María Vega on Language as a Launchpad for Connection

(SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — February 6, 2025) It is inspiring to come across a student support figure that is committed to the wellbeing of students the way María Vega is. Having joined Empire State University as a bilingual student success coordinator last April, Vega exudes a passion for helping students. Her focus is on providing support to those who are Spanish-speaking and may find themselves feeling discouraged in primarily monolingual environments. This is why she finds the inauguration of the Spanish BBA this fall so exciting: it will help Spanish-dominant students move through their program of study in an equivalent manner to their English counterparts by eliminating the language barrier.

Vega underscores that being Puerto Rican is central to her identity—she feels innately connected to her land, language, and people. Through classic cultural bites like pasteles, arroz con dulce, and pernil, paired with listening to music in Spanish, and speaking Spanish almost exclusively outside the workplace, she maintains firm ties to her homeland. This is what Vega brings to her work at Empire State University: a strong sense for cultural nuances and connection. This, she shares, provides the framework with which she approaches her work with students, particularly those whose academic performances would improve if advised in their native language.

Having grown up in Puerto Rico, Vega shares that her use of the Spanish language always felt sturdier than moving through life in English. It was through a desire to help her parents navigate the arena of life in English after moving to New York State that she more deeply honed her own English language skills. Translation was the avenue through which she gained confidence in her bilingual skillset, which she now employs for the benefit of the Empire State University community.

Though her work towards expanding the aperture of bilingual inclusion in higher education has led her through obstacles, she feels that it has been a rewarding path worth traveling. Vega says, “I’m very proud that we can use our bilingual abilities to make a difference—each one of those interactions with Spanish-speaking students reminds me of why this skill is so important, not just for the students that I serve, but also for a more inclusive and equitable environment for the university.” With her strong passion for advancing Latinos in education through bringing her culture to the table professionally, Vega is a caring advocate for Spanish speakers’ academic success at Empire State University.  

She recalls one of the most gratifying anecdotes of her work at Empire State University: a Spanish-speaking student who was part of another coordinator’s caseload was reassigned to Vega for ease of communication. The student was on academic probation, struggling to balance her desire to fulfill the requirements of her program of study with her responsibilities at work. Through culturally informed conversation, Vega was able to connect with the student, who in turn, was able to continue working towards her degree. “Language, I think, expands your worldview and perspective in life,” she adds.

Vega has observed that students are better able to connect in their native language, feeling more at ease because of her ability to understand how culture informs their goals, worldview, and communities. She sees bilingualism not only as a tool to erode the tension students may feel in academic settings, but also as an overall professional asset, commenting, “We live in a very globalized world… being able to speak multiple languages allows you to collaborate effectively with different populations.” She shares a notable insight for those seeking to learn another language: “Being able to learn a different language challenges your brain to improve cognitive function and memory.”

With a growing demand for bilingual student support, Vega underscores the significance of the university’s continued investment in bilingual learning so that students, faculty, and staff can continue to manage their workloads effectively. The further embedding of bilingualism into university communications and events is something she is enthusiastic about, as it will signal to Spanish speakers that they have a home within Empire State University. Besides being excited to continue her work with current students, Vega is looking forward to meeting the pioneer class of the Spanish BBA launching this fall.