¡Hola! Mi nombre es Alejandra Alarcón, and I’m a third-year Spanish and Chicana/o Studies double major at Loyola Marymount University. I do an awful lot around campus, and I’m going to take this opportunity to tell you a little bit about it.

First, an introduction to one of my main characters: Shawn Rios is my best friend, and like every best friend he is usually running around with me as I try to conquer this campus. It’s great, really, because he stops me from losing my sanity. He’s a great dancer, and I absolutely love hearing him play the piano. He’s really witty, and he has one of the best laughs I have ever heard. Disneyland? We practically live there – oh, and I’ll never miss an opportunity to people-watch with him either. The best thing about Shawn is that he’s always there – to drive me home from school when I’m too tired, to be the first to say “Don’t do that, you’re going to regret it…” (and to be the first to say “I told you so!” too), etc. What more could you possibly want or need from a best friend?

…but Shawn doesn’t need another spotlight. Here’s to ME!

• I’m an active member of RESILIENCE, a coalition of undocumented students and allies within the university community that form a camaraderie of people connected by shared experiences, struggles, and successes. We encourage people from all backgrounds to support the advancement of immigrant communities and immigrant students such as equal access to education for all
• I am the current Chair of Development for El Espejo. El Espejo is a mentoring program that serves the students of Lennox Middle School. I drive down to Lennox Middle School every Wednesday and work with my two mentees, Jasmine and Astrid – they’re awesome! I’ve been working with them for over a year now, and there’s definitely a strong bond between us. As Chair of Development, I coordinate efforts to further foster our relationship with Lennox Middle School and the surrounding communities.
• I am a Student Intern in the Office of Undergraduate Admission. I work under the Latino Student Recruitment division, and I’m the lead student coordinator for the Latino Scholars Day and Latino Overnight programs. I’ve been working here since Day 1 of college.
• I was recently appointed Chicana/o Studies Liaison for MEChA de LMU. This requires me to sit in on the Chicana/o Studies faculty meetings which is pretty cool because it gives me the opportunity to see our professor in a different light. I’m responsible for maintaining the bridge between MEChA de LMU and the Chicana/o Studies Department, and I’m still trying to figure out what exactly that entails…
• I am the current Chair of the Undergraduate Caucus for MALCS. Jessica Baden and I got the opportunity to attend the MALCS Summer Institute at UC Santa Barbara this past July. I presented a paper entitled “Virgen de Guadalupe: Empowerment and Liberation for Chicanas and Latinas” (first time I conducted original research; making sense out of it and then presenting it was such a nerve-wrecking experience). A special thanks to the Chicana/o Studies department for making this experience possible.
• I will be leading Alternative Break: Ecuador this upcoming March. I’m currently working with the other Alternative Break leaders in fostering a program that moves away from mere voluntourism and strives for true social justice. I am a strong believer in that knowledge acquired through experience is the best kind, and I’m hoping to lead a trip that is life-changing for myself and my participants alike.
• I am a member of the First to Go program. First to Go is a source of academic support for all students who identify as “first-generation”. First to Go currently fosters several programs such as Staff/Faculty Mentorship, F2G English 110, LIBA 170 & 171, F2G Learning Community (for first-year students), and F2G Writing Community – I took part of the Writing Community; I wrote an extended narrative of my life and presented it at Library Pub Night last semester – pretty cool, right? I’m currently working with Danelle Dyckhoff and Shawn Rios to develop a new branch of First to Go: Commuter Exchange. The program aims to provide support for commuter students so that they may feel comfortable within the larger university community – we haven’t quite figured everything out, but it’s going to be awesome. A big THANK YOU to Dr. La’Tonya Rease Miles for all the hard work she puts in all she does.

I know that seems like a lot, but would you believe that it isn’t everything I do? Taking classes in Spanish & Chicana/o Studies is challenging, but I consider class to be the easier aspect of my college experience. I know it may seem a little rash but I am a firm believer in that the most important kind of learning is done outside the classroom, and taking on additional roles that extend beyond student are necessary for a fully enriching college experience. I am passionate about everything I do, and I know that means that I am passionate about a lot of things but that’s okay – simplemente es mi forma de ser (: