Hispanic Heritage Month Spotlight: Dr. Rivera Draws on Boricua Heritage to Champion Student Success
The first-generation college graduate draws on his bilingual background and family experiences to help Coppin students reach graduation.
BALTIMORE — For Dr. Rivera, education changed his life. Now, he is helping Coppin State University students discover what it can make possible in their own lives.
As Coppin celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month, the Office of Communications is highlighting faculty, staff, and students whose cultures, experiences and contributions strengthen Eagle Nation.
A New Jersey native, Dr. Rivera is a first-generation college graduate and the first person in his family to earn a doctoral degree. He serves as coordinator and assistant professor of interdisciplinary studies in the Department of Applied Social and Political Sciences within Coppin’s College of Behavioral and Social Sciences. He is also the faculty advisor for the student club, Latinx Unidos.
“I am deeply committed to working with a multicultural, multigenerational student body that values education as a resource to transform lives,” he said.
Dr. Rivera proudly identifies as Puerto Rican, or Boricua, and treasures the time he has spent in Puerto Rico with family.
“I am Puerto Rican, or Boricua, to my core,” Dr. Rivera said. “I feel fortunate that my family’s ethnic roots connect me to the beauty and majesty of la Isla del Encanto.”
Raised as a heritage Spanish speaker, he began strengthening his bilingualism through summer trips to Puerto Rico at age 13 and continued through formal study. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Spanish language, literature and cultural studies.
His father’s experience as a native Spanish speaker also shaped his approach to teaching.
“Growing up with a father who was a native Spanish speaker who spoke English with an accent was a gift for my future role as an educator,” Dr. Rivera said. “My ear was trained to understand language in context and to focus on meaning.”
Watching his father face literacy challenges in English and judgment from others taught Dr. Rivera to listen for meaning and context. It also deepened his compassion for students navigating academic obstacles.
At Coppin, he focuses on developing critical thinking and professional skills while helping interdisciplinary studies students persist, complete their degree requirements and graduate.
“I hope to continue supporting student retention and graduation through interdisciplinary studies,” Dr. Rivera said. “Successfully retaining and graduating students has a positive impact on my department and the broader Coppin community.”
Hispanic Heritage Month, he said, provides an opportunity to recognize the influence of Hispanic and Latino communities throughout American life.
“It is a time to celebrate the historic and ongoing contributions the Latine community makes locally, regionally and nationally in music and the arts, science and education, government and policy, and food culture,” he said.
His message to Coppin students is grounded in his own journey.
“Arrive ready to learn and trust in the transformative potential of education,” Dr. Rivera said. “It changed my life and provided me with so many opportunities that enriched the quality of my professional and personal experiences.”
He also encourages students to consider learning Spanish, noting that bilingualism can broaden career opportunities and deepen connections with people and communities.
