Essex County Student Says Hispanic Heritage Is A Gift To Share – Patch.com

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of Caldwell University. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site.

Aryana Velez was meeting with Caldwell University’s associate dean of the School of Business and Computer Science, Virginia Rich, J.D., her freshman year, listening to her explain the field of healthcare administration, and a “light bulb went off.” Instantly, Velez knew she wanted to pursue a bachelor of science in health care administration.

Today, Velez is a senior and over the last three years she has immersed herself in the program, becoming president of the Healthcare Administration Club (she is now the VP) and speaking at admissions open houses and accepted students days. She tells incoming students the program is a “hidden gem … a wonderful mix of healthcare and business.”

“I’m a big advocate,” said Velez, a commuter from Belleville, who has done two internships and sees how Caldwell University professors and the coursework have readied her for the marketplace.

This past summer, she worked at the occupational health service company Concentra in Secaucus, where she shadowed professionals in the physical therapy, managerial, and medical assessments areas, and visited different sites in New Jersey. Now she is working at St. Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston as a receptionist. Both internships “pulled from each academic course” she took at Caldwell in the School of Business and Computer Science, especially professor Jeffrey Egnatovich’s Introduction to Health Care Administration class and her Sociology of Medicine and Ethics in Healthcare Administration classes.

Students in the program are prepared for careers in hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, life-care residential facilities, clinics, health insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies and medical practices. They take a variety of business, health and communications courses; the program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.

As Velez looks to her professional future, she knows she would like to incorporate her perspectives and insights on culture as a Hispanic woman into her career work; she is interested in pursuing the diversity and inclusion aspect of health care and educating people about equal access. “I’m hoping I can change the health care system.” Raising awareness of bias in the workplace is important to her. “It is such an inspiring field to be a part of.”

An alumna of Paramus Catholic High School, Velez was thankful that she benefited from the Catholic High School Scholarship and New Jersey Tuition Aid and Federal Pell Grants to help her afford her university education.

Velez has engaged in other campus activities including holding the vice presidency of the sorority Kappa Beta Gamma. She cherishes the friendships she has made with other members, the focus on women’s empowerment and the charities the sorority supports, including the Special Olympics.
She is happy to be celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, honoring her Puerto Rican and Argentinian backgrounds.

“I love to express my Hispanic heritage,” she said, including playing Hispanic music in the car with her friends, and eating foods like arroz con gandules con pollo, which is rice and beans with chicken.

“I visit Puerto Rico once a year,” she said. “It’s a big part of my life.”

Most important to her is her family. She grew up with her father, mother, grandmother and aunt in the same household. They encouraged her to learn Spanish and her grandma and aunt taught her to cook the delicious Puerto Rican dishes. These are gifts she wants to pass on.

“I want to carry them to others or my children,” she said.

Rich said Aryana’s story inspires her and her team to continue on with the good work they’re doing in the department.

“I’m pleased and grateful that Aryana has done so well and taken advantage of the many opportunities that are here for our students,” Rich said.

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