Rutgers Student Body President Surprises Family With Commencement Speech
Christopher Godoy kept his role in the Rutgers 260th Anniversary Commencement a secret until he took the stage Sunday
Christopher Godoy’s journey at Rutgers started long before he took the stage at SHI Stadium or took his first undergraduate class.
Godoy came to the university during his sophomore year of high school through the Upward Bound program, which helps first-generation students prepare for college through SAT test preparation, cultural activities, college tours, and college planning.
“Once I found out about it, I took advantage of every opportunity the program gave me," Godoy said. “By the time I was a senior, I knew Rutgers was my top choice.”
His experience through the program set Godoy up to be successful in college. He graduated on Sunday after serving as president of the Rutgers University Student Assembly. And he gave his family the ultimate “thank you” for their support when he surprised them as the student speaker during the university’s 260th anniversary commencement.
“I cannot believe that he was able to pull something like this off," said Ericsia Ruiz, Godoy’s mother. “He has already made me so proud, so to have this surprise and be able to be here celebrating with him today, I couldn’t be prouder. Today has made me so emotional.”
A political science and economics double major in the School of Arts and Sciences and son of a single mother from El Salvador, Godoy met the challenges of being first-generation with a sense of pride.
“Being the oldest comes with a lot of responsibilities, especially with a mother who does not know English as well to the extent that I do. So for me, stepping in to help my family has been both an honor, but also a responsibility that I've kind of taken on from a very young age,” Godoy said.
When he started at Rutgers after graduating with his class of 76 students from a small high school in Plainfield, he found the shift to be challenging. But Godoy quickly found his home as an advocate and student leader, a role that has allowed him to flourish.
“There are so many programs that have helped me along the way at Rutgers. I am a Pell Grant recipient, I am an EOF Scholar, I participated in Scarlet Service and was able to intern for Congressman Frank Pallone and learn these skills that I have now to continue advocating for better resources for our student body,” Godoy states.
Godoy served as council president at his high school and headed for the RUSA booth at the involvement fair his first few days on campus. Then-president Ally Smith talked him into joining.
Godoy became the Livingston campus representative by the end of his first year and was elected to the University Senate his sophomore and junior years. He joined the executive committee on the Senate to represent the New Brunswick campus serving as legislative affairs chair, and was elected RUSA president in his senior year.
His role gave him the opportunity to travel to the state and nation’s capital to advocate for the type of programs that provided him crucial support.
“Being able to go to Trenton and Washington, D.C. and stand side-by-side with the presidents of Newark and Camden for the first time and say collectively how these programs impact our education was so impactful and meaningful,’’ Godoy says. “They are sometimes the difference between someone being able to complete their dream or not. And we should do as much as possible to make sure all students are able to achieve their goals,” he continues.
As he reflects on his time as an undergraduate, Godoy said he is grateful for his journey, which included a decision to switch his career goals and study political science after initially considering a focus on STEM.
“As a citizen, it is so important to understand the systems around you. And that’s what sparked the journey for me. Taking political science classes really opened my eyes and took my life in a completely different direction,” Godoy states
Planning to pursue a master’s in public policy from the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, Godoy knows no matter where his academic journey takes him, the mission will always remain the same.
“It doesn't matter what field you go into. It can be in STEM, journalism, law, or any other thing. But if you're able to become an informed citizen and advocate for the communities that have invested in you, I think at least for me, my life’s mission is complete.”
