Take some Advanced Placement and College Now classes while you’re in high school. With College Now, you get to experience what classes at a CUNY campus feel like. Both allow you to earn credits that you may be able to transfer to your college later.
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