As a Hispanic-Serving Institution, ASU is home to thousands of first-generation Latino students. Among them, three stand out as leaders in their fields who are working toward serving their community and honoring their culture.
Alexis Alba is a senior studying psychology, political science and family and human development. Alba is from Lake Havasu City, but his family has roots from Zacatecas, Mexico. As one of seven children, Alba learned the value of having a good education from his older sisters.
As a full-time student, he’s been able to explore his interests by taking opportunities such as being a learning assistant for the Student Success in The College course. The class helps transition first-year students into college.
“ASU was a whole different ball game, and I’m so glad I got into that program as well, and just really being able to guide kids right on their college journey, especially those that don’t have the resources or they’re first gen or even out of state,” Alba said. “That’s a whole different battle for them. So definitely being able to be that kind of cheerleader.”
Alba said when he took the course the teaching assistants didn’t interact with the class much. Now, as a senior learning assistant his role is to ensure more audience engagement between the assistants and students.
Beyond the classroom, he was able to combine his leadership and communication skills on a study abroad program in Merida, Mexico. Alba served as a psychology intern, helping children from kindergarten to high school while observing their learning environments.
Briseida Sanchez, a senior studying political science and transborder Chicana/o and Latina/o studies, makes her mark as she lands her most recent role of events and fundraisers coordinator for the College Assistance Migrant Program Organization of Students.
CAMPOS at ASU aims to spread awareness of labor rights, advocacy and other issues that relate to the agricultural working community.
Having grown up in a Latino agricultural working community in Yuma, Sanchez uses her role to reflect on her own experience.
Since high school, Sanchez has been involved with nonprofits that focus on the well-being and improving the socioeconomic status of field workers.
Sanchez feels a personal connection to this industry as both of her parents have worked in it.
She wanted to step up as one of the leading members of the CAMPOS club, and bring more awareness to other things that tie to the farmworker job itself, such as the health risks.
Sanchez said she could have benefited from joining more organizations like CAMPOS her first year. She reflects on the realization that there is more Latino representation on campus than she originally thought.
“I didn’t realize how many professors have a similar background of their parents (who) were also agricultural workers and it’s so cool because you feel represented,” Sanchez said.
Yazil Velazquez, a junior studying marketing, is the student relations director of the Hispanic Business Students Association.
As a first-generation Latino student coming from Glendale to Tempe, Yazil said it was a culture shock as he was used to being around the Hispanic community. When he arrived at ASU he knew he needed to find that community again.
After attending his first general meeting with HBSA he knew he found his people: people who could connect with him on a deeper level.
Being able to make lifelong friends at this organization helped him feel less alone. It motivated him to keep pushing through as he battled financial struggles during his first year at ASU.
Yazil received the President’s Scholarship along with one from HBSA, but it was not enough to cover his housing expenses.
His position at HBSA opened up doors to opportunities, internships and scholarships. He was able to secure an internship with the Programming and Activities Board Tempe, a student-led organization that organizes activities on the Tempe campus.
Velazquez also holds close ties with the other Latino clubs such as El Concilio.
Velazquez is passionate about being a role model for the Latino community to represent the possibility of achieving the Mexican-American dream.
“I want to become that role model because (at the) end of the day, we have to see more people up in those positions, minority groups in those higher positions,” Velazquez said.
Edited by Natalia Rodriguez, Emilio Alvarado and Sophia Keeling.
Reach the reporter at mdzermen@asu.edu.
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Maritza ZermenoLa Prensa Spanish Reporter
Maritza Zermeno is a part-time Spanish reporter for La Prensa at The State Press. This is her first semester with The State Press; she is studying English with a certificate in Health and Wellness.
