Sandra (Simeon) Guardado '02 - Hispanic Latinx Heritage Month Q&A

October 3, 2022

What was your grad year, major, and what were you some extracurriculars you were involved in?

I graduated in 2002, Liberal Arts & Spanish Major - I was involved in CILSA, Campus Ministry, Latinos Unidos, Hemanas, Student Leadership, I was RA my last two years, a High Potential student, and a three time High Potential Orientation Peer Advisor.

What is your heritage? How do you feel about it?

I consider myself a Latina and Mexican-American descent. I am proud of my culture and ancestors. I proudly call myself a Mexican-American female because it represents the sacrifice that my parents made to give my sisters and I a better life. Being a Mexican-American recognizes that I am bicultural and biliterate. Both sets of values and customs made me who I am today and what I represent to others.

What does Hispanic Heritage month mean to you?

An opportunity to pause and recognize and/or learn about the incredible contributions that Latino heroes, trailblazers and dedicated leaders have in changed and impacted our world/society.

How does your Hispanic heritage play a role in your professional or personal life?

The blessing of being a Latina who is also biliterate affords me the opportunity to use my position(s) to help advocate for others and ensure that their needs are being addressed. It is my responsibility to advocate for those who look like me, sound like me and have the same dreams and passions as me to remove the barriers to achieving one's highest potential and goals.

Tell me about your current role and your journey there?

I currently serve the community of Pittsburg as the Coordinator of Programs for English Learners and Dual Language Instruction. In this role I advocate for the needs of our multilingual learners to ensure that their language needs are being met. Prior to this role, I served as an Assistant Principal at Liberty High School. I spent 8 years as a Spanish high school teacher both to native speakers of Spanish and non-native speakers.

What's one thing you want others to know or think about regarding the Hispanic community?

The Latino community is a hardworking community that strives to provide the best opportunity for the next generation. Latinos value hard work and education; they understand that a post-secondary education opens the doors to the future. When a son/daughter succeeds it is reflected as the success of the family for all that they sacrificed, since often it is leaving their home countries and working low-paying jobs to guarantee that their children have access to the educational system in the US and have the opportunity to make something of themselves. Therefore the success of one child is acknowledged as the success of the family and an serves as a validation for future generational success.

How can others be an ally?

Others can help by reinforcing the positive aspects of Latino culture and seek out it's enduring history of leaders and role models.

What's one of your favorite memories from Saint Mary's?

My favorite memories from SMC are being part of the High Potential Program. Everything about the HP Program was constructed to afford us with the opportunity to be challenged in ways our previous education did not. It also allowed us to get in-touch with our internal set of values and identity.

What did you find in yourself and how has that influenced you since then?

HP helped me realize how much I value commitment to service and the rewarding nature of building meaningful relationships from it. I also connect and appreciate others who value and are not afraid of hard work as the best things in life require a commitment to achieve. Dr. Dennis, the then director of HP, helped us find our voice in terms of being able to advocate for ourselves and the greater good.

How this has influenced me is by not shying away from an opportunity simply because it would be difficult. And it has influenced me to teach the many students I encounter, to also find their voice so they can also benefit from this wisdom. Lastly, it has also helped me use my position to amplify those voices who would otherwise not be heard.

Any advice for current Gaels?

While your receiving a world-renowned education which exposes you to different perspectives and subjects, don't forget to use the precious time on campus to learn about yourself and what you stand for. Oh, and travel! Nothing teaches you more about you, than being in another country and culture.

Anything else I didn't ask that you want to mention?

I'm extremely grateful for the experiences that I had at SMC. It helped mold who I became by helping me identify and reinforce my core values. The motto of "Enter to Learn and Leave to Serve" is what I strive for every day. My goal is to use my gifts, talents, and education to help improve the conditions/situation/programming of those I serve.

Additional Hispanic Latinx Heritage month Q&As: