Journal du Club des Cordeliers - First-Generation Latino Students Lead Community Empowerment at ASU

Arizona State University (ASU) has long been recognized as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, a designation that reflects its large population of Latino students. Among the thousands who call ASU home, a distinct group of first-generation college students is emerging as influential leaders, using their academic trajectories to advocate for their communities and honor their cultural heritage.

These students are not merely navigating higher education in isolation; they are actively constructing support networks that address the specific challenges faced by first-generation learners. Through mentorship, organizational leadership, and professional development, they are working to ensure that future students from similar backgrounds find success where they once struggled.

Alexis Alba, a senior majoring in political science, psychology, and family and human development, exemplifies this commitment through direct student engagement. Originally from Lake Havasu City with family roots in Zacatecas, Mexico, Alba is one of seven siblings who learned the value of education early on.

As a full-time student, Alba has moved beyond traditional coursework to take on significant leadership roles within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. He serves as a learning assistant for the "Student Success" course, a program designed to help first-year students adapt to university life. His role involves fostering greater interaction between teaching assistants and students, addressing a gap he identified when he was previously a student in the class.

"ASU was a completely different experience, and I am very glad to have had the opportunity to enter that program as well," Alba said. "It has allowed me to guide students on their university path, especially those who do not have the necessary resources, those who are first-generation, or those who come from other states." He noted that for these students, the journey is a distinct challenge, and serving as a source of encouragement has been a significant part of his educational experience.

Alba’s leadership extends beyond the Tempe campus. During a study abroad program in Mérida, Mexico, he worked as a psychology intern supporting children from kindergarten through high school. In this role, he observed learning environments and applied psychological principles to support youth development, further broadening his understanding of educational equity.

Briseida Sanchez, also a senior, focuses her leadership on labor rights and agricultural advocacy. Majoring in political science and Chicano and Latino Border Studies, Sanchez recently assumed the role of events and fundraising coordinator for the College Assistance Migrant Program Organization of Students (CAMPOS) at ASU.

CAMPOS is dedicated to raising awareness about labor rights, worker advocacy, and issues affecting agricultural communities. For Sanchez, this work is deeply personal. She grew up in a Latino community of agricultural workers in Yuma, Arizona, and her parents have both worked in the industry.

Sanchez has been involved with nonprofits focused on improving the socioeconomic conditions of farmworkers since high school. Her position at CAMPOS allows her to expand the conversation beyond basic labor rights to include health risks associated with agricultural work.

Reflecting on her own college journey, Sanchez noted that she would have benefited from earlier involvement in organizations like CAMPOS. She also expressed surprise at the level of representation she found on campus. "I didn't realize how many professors had a background similar to mine, whose parents were also farmworkers," Sanchez said. "It is very nice because you feel represented."

Yazil Velazquez, a junior marketing major and director of student relations for the Hispanic Business Students Association (HBSA), represents the intersection of cultural identity and professional ambition. A resident of Tempe originally from Glendale, Velazquez faced a significant cultural shift upon arriving at ASU.

Accustomed to living within a tight-knit Hispanic community, Velazquez initially struggled with a sense of isolation. However, attending his first HBSA general meeting provided the connection he sought. He found peers with whom he could connect on a deeper level, forming lifelong friendships that helped him navigate economic difficulties during his freshman year.

While Velazquez received the President’s Scholarship at ASU and additional funding from HBSA, these awards were insufficient to cover all housing expenses. His active role in HBSA opened doors to professional opportunities and further scholarships, including an internship with the Programming and Activities Board Tempe, a student organization that coordinates campus activities.

Velazquez maintains connections with other Latino organizations, such as El Concilio, but his primary focus remains on professional representation. He aims to serve as a role model for the Latino community, demonstrating that the Mexican-American dream is attainable through education and networking.

"I want to become that example because in the end of the day, we need to see more people in those positions, people who come from minority groups occupying high-level jobs," Velazquez said.

The efforts of Alba, Sanchez, and Velazquez highlight a broader trend at ASU: first-generation Latino students are not just beneficiaries of institutional support but are active architects of the university’s community landscape. By leveraging their unique backgrounds, they are creating pathways for others while addressing systemic gaps in resources, representation, and professional access.

M.Durand--JdCdC