Student Debt Elephant (Ramon) and "Astronomical Student Loans"

Ramon Trespalacios  Student Body President, Southern Methodist University

At SuccessFunding, we have never had more laughs and fun than with Ramon Trespalacios, Student Body President at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. You may have also seen him in our video comic series, The Student Debt Story as none other than the Elephant. Get to know this hilariously outgoing person by reading the interview below. SF: What is your “personal mission” as SMU’s Student Body President and as an individual? RT: My mission as Student Body President is to create an inclusive environment where every student receives the best college experience possible. My personal mission is to help develop other individuals so they can reach their maximum potential and impact a greater community. SF: How do you believe student loans impact current college students? What effect do they have in the future? RT: Student loans create a burden on students and young professionals. They are impeding people from doing what they love and focusing more in which job would give them more monetary resources for them to pay their loan. I have friends that have told me that they will not be done with their loan payment until the age of 40. At that point it will not only be affecting them individually but those around them, like family members and business partners, just to name a couple. I think it's great that there is a way for students to get a great education but the amount of loans out there is astronomical. SF: Tell us about your role as “The Elephant in the Room.” RT: When I was invited to participate in "The Elephant In the Room" series I was truly excited. Volunteering in such manner aligned with my personal values and I really wanted to spread the word of the great cause SuccessFunding has started. I was really happy to have the opportunity to work with fellow SMU students to create a fun series that communicates a message that should be heard.