---
title: ‘Your Culture Should Be a Source of Inspiration’
date: 2022-10-04T05:30:00-04:00
author: University of Maryland
canonical_url: "https://today.umd.edu/your-culture-should-be-a-source-of-inspiration"
section: Articles
---
# ‘Your Culture Should Be a Source of Inspiration’

*October 4, 2022* — by [Karen Shih ’09](/author/karen-shih)


> Hispanic Heritage Foundation President Shares Unlikely Journey, Urges Students to Speak Up

*Tijerino Nat Youth Awards NFL Super Bowl Week 1920x1080 — As president and CEO of the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, Jose Antonio Tijerino '88 has spearheaded partnerships with organizations as varied as the NFL and Nordstrom, increasing opportunities and visibility for Latinos across the country.*

To earn his degree from the University of Maryland, Jose Antonio Tijerino ’88 rolled up his sleeve at a blood center multiple times a week to get cash, pizza and juice; called up strangers as a telemarketer; and often wore a unique scent—fried shrimp—from waiting tables.

As an undocumented student, he was unable to access the same financial resources as most of his peers, but says the years-long struggle to finally graduate at 27 was worth it. The journalism school taught him the writing skills that launched him into a successful public relations career and his longtime role as president and CEO of the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, and he made lifelong friends who have supported him every step of the way.

“I talked to one of them this morning—he used to sleep on my couch sometimes—and now we’re going to be at the Kennedy Center together for an event,” Tijerino said.

That event was Friday’s [Hispanic Heritage Awards](https://hispanicheritage.org/programs/leadership/hispanic-heritage-awards/), which each year honors people as varied as Daddy Yankee and Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. He serves as executive producer of the event for the foundation.


*Minecraftt Latin Explorers*


*protestor with sign that reads, "I'm-migrant" — Tijerino, an immigrant from Nicaragua, is proud of the work the foundation does to support migrants. Photo courtesy of the Hispanic Heritage Foundation.*



**Sidebar note:**

This is one of a series of Maryland Today features during National Hispanic Heritage Month celebrating Terp faculty, staff, students and alums.





**Topics:** [People](https://today.umd.edu/tags/people)


**Tags:** [Alumni](https://today.umd.edu/topic/alumni)


**Units:** [Philip Merrill College of Journalism](https://today.umd.edu/topic/philip-merrill-college-journalism)