Be the Change: Jeremiah Derival, Class of 2028
If you told 17-year-old Jeremiah Derival that he would attend East Stroudsburg University and pursue a career in teaching, he probably would have looked at you "kind of crazy."
Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Jeremiah moved to East Stroudsburg during high school. Like many students, he planned to leave home for college. He applied to several universities across Pennsylvania and New York and was accepted to many of them. ESU was not at the top of his list.
"What made the decision to go to ESU was the family," Jeremiah said. "You step foot on campus, and you feel that family-oriented type of vibe."
That sense of belonging made a difference. Faculty members of the College of Education welcomed him. They saw him not just as a student, but as an individual with potential. Instead of feeling overwhelmed, Jeremiah felt known.
He did not begin as an education major. He initially enrolled in accounting. But after reflecting on his own experiences growing up, he realized he wanted to become the kind of teacher he did not always see in his own classrooms.
"I just didn't see a lot of role models and teachers that looked like me or talked the way I talked or came from where I came from," he said. "Why not be the change that I didn't have when I was younger?"
Now an early childhood education major, Jeremiah is involved across campus. He serves as a Student Government Association senator and participates in organizations including the Men of Color Alliance, MANA, Aspiring Educator Pathway Project initiatives, and the College of Education Dean's Council. He credits mentors, friends, and the College of Education faculty for helping him navigate challenges and stay focused.
As a recipient of both the APSCUF Annual Scholarship and the Michael '93 and Marni '93 Murphy Educational Endowed Scholarship, Jeremiah understands the impact of donor support.
"It's an honor," he said. "Someone I've never met is giving me the scholarship to fulfill my dream of being a teacher and educate the youth."
Jeremiah plans to graduate in 2028. After gaining classroom experience, he hopes to one day become a principal. For now, he is focused on preparing to lead, teach, and inspire the next generation.
Stories like Jeremiah's are made possible by alumni, faculty, staff, and friends who choose to invest in students and their futures.
On April 1 and 2, join us for Giving Day and help create the next story for students like Jeremiah.