A Dream Takes Shape: Dayris Hernandez’s Journey to Embryology

One student, one committed mentor and a journey that shows the power of opportunity

When Dayris Hernandez first came to DC as a high school senior, she was extraordinarily shy. Getting her to open up wasn’t easy, and imagining the confident young scientist she would become might have seemed a long way off.

But sometimes the right support at the right moment can help change the course of a young person’s life.

That year, a relatively new DC volunteer, Susan Roher, began working with Dayris. Susan patiently guided her through the college application process and helped her—and herself—understand the opportunities available through Educational Opportunity Programs (EOP).

Their hard work paid off. Dayris was accepted to Stony Brook University through EOP, opening a door that might otherwise have remained closed. Susan agreed to continue as Dayris’s mentor, a commitment she took seriously throughout Dayris’s college journey.

It wasn’t always an easy journey. Dayris faced significant challenges during college, including being estranged from her family for much of that time. But she persevered.

This year, Dayris graduated from Stony Brook University with a B.S. in Biology, specializing in Developmental Genetics. And now, she has achieved something even more exciting: she has landed her dream job.

Dayris has long wanted to become an embryologist. She has now been hired by the Weill Cornell Center for Reproductive Medicine as a Clinical Lab Specialist in the Embryology Lab—an extraordinary first step toward the career she envisioned for herself.

For Susan, the news was especially meaningful.

“So amazing for this really shy kid with little confidence,” she shared. “I’m so proud to share her tale.”

We are, too.

Dayris’s story is a wonderful reminder of what can happen when a determined student is given access to opportunity—and when a caring adult is willing to stay beside her, encourage her and believe in where she can go.

Congratulations, Dayris. We can’t wait to see what comes next.



Dayris Hernandez
Cooney Scholar ’22
Stony Brook University ’26
B.S. Biology — Developmental Genetics