Share the Dream: My Life, My Focus, My Goal Share the Dream: My Life, My Focus, My Goal: Cruz-Gonzalez, Asiel

Talent Merit Scholarship Recipient

Asiel A. Cruz-Gonzalez/ Mission Statement/ 10/5/25 I am Asiel Alejandro Cruz-Gonzalez. I was born in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, and grew up in Aguadilla for most of my life. When I was around seven, I briefly moved to Florida and then Massachusetts, where I lived in a rural area. Around two years ago, I moved to Fall River. My childhood in Puerto Rico is very integral to me as a person. I remember the beauty of the island and how it cultivated most of my values, including kindness, community, and empathy. I try my best to help others when I can I also grew up in a household where you are expected to be hardworking and not to give any complaints. I have three sisters, two older and one younger sister, and two brothers, one an older brother and the other is my twin brother. My mother always stressed the importance of education and going to college. I chose the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth because it was an affordable, high-quality institution. I like their engineering department and cybersecurity program. I find their college now program as one of the reasons I chose UMass Dartmouth because it gives students an opportunity to better themselves with guidance and support. I am interested in pursuing a degree in cybersecurity; however, I’d also like to diversify my skills in the software industry, and I believe the computer science degree with a cybersecurity concentration sets me up to do both. I intend to become a high-achieving student, who studies and manages his time effectively. A student who also contributes to volunteering while also attempting to succeed in the software industry. Imidinety Nonetheless, serving others through the skills I’ll learn as a person and in cybersecurity is something I intend to achieve after my time in university. I also believe that the knowledge I gain from studying and reading in the library will prepare me to handle the challenges of the world. As I become the person I desire to be, I’ll be able to serve my community and others and pass on the privilege of going to university, and hopefully, I’ll break generational curses and chains and make a better future for my family and friends. I believe that education isn’t just about acquiring knowledge but rather the development of the person, one who is free to do good, and critically think and discern what is right and kind for them and others, so this vision of education, one of hope and change for the better. I plan to give back to the community by advocating for better access to education and better public transport for those who need it. I also want to combat the anti-intellectualism in the Latino community, particularly how it affects men and how it encourages machismo. I’d like for there to be a healthier dynamic in our communities so that there is less violence. As someone who values kindness and ambition, I would like to contribute to society through the education I receive here at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.