Crystal C. Rodriguez, one of the McNair students from Buffalo State College, has been featured in an article in Latina Style, a national magazine. Crystal credits the power of determination in her achievements.

Growing up in an urban Bronx neighborhood in New York City within a multi-ethnic household enriched with Latin culture and Irish traditions, her parents always reinforced the idea of determination. Although she often doubted how far her abilities would take her, she quickly learned to never set a limit to her success.

Senior year of high school was a turning point in her life—she almost joined the military because of a fear of getting rejected from college and an apprehension about taking standardized exams. Instead of continuing with education, she was on a path to finding a suitable job, including the military. However, friends and a mentor convinced her to apply to a few State Universities of New York (SUNY) colleges. Crystal was accepted to Buffalo State College, which is the largest college in the SUNY system. So, she decided to enroll and embark on a new set of challenges and opportunities. Not knowing what to expect, this decision made a significant impact on her future because it shaped the course of her professional career.

After participating in a number of activities during the first two years at Buffalo State and working at the college to support herself, Crystal was introduced to the Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program, which is where her journey to appreciate academia began. “This program opened my eyes to advanced research and higher education. I conducted a full-scale research project looking at Latinos attitudes towards law enforcement”, says Crystal.

The Next Step: Boxing

So Crystal started to look into a number of gyms like Bally’s but the boxing classes were aerobic and not actual boxing. She wanted a REAL boxing gym. After searching the Internet and contacting a number of gyms she found that none of them seemed affordable or interesting until she came upon Bronxchester Boxing Club on Castle Hill in the Bronx.

Although some boxers at the gym were nice they really didn’t think much of her because she was a girl. Girls come and go so often it was hard to get to know them. Crystal  made it a point to stay for the love of the sport, to connect with these boxers, be healthy and most importantly remember her dad. From the beginning of her career in boxing, Crystal was the first to arrive at the gym and last to leave, just like the professional boxers. It’s an addicting sport.

After about a year of training, her coach asked if she wanted to spar (practice fighting). But since there were no girls she would have to spar with the guys. Since then, Crystal continues to train and spar with the guys since most of the girls back out or cancel. Recently, she began to spar with a girl ranked #1 in boxing who has been helping Crystal to gain experience in the ring, training for the golden gloves 2008. Her first official fight was scheduled for February 28th, 2008, but due to a new job working as a research assistant on a project in Long Island it didn’t happen. “It was a very difficult decision to have to withdraw from the gloves, but it was a great professional decision. I was afraid to tell my gym because we have all been working so hard. But, when I told my coaches and trainers they were proud of my decision. They only want what is best for me which shows how much they care.” says Crystal of her decision to withdraw from the competition.

The Future…

Crystal indicates she did not know much about graduate school during her undergraduate years, however, decided to venture off and apply to a doctoral program. She says, “In the back of my mind I knew I was reaching beyond my own limits, but with the assistance of the McNair director, college faculty, family and friends, I was sure that I was making the right decision.”

Now Crystal is currently a third-year doctoral student at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, teaching and working on a number of research projects focusing on different aspects of the criminal justice system. Boxing helps to keep her balanced. Crystal says of the doctoral experience, “Sometimes I feel like I am disconnected from my community since I spend endless hours at school, but going to the boxing club, the boxing fights and hanging out with my boxing friends keeps me grounded and reminds me of my culture and where I came from. Boxing allows me to keep my sanity.”

The focus of her dissertation is on juveniles in the inner city, specifically gang members who have been through the criminal justice system. Crystal looks forward to working for an alternative to the incarceration program and then returning to a campus setting to can share her knowledge and experiences with future students as an educator.

In reflection, Crystal shares, “As I sit and look back on my accomplishments, I am amazed because I have exceeded far beyond my own expectations. I went from having no confidence in my ability to succeed in school to becoming a first generation college graduate pursuing a doctoral degree. Not only did I succeed academically, but also reconnected with my Puerto Rican roots. I have discovered that the power of determination is endless!”

Adapted from Latina Style magazine.