Building Your Future with Lee Honors College: Diana Hernández Payano Profile
When Diana Hernández Payano started at Western Michigan University as an international student from the Dominican Republic, she knew about Lee Honors College, but hadn’t initially considered applying. Thankfully, an honors college student and friend, who is now her boyfriend, convinced her that she would be an excellent candidate and Diana joined in her sophomore year.
In Diana’s words, “Coming from the DR as an international student, you sometimes might think that you don’t have the same opportunities as the other students that were born in the United States, but you actually do. Being part of the Lee Honors College helped me to understand that even though I’m an international student, I can do anything I want.”
Diana graduated from Lee Honors College in April 2020 and achieved much in her time as a student. Diana’s first honors college course was with Anthony Helms, Interim Assistant Dean and Director of Academic Advising, and he quickly became a valued mentor and “right hand.” During her undergraduate career, Diana served as a Lee Honors College Peer Student Success Team mentor, performed volunteer work in Peru and traveled to Hawaii as part of the LHC Study in the States program.
A double major in Anthropology and Sociology, Diana met another mentor, Dr. Ann Miles, cultural anthropologist and WMU sociology professor, while enrolled in one of her classes. Dr. Miles served as Diana’s honors thesis mentor. Diana’s honors thesis, “The Intersection of Culture and Medicine: Perspectives of Dominican Health Care Providers Towards Pregnant Haitian Women,” was a defining moment in her academic career and, thanks to the generosity of donors, she was awarded the Carl and Winifred Lee Endowed Research Travel Scholarship which enabled her to travel to the Dominican Republic for her thesis research.
Diana’s honors thesis was also an important step in achieving her next academic goal—to pursue her Master of Science in Public Health. Diana notes that graduate programs want to see that students have demonstrated research experience and adds that, “Because of my honors thesis, I was accepted into a master’s degree program. My Lee Honors College honors thesis was the main thing that allowed me to reach all the achievements that I have.” Accepted into prestigious programs at both the University of Massachusetts Amherst and the University of Miami, along with teaching and research assistantships at University of Massachusetts Amherst, Diana has an exciting decision to make for the fall and a bright future ahead!
When asked if she had advice for how current and future students could make the most of their Lee Honors College experience, Diana was quick to encourage students to “Take advantage of everything—every single thing. The Lee Honors College is not hard, to be honest. It is the easiest thing that a person can have when they are looking forward—when they are trying to build their future. While you’re an undergrad, it’s the perfect time to do everything you can so that you can figure out your future. All those little steps that you take, the Lee Honors College will take you to what you want to do.”
Diana also advocates for the importance of building your academic support system by meeting with your professors and advisors. “Always create great connections with professors and advisors because their guidance and suggestions are vital for our academic success and professional development. Speaking for my experience, for example, Anthony Helms and Dr. Ann Miles, both my professors and academic and honor thesis advisor and chair, have been there for me to support me in the most important professional and academic steps I have taken like completing my honors thesis and applying to my Masters of Science in Public Health.”
Diana speaks highly of the Lee Honors College staff and the support she received as a student and beyond. “They were always there for you. Even when [things were hard and] you wanted to go back home, they were there.” In the acknowledgements of Diana’s honors thesis, she shares these words, “Being part of the Lee Honors College has been my home away from home and the best decision I have ever taken as a student during my time at WMU.” We look forward to hearing what Diana achieves next and she will always have a home at WMU and with the Lee Honors College.