Union County Review

Berzayda and Minerva Sandoval have a unique reason to celebrate at Kean University’s Commencement. Not only are they both graduates, but they are also mother and daughter.

On May 16, Berzayda and Minerva will each receive a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology during the Kean Undergraduate Commencement. Both transferred to Kean after completing their associate degrees at Union College. Minerva enrolled in Fall 2021 and earned her degree in January, while her mother began her studies at Kean in Fall 2022 and will graduate this month.

Both consider themselves first-generation students, being the first in their family to graduate from college.

“I’m originally from Nicaragua,” Berzayda said. “I saw the degree as a way of trying to build a better life for ourselves. Because she's doing it in tandem as well, we can build something together and help each other out. I feel like Kean has provided that social mobility for us.”

While pursuing their degrees, the two lived together, attended classes on campus together, and even took one class simultaneously. Berzayda highlighted the advantages of having consistent support throughout her education.

“We talk to each other, bounce ideas off of each other about schoolwork,” Berzayda said. “But she also helps me get my ideas out better, so I try to do the same for her. She’s like my own personal Grammarly.”

Minerva shared similar feelings.

“It was like going to school with an older sister,” Minerva said. “We helped each other with our classes and told each other which professors were good and which classes were interesting. I had a friend, emotional support, and mother all in one.”

Berzayda recalled participating in Project Adelante at Kean as a child growing up in Elizabeth—a summer program designed to encourage local Latino children and teens to pursue higher education.

“It comes full circle,” Berzayda said. “I didn't know that I was going to be coming back. It’s like oh, wow, now I’m going to graduate from this place that enriched my life as a kid.”

The pair expressed mixed emotions about walking together at Commencement but look forward to celebrating with family and friends.

“My grandma was really proud of us,” Minerva said. “Because every time we mentioned school she's like, ‘Oh I'm so glad you guys are getting an education. I could never do that when I was young.’”

Following graduation, both plan to enter the workforce together—Berzayda aims to help her local community while Minerva has accepted a position as a career counselor for Union County’s One-Stop Career Center and plans future studies for her Master’s degree.

“It was a delightful experience to see my daughter shine in an academic setting,” Berzayda said. “It gave me a sense of pride and admiration for her exceptional qualities."

In the fall, Berzayda’s younger daughter Jade Nelson will continue the family tradition by attending Kean University.

Reflecting on their journey through college together:

“We started at different times but we helped each other,” Minerva said.” We did this together.”