Real and Imagined Conversations with Yolanda Zepeda

Victor M. Tenorio, Undergraduate, Nursing

Yolanda: Victor, you stand at the threshold of your future. Ohio State has been part of your life almost as long as you have been conscious. Now you are ready to lead. That must be thrilling. How has your time with YSP (APL, ODI, your time as a Buckeye) shaped your identity and your sense of mission?

Victor Tenorio : I have spread my net wide, encompassing as many corners of the university as possible. Beginning with my transformative time in MUNDO, to pledging Alpha Psi Lambda National Fraternity Inc., to my induction into SPHINX. My time as a mentor for James L. Moore III Scholars Program, the Young Scholars Program, and the Latinx Success team. My short-lived time in Dr. Timiya Nolan’s research lab, to the month-long education abroad in Zambia, and many more experiences. My time at Ohio State has been filled with abundance and indescribable growth. As a child growing up in North Philadelphia, I never would have dreamed of the things I have seen and experienced during these last five years of my life. My identity is a culmination of these unique life experiences, and the connections I have fostered over the years with a wide array of folks. My mission has only been enhanced by my time at Ohio State. I know who I am, and what I am wanting to achieve.

When you look behind you, at those you are inspiring, those from your extended family and neighborhood, do you feel like all of your work was worth it? What does your incredible journey mean for them?

When I was younger, I thought everywhere looked like my neighborhood in Philly. Just endless rows of homes tightly compacted together. Parks with little to no grass or trees. Corner stores on every corner. It wasn’t until I moved to Youngstown, Ohio that I realized: the world is much bigger than the small communities we come from. Spending my formidable years in Youngstown truly opened my eyes to a lot of cracks in our society. Before I enrolled in college, my family lived in public housing, also called “the projects”. Living in that environment lit a fire under me. I knew I had to try my damnedest in college to escape the generational poverty that plagued my family. My journey is a testament to the collective “village” that raised and guided me. It is proof that we are much more than a statistic if given the right support and access. It is a humbling experience that has shown me that there is plenty of work to be done to create true justice and equity for the next generation.

What about when you attend your patients? Do you feel a sense of mission?

I think it is a bit early to tell if it has been worth it. While my degree has provided me with insurmountable education and knowledge, that is only the start. I feel as if my mission has just begun. I have a lot more I would like to accomplish. It will be worth it when the system begins to change for the better. It will be worth it when my communities no longer suffer health care disparities outside of their control. When all people have access to medical care, especially preventive care!

What gift of wisdom or inspiration will be your Ohio State legacy?

I would love to shout out to those who have helped me along the way! In no particular order: Evelin N.R., Yvette V., Isaac A., Keaisia H., Leslie L., Dawn C., Rachel C., Johanna C., Yolanda Z., Lauren L., Frankie A.S., Victoria A., Jesse F., Elianis O., Faith M., Aarhea H., Zachary W., Rayonna B., Reynaldo V., and many more. You all inspired me in many ways, possessing qualities and attributes I deeply admire. I will cherish the memories and friendship we forged here at The Ohio State University.

Victor Tenorio

Victor Tenorio