WKU News

Belonging. A simple word with a simple meaning, to feel comfortable in a space. Valery D. Bonifacio-Garcia, a graduating senior from the Dominican Republic, decided to attend WKU because of belonging. 

“I chose WKU because of the strong sense of belonging I felt when I first visited,” Bonifacio-Garcia said. “As a first-generation college student and an immigrant, finding a welcoming and supportive community was essential for me.”

Bonifacio-Garcia moved to the United States the summer before her senior year in high school, attended the GEO International High School in Bowling Green, and then found WKU the ideal university to help shape her future. This shaping consisted of growing through organizations in which she later accepted leadership roles, volunteering as a mentor and now gaining valuable experience interning for her career after graduation. She will walk into her desired occupation after high school, all because her mom decided that coming to the United States was best for her daughter’s future.

“She wanted me to get a better education, a much aware future and more opportunities for a career,” Bonifacio-Garcia shared about the conversation with her mom when it was decided she would move to the United States for her senior year in high school. “She wanted more for me. She said, ‘I don’t want you to struggle. I don’t want you to study something and then work somewhere else. I want you to follow your dreams.’”

“I also wanted that for myself,” Bonifacio-Garcia said to her mom.

Bonifacio-Garcia thought her dreams would lead down a career path to physical therapy, but social work proved to be a better fit for how she wanted to make a difference.

“My passion lies in advocating for individuals who face barriers due to language, socioeconomic status or lack of access to resources,” Bonifacio-Garcia said. She expressed these interests to a career coach who reviewed what social workers did and encouraged her to learn more about the Social Work program.

Bonifacio-Garcia told the story of how in her first class, a textbook exercise asked her to consider how she could help a family. She explored different approaches through the assignment, and in the process, she saw how she could benefit families with a career in social work. This confirmed her career path forward.

“I chose to pursue a double major in Social Work and Spanish because I want to be a voice for those who need more help, particularly immigrant and marginalized communities,” she said. “I want to connect with the community, provide meaningful support and help bridge the gap between those in need and the services available to them.”

Now, in her senior year, Bonifacio-Garcia interns with the Department of Community-Based Services in Simpson Country. In the fall, she spent time learning and observing. This spring, she visits families along with a supervisor. She reviews and prepares notes for the cases. She engages in different activities to gain experience for a position as a social worker after college.

The sense of belonging that Bonifacio-Garcia mentioned in her decision to attend WKU came from the campus environment, support services and the opportunity to grow as a leader and build community in different organizations.

Bonifacio-Garcia described her visit to campus, noting students lying in hammocks, studying outside and hanging out indoors. “Everyone looks so happy,” she said, explaining that she saw the opposite while visiting other campuses. “I said WKU is the place I want to be because I want to connect with everybody. I want to make friends; I want to gain new experiences.”

As a first-generation college student, Bonifacio-Garcia quickly connected with Student Support Services (SSS) and the Intercultural Student Engagement Center (ISEC). She joined the Hilltopper Organization of Latin American Students (HOLAS) and started volunteering with Dueña de mi futuro. She later became a College of Health and Human Services (CHHS) Ambassador and member of Alpha Kappa Psi Business Fraternity.

“As a first-generation college student, navigating higher education has not always been easy, but SSS has been a crucial resource in my journey. SSS has provided me with academic support, financial literacy resources and career guidance, all of which have helped me stay on track and succeed at WKU,” Bonifacio-Garcia said.

The Intercultural Student Engagement Center became her first place for involvement at WKU, providing mentorship and leadership development, according to Bonifacio-Garcia. “Through ISEC, I have been able to connect with other student organizations, build meaningful relationships and develop both personally and professionally. It has also pushed me to step out of my comfort zone, take on leadership roles, and actively engage in opportunities that have shaped my growth as a student and a leader.”

She served with HOLAS gradually elevating in her leadership positions, serving as the secretary, vice president and now president. “In each role, I have worked to strengthen the Latinx community on campus by organizing cultural events, advocating for our voices to be heard and ensuring that Latinx students feel seen, valued and supported,” Bonifacio-Garcia expressed, adding that HOLAS provided more than leadership experiences, it has given her a second family.

“I have formed friendships that I know will last a lifetime, and it has been a place where I can both share my Dominican traditions and learn about the diverse cultures of other Latinx students.”

Joining Alpha Kappa Psi, a professional business fraternity, in fall 2024, Bonifacio-Garcia began building networking skills and confidence to interact more in professional settings. “Additionally, AKPsi has reinforced my commitment to community service, allowing me to give back through various initiatives while also strengthening my teamwork and organizational skills.”

In her role as a CHHS ambassador, Bonifacio-Garcia volunteers connecting with prospective students and representing her college, and on Saturdays, she volunteers with junior high and school students interested in college through a program called Dueña de mi Futuro, translating to Owner of My Future, where she serves as a mentora [mentor].

“As an ambassador, I have been able to engage with prospective students, answer their questions about academic programs and campus life and help them see why WKU is the best choice for their education. I take pride in being a resource for students who, like me, may be navigating college for the first time.”

Bonifacio-Garcia goes on to explain that as a mentora, “I work alongside other mentors to facilitate discussions on important topics related to college life, such as academic success, financial aid, career pathways and personal growth.” Bonifacio-Garcia has volunteered with the program for four years and now leads several former mentees who came to WKU and joined HOLAS.

Bonifacio-Garcia’s Hilltopper Journey tops off with time spent studying abroad in Spain. “This experience broadened my cultural awareness, strengthened my Spanish proficiency and deepened my understanding of how different social systems operate,” she said. Bonifacio-Garcia traveled to Segovia, Spain during the summer of 2022.

“It taught me the importance of being adaptable, observant and open to new experiences, even when stepping outside of my comfort zone felt intimidating. Even though I was already fluent in Spanish, immersing myself in a country where daily life, customs and social norms were different from what I was used to challenged me to navigate unfamiliar situations with an open mind.”

The immersion into a new country describes Bonifacio-Garcia’s experiences since her senior year in high school. The sense of belonging she felt at WKU created a pathway for her to embrace her new country and home and desire to help other families along the way.

“My goal is to be an advocate, a bridge between individuals and social services, and someone who empowers clients to navigate challenges effectively,” Bonifacio-Garcia said. “Life can be challenging, but I believe that with the right support, individuals and families can overcome even the toughest circumstances.”

To learn more about the WKU Social Work program, visit https://www.wku.edu/socialwork/.