A Bit About Me

Dereck Gonzalez is a Puerto Rican-born, first-generation college student pursuing a degree in Journalism and Media Studies at Rutgers University, New Brunswick. Dereck built a strong academic and professional foundation focused on advocacy, communication, and community engagement.

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At Ocean County College, Dereck became a campus leader through his role as a Student Enrollment Ambassador, staff writer for Viking News, and co-founder and president of the Community Ambassadors Club. In these positions, he supported Spanish-speaking students and families, acted as a translator, guided students through the college application process, led campus tours, and became a keynote speaker at college preparation events. His leadership led to significant policy changes that benefited newly arrived Latino and ESL students and reflected his commitment to equity and access in higher education.

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In addition to his advocacy work, Dereck has professional experience in education and research. He has worked as an Undergraduate Research Assistant at Monmouth University, where he taught and supported elementary students. He also worked as an ESL Childcare Program Educator at the Ocean County Community Adult School, where he created bilingual lesson plans and mentored students. His writing has showcased community impact and Latino leadership in publications like Latinos Unidos and Viking News.

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Through journalism, leadership, and service, Dereck Gonzalez continues to use his voice to advocate for underserved communities while connecting education, policy, and opportunity.