Jorge Mendoza, a 39-year-old father of two, recently graduated from Harvard University with a Bachelor’s in Liberal Arts in Extension Studies, concentrating on business administration and management.
What began as a joke with his now-wife, “Maybe one day I’ll go to school at Harvard,” became a reality years later.
Born in Colombia and raised in New York City, Mendoza joined Harvard as a custodial supervisor in 2018, a position that eventually led him to enroll at Harvard Extension School to continue his college education.
A Long Road to Graduation
Mendoza’s six-year journey to earning his degree was no easy feat. As a full-time employee and part-time student, he juggled work, family responsibilities, and coursework.
Thanks to Harvard’s Tuition Assistance Program, Mendoza was able to chip away at his degree, taking two courses per semester and several during the summer.
Some of the most memorable classes for Mendoza were public speaking courses taught by Jill Slye, where he honed his communication skills and built confidence.
Slye, who taught Mendoza in two public speaking courses, described him as a student who demonstrated unwavering dedication.
“Jorge was one of those students who just came in and I saw determination to leave no stone unturned,” she said. Mendoza’s commitment to his studies and his determination to finish his degree never wavered.
A Unique Perspective on Campus
Working at Harvard and taking courses at the same time gave Mendoza a unique perspective. In one spring semester, he took an architecture class that focused on the many buildings on campus, many of which he was familiar with from his daily work.
While other students could only view pictures or take virtual tours, Mendoza had the advantage of experiencing the buildings firsthand.
“To be able to be on campus, walk through or by the buildings, and even manage some of them gives you a unique perspective,” he shared.
The Excitement of Commencement
Although Mendoza initially considered skipping the Commencement ceremony because it felt like just another day at work, the support of his family changed his mind.
His mother, sisters, and wife encouraged him to embrace the special occasion. “Then I really started getting excited about it, and I said, ‘You know what? This is different.
This is my Commencement. This is what I’ve worked so hard for,’” Mendoza explained. The ceremony became a symbol of his hard work and dedication, not only to himself but also as a role model for his children.
He wants them to be able to say, “My dad finished while we were here. He did it with kids and a family.”
Looking Ahead: Mendoza’s Next Goal
While graduation was a major achievement, Mendoza isn’t stopping there. He has his sights set on a master’s in liberal arts in sustainability from the Extension School. “I hope to continue to grow academically, because I love to learn,” he said.
Sustainability is an area of growing importance in both the university and the world, and Mendoza is eager to focus on this field to develop further in his career and make a lasting impact.
Jorge Mendoza’s story is one of resilience and perseverance. Starting his Harvard journey as a custodial supervisor, Mendoza’s determination led him to graduate with a degree in business administration and management.
Along the way, he balanced work, family, and academics, proving that no goal is too big when you have the right mindset. Now, Mendoza is looking forward to continuing his academic journey in sustainability, with plans to make an even bigger impact in the future.
