In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Fleishman Center interviewed alumnus Nathaniel Perez, currently serving as a Program Manager in the New York City healthcare field. Nathaniel reflected on their cultural upbringing, the journey of finding a sense of belonging during their time as a Binghamton student, and how their heritage continues to shape and inspire their work today.
How has your cultural background influenced your professional journey or leadership style?
Growing up in a Puerto Rican household, I didn’t have access to many role models who had gone to college. My parents never finished middle school, and I often felt like I was overachieving with the limited resources I had. I struggled with confidence and experienced imposter syndrome early on at Binghamton. Being a Latino pursuing an engineering degree in 2015 felt isolating. However, I found my community through my fraternity, La Unidad Latina, Lambda Upsilon Lambda, and professional organizations like the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE). Being surrounded by like-minded individuals from similar backgrounds gave me the courage and confidence to succeed at Binghamton and later in my career.
If you could go back and tell your college self one thing about careers, what would it be?
Follow your gut. It’s easy to get caught up in trends, follow what friends are doing, or chase what seems popular at the moment. But you should pursue what truly interests you and where you can make an impact. My path wasn’t linear, starting in healthcare with an engineering degree and moving into a corporate role, but I enjoyed the work, which made the challenges easier to overcome.
Have you had a mentor who helped shape your journey? How did that relationship come about, and what advice did they give you?
When I started in my latest role, I had an incredible mentor who invested in every aspect of my growth. Whether guiding me through the political bureaucracy of an organization or helping me write recommendation letters for graduate school, she genuinely wanted to see me succeed both personally and professionally. She was also a Latina, and watching her rise through the corporate ladder to the position she holds today was truly inspiring. One piece of advice she gave me that has always stayed with me was about people: seek out opportunities to work with and be surrounded by good people. Titles and pay may come and go, but finding yourself on a great team is far more valuable and far rarer.
How did you find or create a sense of belonging on campus as a Hispanic/Latinx student? How have you built community in your workplace or industry today?
At Binghamton, I battled imposter syndrome and isolation, but I built a sense of belonging through my fraternity and organizations like SHPE. Those communities gave me support, confidence, and lifelong connections. Today, I continue building community through iMentor, where I mentor high school students from underrepresented backgrounds as they transition to trade school or college. I aim to provide the resources and mentorship I wish I had during my own journey.
What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you personally or professionally? Is there a quote, proverb, or saying from your culture that inspires you?
Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate our achievements, culture, and community. We come from diverse backgrounds, yet we’re united by shared pride in our roots and the progress we’ve made. Recognizing this not only honors our past but also motivates us to pave the way for the next generation. A saying that inspires me is: “Si se puede” (“Yes, it can be done”).
Are you involved in any employee resource groups (ERGs), professional organizations, or Latinx networks? How have those helped you?
I’ve been part of Lambda Upsilon Lambda, the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, and Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT). These networks have been invaluable for mentorship, career growth, and connecting with others who share similar values and experiences.
