Francisco Cervantes

Francisco Cervantes is a mathematical sciences, secondary education licensure major from North Riverside, IL

Hometown: North Riverside, IL

High School: Riverside-Brookfield High School

Year: Expected graduation: Spring 2028

What is your major (and/or minor), and why did you decide on this course of study?
My major is mathematical sciences with licensure in secondary education. I decided to major in mathematics with secondary education licensure because I want to make a positive difference in this world. I felt I could achieve that through teaching and hope to make math more enjoyable for students.

What has genuinely surprised you about your experience at NIU?
I was surprised by the number of resources available at NIU. There is tutoring for many subjects and accommodations for students, as well as several cultural resource centers, like the Latino Resource Center.

Are you involved in student organizations, mentoring programs or extracurricular activities? If so, which ones, and how have they shaped your experience as a Huskie?
I am involved in the Honors Program, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Club and Supporting Opportunities for Latinos (SOL). The Honors Program has been really great for me because it provides a community that takes education very seriously and pushes me to be better academically. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is an activity I really enjoy because I like to see myself progressing within the sport, and the people in the club make it really fun. It's shaped me to be a more sociable person, too. The SOL organization has provided a group of people who share a background similar to mine.

What NIU offices, departments or resources have helped you feel supported and successful, and how?
The Honors Program has supported me the most. They provided me with a community that takes education seriously, and they also have fun activities that allow me to destress from school.

Who has been a favorite instructor or professor, and what did they teach? What made them memorable?
Ricela Feliciano-Semidei has probably been my favorite instructor. She taught MATH 416. What made her memorable was the additional help she provided for my project. She led me in the right direction and gave me great feedback to help improve it.

Where is your favorite spot on campus or in the community, and why are you drawn to it?
The fourth floor of the library is my favorite place to study. It is very quiet, and there are less people there than on the first and second floors.

How has NIU helped you find your community or your sense of belonging here?
NIU has helped me find my sense of belonging through various organizations, extracurricular activities, programs and resources. Through all of these, I have been able to feel at home here.

Why is a college education important to you?
A college education is important to me because it is a steppingstone to my future career. I need to get a bachelor's degree to be a teacher, so this is just part of the goal I have in mind.

What advice would you give to a student who is researching colleges right now?
I would tell students researching colleges to look into the major you want to study, because you might like one school's program over another. In addition, take campus tours to help you see if you can picture yourself there for four years.

How do you manage your responsibilities like school, work, family and everything else while still making the most of your time at NIU?
I manage my responsibilities using two calendars, a whiteboard on my door with homework, tests and other things related to school, and another calendar with activities and events. I try to get my schoolwork done as early as I can.

What made you choose NIU over other colleges you were considering?
I chose NIU over the other colleges I was considering because I liked how small the classes were and how you could really build relationships with your professors. I think that will help me succeed academically.

What was the most important thing NIU did to help you make a successful transition into college life?
The most important thing NIU did to help me transition into college life was Week of Welcome my freshman year. It really showed me that I was going to become a much more independent person.

How has living on campus (or commuting) shaped your experience as a Huskie? What support or resources have made that work well for you?

Living on campus has been great for me. I have made friends who are also on campus, and we can hang out any time. The resources that made it work well for me were all the extracurricular activities and organizations available.

What Honors Program opportunities have helped you move closer to your academic or career goals?
The honors classes push me academically, as I know expectations are higher in those classes.

What scholarships or financial support have you received at NIU?
I received the NIU Presidential Scholarship.

Did the availability of scholarships or financial aid factor into your decision to choose NIU? If so, how?
Yes, it definitely did, as it is a merit scholarship that is a full ride. That really narrowed down my college options a lot.

How has that financial support shaped your ability to pursue your education and make the most of your time here?
The financial support I have received has allowed me to fully focus on my studies and not worry about paying for my education. It's really been a great opportunity that has removed a lot of stress.