As part of University of the Pacific’s 175th anniversary celebration, alumnus and former NASA astronaut Jose Hernández ’84 will share his story of perseverance as the featured speaker for this fall’s Pacific Presidential Speaker Series.

Hernández will join Scott Biedermann '05, '20, vice president for development and alumni relations, in conversation in Faye Spanos Concert Hall on the Stockton Campus Nov. 5 from 7 to 8 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Those interested in attending can register online.

Hernandez’s inspirational life story was the subject of the 2023 Amazon Prime original film, “A Million Miles Away.” The film follows Hernandez’s journey from migrant farmworker to NASA astronaut.

“We are thrilled to welcome Jose Hernández back to Pacific to share his remarkable story of determination, perseverance and the power of believing in what is possible,” said Biedermann. “Jose’s journey is a powerful reminder that obstacles do not have to define our future. His commitment to returning to Pacific and inspiring the next generation makes his story especially meaningful as we celebrate 175 years of transforming lives through education.”

While Hernandez says the movie took some creative liberties, the story of his determination and overcoming obstacles is one that rings true. 

Raised in a farming family from Mexico, Hernandez learned English when he was 12. He graduated high school in Stockton and attended Pacific through the Community Involvement Program, which provides scholarships and support for first-generation college students from Stockton. He earned a degree in electrical engineering from Pacific and went on to earn a master’s degree from University of California, Santa Barbara.

After working with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, he began to pursue his dream of becoming an astronaut. 

Hernandez was rejected 11 times by NASA before being accepted to the astronaut program. He spent 14 days in space in 2009 as a flight engineer aboard Space Shuttle Discovery mission STS-128.

Each time he was rejected by NASA, Hernandez says he learned a new skill and tried again. He credits his determination as the reason he was able to finally go to space. 

Today, Hernandez remains closely connected to Pacific. His initiative, Reaching for the Stars Academy, has taken place at Pacific every summer for about a decade in the School of Engineering and Computer Science. 

He has served as a member of its Board of Regents and often returns for events and opportunities to connect with students, including the Science Blast. The annual event gives fifth-grade students the opportunity to see themselves in a college setting while participating in hands-on workshops throughout campus. 

“The first time I ever stepped on this campus was the day I got accepted to the School of Engineering, and no kid should have to do that,” he said earlier this year at the Science Blast. “I remember we used to drive down Pacific Avenue with my dad, and I would say, ‘what's that tower?’ Burns Tower was my only exposure to the university before I became a student. I want these kids to see themselves in classrooms, see themselves eating lunch, see themselves here in the auditorium, so that we take the mystery out of the university.”

He also continues to give back to the community through the José M. Hernandez Reaching for the Stars Foundation and the Jose M. Hernandez El Concilio Charter School, organizations dedicated to empowering young people to purse their education and professional goals.

Hernandez came full circle with his roots. He still drives a tractor and works on a vineyard with his 89-year-old father, with the only difference being that now, the he owns the tractor and the vineyard.

The Pacific Presidential Speaker Series is an opportunity to hear from top thought leaders on key issues in education and society. Previous speakers include Pulitzer prize-winning musician Gabriela Lena Frank, national higher education thought leader Cathy Davidson, award-winning senior correspondent for PBS NewsHour Judy Woodruff and author Mónica Guzmán. See past speakers.