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First Gen Family Man, 4.0 Student Leader and Aspiring Radiologist Tech Professional at Hostas CUNY: Meet Proud, Young Father, Jorge Sanz
As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, GlobalMindED is proud to feature Jorge Sanz, a first-generation Hispanic college student whose journey reflects resilience, sacrifice, and the pursuit of purpose. Born and raised in New York with strong family values, Jorge’s turning point came with the birth of his son, Matteo, which inspired him to return to school and pursue a career in healthcare. Now an Honors Student at CUNY Hostos with a 4.0 GPA in the Radiologic Technology program, Jorge exemplifies the dedication, perseverance, and service to community that Hispanic Heritage Month uplifts and honors.
This month, he will serve as a delegate for CUNY Hostos at the GlobalMindED United Nations/FSUN Event on October 20, furthering his dedication to leadership and service on a global scale.
Tell us about your personal journey.
My name is Jorge Sanz, and I’m currently a Radiologic Technology student at CUNY Hostos. My journey truly began when my son, Matteo Sanz, was born. I chose a path that I believe to be respectable and decided to return to school. Since then, I’ve maintained a 4.0 GPA, became an Honors Student, and found the Radiologic Technology (RADTECH) program to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. While I enjoy the hard work it takes to earn great grades, I’m also fascinated by the fact that X-rays are man-made and how we use them to image patients. The science paired with empathic care felt like the right fit for me.
What pivotal experiences shaped your current path?
Prior to enrolling at CUNY Hostos, the birth of my son was my turning point—I chose to do better. After researching radiologic technology, I learned that the degree integrates anatomy, physics, and math—subjects I enjoy—and offers a clear path to a professional role within three years. Despite its challenges, the RADTECH program reinforces the profession’s altruistic core—ethical practice, respect for patient dignity, and vigilant radiation safety—values I choose to embody.
What are the most valuable lessons you've learned through your work?
Some of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned are that consistent hard work compounds—manage responsibilities daily, and the results will follow. Big goals require sacrifice; I’ve traded free time and comfort to stay on track. Carry yourself with honor and integrity—do the right thing when no one’s watching, and allies will appear. Study efficiently: focus on fundamentals, build systems, test yourself, and iterate. Learn the profession, not just the exam—master the physics, anatomy, workflow, and communication that make every image safe and diagnostic. These lessons shape how I learn, work, and lead.
What drives your desire to contribute and make a difference?
What drives my desire to contribute and make a difference is my personal motto: “I can, because I am; therefore, I do,” adapted from René Descartes’ “Cogito, ergo sum” (“I think, therefore I am”). I believe we have a moral obligation to live to our fullest potential—especially in the healthcare profession. The world needs qualified healthcare professionals, and I work every day to meet that standard.
What are your highest hopes for democracy to unite, uplift, and inspire?
My highest hope for democracy is one led by selfless stewards, not short-term marketers—leaders who optimize for the next century, not the next cycle. We need decision-makers who measure success by lives improved over decades, setting policies that benefit the most people for the longest time—in the U.S. and across the world. This requires forward-thinking problem solvers who align incentives so the common good wins elections, establish 10–100-year impact commitments with real accountability, and build coalitions around education, public health, resilient infrastructure, and ethical technology—ensuring that progress outlasts elections.
How can GlobalMindED support leaders like yourself in achieving your goals and advancing your aspirations?
In practice, I want leaders who invest in people and systems that outlast them: scholarships tied to service, preventative health and disaster readiness, clean and reliable energy, and responsible innovation that protects human dignity. If we reward this kind of leadership, democracy can unite, uplift, and inspire—not by slogans, but by results that endure for our children and theirs.
Here’s what would move the needle for leaders like me:
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Targeted scholarships: Fund degree completion and advanced study.
- Clinical-to-career pipeline: Partner with hospitals, and NGOs to place graduates where need is greatest—rural/underserved areas, disaster zones, and conflict-affected humanitarian settings.
- Leader shadowships: Create a selective program where students shadow senior decision-makers for a defined sprint, with pre-briefs, deliverables, and debriefs to translate observation into skills.
- Accountability & scale: Track outcomes and expand what works via public–private partnerships.
- With these supports, I can advance faster, serve where I’m needed most, and multiply impact through patient care, mentorship, and systems improvement.
Contact Jorge Sanz and learn more about CUNY Hostos Community College
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