Ernesto Mejia
Speaker & Parental Engagement Expert
“I am my parent’s American dream.”
Biography
Ernesto Mejia, the proud son of Mexican immigrants, is a true example of the American dream. Diagnosed with the rare disease of Guillain-Barré Syndrome at the age of 16 that left him temporarily paralyzed, he was not supposed to be a successful student, much less a College Dean of Students. Through his hardships, Ernesto learned to never give up on life, he now speaks to students, parents and teachers about overcoming obstacles and never giving up on the American dream: education.
Topics
- Hispanic/Latino
- Diversity
- Servant Leadership
- Disability Awareness
- Education
- Parenting Skills
- College Readiness
- Career Readiness
- Overcoming Obstacles
- Networking
- Migrant/ELL
- Multilingual
Keynotes
- My American Dream! – We all have our own version of our American Dream, but it helps when we know who else sacrificed to make our very own Dream come true for us. This keynote address focuses on overcoming adversity, living in two cultures, two languages, and two countries and yet struggling to fit in either of them.
- How a disability can improve your abilities. – Living with a disability can be challenging both mentally and physically, however if we focus less on the negatives and more on the positives it can be highly empowering. Having suffered through a bout with Guillain Barre Syndrome Ernesto learned the importance of support, family, strength and belief in one self.
- The right vs the wrong way of obtaining a college degree. Students sometimes struggle with college and do so because of the fear of asking for support. Learn how to differentiate between the lazy path and the one the produces the diploma we all seek to obtain.
- The importance of being a full time parent. The most difficult job in the world that comes with the least amount of preparation is that of parenting. This keynote focuses on the importance of being a full time parent in order to enable our children to become the best version of themselves possible.
Workshops
- Why do YOU want an education? – At times students are not fully aware of the reasons they are seeking an education. This workshop allows students to discover those reasons while tapping into their intrinsic motivation at the same time.
- The parent challenge (also available in Spanish). The most difficult job in the World that comes with the least amount of training is that of a parent. This workshops teaches parents some healthy habits to create a happier, and more productive household.
- Preparing yourself for the workforce needs and demands. If students had a better understanding of the skills the workforce is seeking at a younger age they would have more time to prepare to excel. This workshop will teach students the basic skills needed to stand apart from the rest of the workers.
- The disability that opened my eyes as it paralyzed my body (available in Spanish too). Living with a disability can sometimes be challenging, if we allow it to be. This workshop shares a life altering experience highlighting a battle with Guillain Barre Syndrome and how it helped push me to see the World through a different lens while still knowing it can come back into my life at any time.
- The simple steps to succeeding in college. Students sometimes struggle during their first semester of college due to the unexpected change in teaching style, attendance, and participation. This workshop will highlight some very simple, yet critical techniques that will help our students succeed both inside and outside of the classroom.
Upcoming Events
Pictures of Ernesto Mejia
