Urban Scholar Eric Rafael Gonzalez

Eric Rafael Gonzalez believes that education and access are the driving forces in people's lives. "I hope to improve the way young people, specifically those in urban communities, are educated and then offer those improved forms of education to others," Gonzalez says. "Working in education is, for me, the best way to accomplish this goal." Having spent time as a program director at Directions for Our Youth, Inc. in New York City, Gonzalez is looking forward to taking what he learns at HGSE and applying it to urban schools.

Why did you choose HGSE?
HGSE puts the world at your fingertips - there are awesome amounts of knowledge, energy, passion, and resources here at HGSE. The one-year program provides an intensive introduction to research, and connects you with the people and resources you need to make your vision a reality.

What does it mean to you to be an Urban Scholar?
It's recogniton for doing difficult work in often forgotten communities. I was impressed that HGSE offered such a scholarship; I assumed that institutions of this scale look for more conventional measures of success. I feel honored to have been selected as an Urban Scholar; after this semester, I have met so many impressive people that would have easily earned similar recognition. It also means a significant burden being lifted from my shoulders; not having to worry as much about the financial commitment allowed me to delve into my studies much deeper and concentrate on classes and learning, as opposed to working and trying to decrease the amount of loans necessary for attending HGSE.

What do you plan to do after HGSE?
I hope to use what I am learning in HGSE to improve educational models in urban areas and increase the opportunities for excellent education offered to young people in low socioeconomic, urban communities. I anticipate doing this in either of two ways: By founding a wraparound service, PreK-12 school in either New York City or Chicago, or by becoming a mid-level program manager at an education-based nonprofit organization in either New York City or Chicago.