Meet Delvis Jiménez: Our School Translator

Any incoming freshmen at Vanguard University may be confused about how to navigate through the process of enrolling. Some students are from Spanish-speaking families, so it could be difficult to communicate with parents and students about what they may need to prepare for their new journey. Multiple resources are provided, but there are still some that are unknown such as a translator for first-year Vanguard Students.

Photo of Delvis Jiménez

Delvis Jiménez is a Psychology Major at Vanguard University, who has tackled some of the language barriers with our Spanish-speaking families which have greatly impacted our school environment. One of the most notable aspects that Delvis takes care of, is taking charge of translating speeches that are given to the students. She also provides services to many students and their families, which is especially seen through Welcome Week, Family Day, and Cultural Graduation. At the beginning of the semester, there are lots of questions that families have, so being able to have an individual that can proved assistance is essentially very important.

When asking Delvis what her favorite part of being a translator is she said, “Seeing the relieved faces of Spanish-speaking parents or family members when they realize that I speak the same language. I feel an incredible amount of pride in my culture and am honored to represent it in this manner around campus. Not to mention how cool it is to see how English and Spanish interplay with each other in different contexts.” which expresses her clear determination to help students.

As a Hispanic Serving Institution, everyone’s story matters, so we strive for an environment with inclusion. Many aspects are taken into account when deciding how to create an environment where all individuals feel included on campus. The school takes into consideration the various needs one would have to obtain to succeed throughout the school year.

By engaging with new Spanish-speaking students and families through emails, phone calls, webinars, website updates, and much more, Delvis takes on a big role in creating a welcoming environment. One of the main advantages of having a Spanish-speaking translator is that the students will not be by themselves, instead, they will have someone that will guide them through the process. Knowing that there is access to this type of service would allow students to have confidence in moving through the school semester.

Photo by Tim Mossholder, Unsplash.

As for advice that she wants to give students she says, “For the students who wish to include their families more but feel restrained to do so because of the language barrier, please do not hesitate to reach out to me or someone else on the FYE team for more resources. All families have a place here at Vanguard, regardless of their background. The Office of Family Relations/Relaciones Familiares is here to help. I hope that they feel included, welcomed, and wanted.”

If you never knew about this service that is available to everyone, now you know a bit more about it. The new journey that you are about to take will be amazing.